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What Happens Now?

© Corrina Huxham

So what do Aussie Rules fans do when the AFL premiership was been won (go Brisbane), the Brownlow awarded and the trade talks have been completed? Well we tune into the International Series between Australia and Ireland played at the end of the AFL season. What is this all about I hear you ask? Well I will tell you.

In Australia, the national football code is Australian Rules football. Although it has an international following, and many countries around the world play the game, the AFL is the the game's highest level. The best AFL footballers are selected in a hypothetical All Australian side, but do not actually get to play any body. A similar situation occurs in Ireland, but instead of Aussie Rules, the Irish play Gaelic Football. The best of the Gaelic footballers are unable to represent their country either. This lead to the AFL and the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) getting together to form the International Series.

Besides allowing the best footballers of both games an opportunity to represent their respective countries, the International series provides a greater international exposure for both codes. However, although the games are very similar, they are not entirely the same. To be fair to all players, a hybrid of Aussie Rules and Gaelic football was produced.

The international game has features that are common to both codes, such as fast, slick and accurate movement of the ball by both hand and foot, AFL-style marking contests, no off-side rules (except for the goal keeper as per Gaelic football) and a play on style of game. The tactical approach to both games are very similar in terms of player positioning and set plays for centre clearances, forward attacks and defensive zones. The major differences are that the International game is played with a round ball – a regulation Gaelic football – and it is played on a rectangular field. (Refer to http://www.afl.com.au/irs/contents_6.htm, which shows the playing field when compared to the MCG). This field measures approximately 145m x 90m.

At either end of the playing arena, there are two point posts and two goal posts as with AFL football. However, there is also a crossbar and soccer style net in between the two goal posts as with Gaelic football. A goalkeeper is present to protect the goal area and try to stop goals from being scored. A goal is scored, which is equivalent to six points, when a player kicks or knocks (not hand passing) the ball into the net. If the ball goes between the goal posts and over the crossbar, an “over” is scored. An over is worth three points. A behind or point is scored when the ball goes between the goal and point posts. However, if during the course of play, the ball hits any of the posts and bounces back into play then play on is called and no score is registered. The total number of goals, overs and points are added up, and the team with the highest number of points wins

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