Punch Me I'm Irish!

Australia has once again defeated Ireland convincingly in the International Rules test series. Some will ask the question however; but at what cost?

To think that this is the bloody end of International Rules would be an assumption of naivity. After last years bloodthirsty victory by the Aussies, the future of the hybrid Gaelic/Aussie code was at stake with Irish complaints and threats of pulling out. It was thought that the Aussies should go over there this year with a calmer frame of mind and hold their punches. This wasn't the case.

From the moment Brendon Fevola got back on that plane after exile from the Emerald Isle it seemed as though the continuation of these tests was going to be a gloomy prospect. This morning's deciding match between the two nations (which Australia won by 38 points and the series by 30 aggregate), would seem like the final nail in the Leprakauns coffin.

Not the case

Even though players were sent off left right and centre. Even though two Irish stars were hospitalised. Even though a bloody brawl broke out so quickly that the commencing whistle was still ringing in the crowds ears.......The show will go on folks.

It has to

The exposure that both Aussie Rules and Gaelic Football gain from this event is priceless. Players of both sports get the opportunity to represent their country, something that an AFL footballer never had the chance to do 10 years ago. For players of Gaelic, it gives them a chance to play sport on the big stage, you see the GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) is an amateur organisation and does not pay it's players, they all have full-time jobs, something that an AFL footballer has not had to worry about since the 1980's.

While I'm proud that us Aussies won, and in emphatic fashion, we've also gained a poor repuation in the sporting arena for our brutal tactics. Come on, let's be realistic here, it's a contact sport, if you can't take the heat, bail out of the kitchen folks. Plus it's in my personal opinion that we weren't the only team on the field playing dirty. The Irish are well known for their love of a good fight, where do you think we as Australians got that trait from? After all, Australia does have a rich cultural past linked to the Irish. (Pre-1950's Fremantle is a great example)

All I can say is that this competition will go on next year, and it will be bigger than ever. It'll be a best out of three series (finally) and, because of the controversy this year, will gain a massive audience.

Commiserations to the Irish, you played brilliantly and I respect you, along with most other Australians. Well done once again to the Aussies who played hard and were rewarded.

Long live International Rules!