It’s certainly not everyone’s cup of tea but the EirGrid International Rules series is here again and, for the first time in a long time, it’s not fighting for its survival.
Croke Park will host the one-off Test match (7pm) with Ireland looking to regain the Cormac McAnallen cup, lost last year in a 56-46 defeat in Perth, a series played on a single-game basis.
In some regards, the fact that Australia turned up and took it seriously (with an All-Australian selection) saved the hybrid game.
The previous renewal in 2013 in Ireland lay somewhere between a farce and a shambles with the Aussies, represented by an all indigenous side, going down by 101 points over two games.
Even Tadhg Kennelly, an assistant coach with the visitors, admitted that all involved were suitably “embarrassed” by the no-show – and so they should have been.
But now they’ve brought another elite panel, once again under the guidance of four-time Premiership-winning coach Alastair Clarkson, to these shores, via a training camp in New York, looking to keep their trophy.
At this time of year, as discussions arise about the game, it might be tempting to say that people either love it or hate it but that doesn’t ring true.
For the most part, people can take it or leave it – a once-a-year match where players, exposed primarily to domestic audiences, get to represent their country on an international stage – that's only really a threat to the insecure.
When the game is played to its potential – with high fielding, quick passing, tough but fair physical confrontations – it can be a wonderful and unique spectacle; when it’s bad, however, it’s practically unwatchable.
“For us to be able to put on the green jerseys that they wear with such pride, you see the national anthems and the emotion, we’d just love to have that feeling"
The nature of the series means that it’s hard to establish exactly how popular it is among the fans.
Those who dislike it, as with most things, seem to shout that little bit louder to ensure that everyone knows how they feel.
Those who do like it have, in fairness, had little to shout about recently: too much violence or tame tussles led to many unbalanced games down through the years.
But Croke Park was filled to capacity in 2006 and the average attendance since the 1990-1998 hiatus is almost 43,000.
Some, including Matt Connor, who has played the game and been involved with management, have said they would prefer to see more games in the series, giving people a better chance to get behind it.
But did the decision to play it off in a single match save the series, getting the blessing and cooperation of the AFL clubs?
After all, they have the most to lose as they start their pre-season; losing a star player in an exhibition match is a big risk for professional teams. AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan estimates there's probably between 12-15million (Australian) dollars worth of player on this tour.
Maybe the reduction was down to appeasing the big clubs, who might have really baulked at the prospect of the continuation of a two or three-game series.
However, Clarkson has again mooted the possibility of expanding the game into America, wanting to make it a three-team event in the future.
A more viable option is having one (of two) Tests in America, with Australia’s consul-general in New York pushing for it to happen next year.
“If they started planning now and got the Irish agreement I think you could do it in 12 months," Nick Minchin said.
GAA director general Páraic Duffy has also spoken about expansion: "We’re looking at the possibility of playing a game in the United States, possibly in New York.
"The commitment on both sides is set to continue and we’ll look at all possibilities, including reverting to a two-game series."
At the very least, it’s refreshing to see the much-maligned sport being talked up for once, even if the cynic might wonder if it is really about sowing the seeds of a recruiting drive in an rich, untapped region, full of potential talent.
So while many Gaelic games and Aussie Rules fans remain unconvinced by the code but it’s daft to argue that the players don’t want it, nor indeed deserve it.
This year’s Ireland captain, Bernard Brogan, admits he looks on with envy as the soccer and rugby players get to wear the shirt and stand for Amhrán na bhFiann.
“For us to be able to put on the green jerseys that they wear with such pride, you see the national anthems and the emotion, we’d just love to have that feeling and that opportunity,” he said.
Similarly, the fiercely proud Australians only get to showcase their talents on a national stage so this event gives them representative honours.
In an age where the GAA is competing with rugby and soccer for young players, taking away another incentive to stick with Gaelic football makes little sense.
"The Aussies have proven that their top players can adapt quickly to the round ball"
As for the match itself, the Aussies are hot favourites (1/2) to win. Last year’s scoreline hid the fact that the game was over at half-time, with the hosts leading 35-7 before a second-half surge by the Irish made the scoreboard look respectable.
The boys from Down Under have proven that their top players can adapt quickly to the round ball, and Ireland’s shooting woes were, according to Brogan, down to their inability to kick accurately under the threat of the Aussie Rules tackle: “Afraid you’re going to get nailed," was how the 2010 Footballer of the Year put it.
That pressure is not easy to replicate in training so the AFL stars may have the upper hand here again.
The vast majority of the visitors' squad have played the game before and over 14 took part last year.
Ireland have nine current All Stars in their panel so first-time manager Joe Kernan, who led Armagh to All-Ireland glory in 2002, must reckon he has the best team possible, notwithstanding injuries to experienced players like Sean Cavanagh and Michael Murphy.
It will also be the first time since 2005 that Ireland have not picked any current AFL players on the panel.
Even though it’s in better shape than usual, a competitive game is vital to keep the momentum going for the future.
AUSTRALIA
Luke Hodge (c) (Hawthorn), Dustin Fletcher (gk) (Essendon), Hayden Ballantyne (Fremantle), Eddie Betts (Adelaide), Grant Birchall (Hawthorn), Luke Breust (Hawthorn), Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong), Andrew Gaff (West Coast), Brendon Goddard (Essendon), Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide), Dyson Heppell (Essendon), Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn), Leigh Montagna (St Kilda), David Mundy (Fremantle), Robert Murphy (Western Bulldogs), Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda), Tom Rockliff (Brisbane Lions), Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn), Nick Smith (Sydney Swans), Jake Stringer (Western Bulldogs), Harry Taylor (Geelong), Easton Wood (Western Bulldogs).
Coach: Alastair Clarkson (Hawthorn)
IRELAND
Bernard Brogan (c) (Dublin), Lee Keegan (vc) (Mayo), Niall Morgan (gk) (Tyrone), Colm Begley (Laois), Gary Brennan (Clare), Eoin Cadogan (Cork), Mattie Donnelly (Tyrone), Eoin Doyle (Kildare), Peter Harte (Tyrone), Darren Hughes (Monaghan), Paul Kerrigan (Cork), Jack McCaffrey (Dublin), Ciaran McDonald (Tipperary), Phillip McMahon (Dublin), Conor McManus (Monaghan), Rory O'Carroll (Dublin), John O'Loughlin (Laois), Aidan O'Shea (Mayo), Michael Quinn (Longford), Donnchadh Walsh (Kerry), Diarmuid Connolly (Dublin), Paul Cribbin (Kildare), Paddy McBrearty (Donegal).
Coach: Joe Kernan (Armagh)
In the event of a draw, no extra time will be played. Australia, as holders, will retain the cup. Tickets are available here.
Ireland v Australia is live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player from 7pm, with radio commentary on RTÉ Radio 1 and a live blog on RTE.ie.
