This Hybrid Irish Experimental Game

What struck me in looking at these 2 games of Gaelic hybrid footy is that the Irish have a far greater skill level with the round ball than the AFL blokes.

I guess that is no surprise, and it seems the AFL think that higher fitness and strength levels will allow them to match the Irish.

I don't reckon that is the case, at least not any more.
The Irish seem to have picked up in the fitness / strength department whereas the Aussies seem to have gone backwards in the their use of the round ball.

What seems the most prevalent, is the question of relevance of this game.
Whilst our fellas no doubt love wearing national colours, in the only outing that they can, our quest seems flawed by preparation that isn't full tilt.

A lot of the best players are, understandably off on holiday or end of season medical sabbaticals.
Those that put their hand up aren't really able to adequately practice the intricacies of this Irish game.
Despite what appear to be minor rule modifications or concessions to our blokes, we are effectively playing their game.

That Tadgh Kennelly won the MVP is also no surprise. He brings the best of both worlds together. Skill, fitness, stength.

Like State of Origin footy and the Foxtel Cup experiment, this game will never be allowed to develop into a full tilt even contest with satisfactory preparation. The AFL has consigned these contests to mere sideshow sidelines, to fill a perceived void.

To that end, what do they hope for playing at Carrara? Is this some concession to drum up interest from Gold Coast resident footy converts? I am not convinced that this Irish game is worth continuing.

Maybe the phrase, "what you can't do well, don't do at all" should be applied here.

Firstly let me say that I haven't watched it for a few years now as it holds no interest for me or my wife, it isn't Aussie rules.

The team that was selected this year was made up of second tier players as the best players were not interested in playing. This does not surprise me as after a long season of AFL i'm sure that all players are looking for a rest, I'm sure it is written in the players contracts that they are entitled to 8 weeks off after each season and I would think this would be the reason players can't be forced to play this silly game.

Lastly according to paper reports, the Australian team knowing that they weren't going to win early in the second half of the game reverted to the biffo instead of playing the ball, this to me is so pathetic and un Australian and an embarrassment-----Can the whole thing, and just enjoy a rest at the end of each season.

Its Crap

Interestingly watching the Hybrid game over the years has given me an appreciation of true Gaelic Football. Its a pity that the Irish club games are not on TV here as it clearly would be a good competition to follow!

Interesting in today's paper, McDermott's commentary also lambasting this as a waste of time too.

Not that I am overly moved by his opinions generally, but it seems that he, among others are calling for an end to the farce.

If as he suggests, the players more look forward to the tour of Ireland, because of an opportunity to attend some dubious nightclub, then there is your indictment on this concept in one.

Time to kill the whole thing now methinks.

The only thing that would work in the future IF they did it properly would be State of Origin - 3 games of Vic vs SA and stuff the rest.

Anything else is a complete waste of time.

Foxtel Cup has its merits (I have to back my own idea here) but they got it so f***ing wrong it wasn't funny.