International Rules Summer League

[RICHO: A GOD AMONGST MEN]

(Mods: I think this warrants its own thread rather than be shunted into the soccer v afl one, for even though it's been inspired by the soccer-afl debate, it's primarily about the introduction of an International Rules series over summer which I feel warrants discussion in its own right.)

I am sick to death of soccer fans harping on about now that soccer's arrived, it can assume its "rightful" place as this country's number one code. It probably wouldn't bother me so much if not for the smug and cocky attitude about it all: "Well, how can Aussie Rules possibly stay popular? This is the WORLD game, the BEAUTIFUL game, blah blah blah."

So in light of the supposed threat of soccer on our game, why doesn't the AFL take steps to introduce a league of International Rules over the summer period? I reckon that given the choice, fans would rather watch a free-flowing, high-speed sport over one where most of the time sweet FA happens. If successful, it would put soccer and its legions of crawled-out-of-the-woodwork fans right back in their box.

This league obviously wouldn't involve current AFL players, but would be a new league, started from scratch, though it could include former AFL players to help engender interest.

The game could be structured pretty much like A-League, with teams in each of the major cities, or they could introduce AFL-affiliate clubs (eg, there'd be a Tigers team, Magpies team, etc) similar to what happens with the VFL now. Though I would think that a smallish number of teams (say no more than 8) would be best at the beginning.

Maybe I'm over-estimating its potential, but during the recent Oz-Ireland series, I was amazed not only at the size of the crowd, but also how involved fans got with the action. It was like watching Aussie Rules on fast-forward and the crowd loved it!

Now obviously heat would be a factor over summer, but the games could all be played at night, which would help with boosting interest, sponsorship, etc, as there's f-all else to watch during summer anyway aside from the cricket.

I'm confident that, over time, this series would leave A-League for dead in terms of both ratings and crowd attendances. And if that achieved nothing more than putting all these soccer dildos back from wherever they came, then I'd be a happy man.

Thoughts?

 

[worthy]

Actually not a bad idea, the only problem (well not the only, but a big one non the less) would be getting players skilled enough to be worth watching, most footballers playing at VFL and it's equivalent level would most likely remain in Footy, it would therefore be a 3rd grade standard and attract little media or sponsorship.

 

[*Crash*]

There are plenty of people who already think the AFL is pushing the IR thing a bit too much with some sort of hidden agenda. No doubt this would scare them even more.

 

[Jade's]

Interesting idea and it might work but as someone has already stated it would only be a third rate type of competition.

Besides acknowledging that soccer exists by introducing this competition would be screaming to the world that we are scared.

 

[HavUEvaSeenTheRain]

Could work but i think it would work even better overseas where people have no other sport to follow and would in turn help Aussie rules

 

[Pessimistic]

I did think this would be good but keep it short - less than a month in duration. enough for a summer footy fix but no more

Have some AFL, some VFL, some local and guest Gaelic players - link them to clubs to get some interest. Would need to be really LOW impact to allay injury fears for players

 

[swanster]

The whole basis of IR was to manufacture an international component to both Gaelic and Australian Rules football. Has the playing of IR increased your interest in the Gaelic game? No? Has the playing of IR increased an Irishman's interest in Australian Rules? I'm assuming not with any increase, however minor, being more attributable to Tadhg than IR.

By itself as a stand alone entity, I quite like the IR game. It's got some good aspects. However, knowing its birth as a marketing tool by some marketing tools with plenty of BA in their MBA (Uni of Darwin), I can't help but see it as a contrived piece of fluff that is intended to fool an all-believing public that they're watching something with meaning. When in reality, it's a game no-one plays in either country at any other time. Rolling it out on a grander scale seems more senseless than its existence in the first place. The AFL are so keen to invent an international component but I'm yet to here a convincing argument as to how IR is going to do this.

 

[H Dolphin]

(... why doesn't the AFL take steps to introduce a league of International Rules over the summer period? I reckon that given the choice, fans would rather watch a free-flowing, high-speed sport over one where most of the time sweet FA happens...

Creative thinking but

1. A waste of time unless the best footballers play i.e. the AFL regulars. Australians won't go and watch what they perceive to be second rank performers, exemplified by pura cup and the VFL.

2. The clubs won't agree. The players have to fit in their end of season trip, their break and pre season. Any risk of injury will kill it.

3. Could be trouble with Cricket Australia on the understanding between the two sports that cricket runs in summer nad footy in winter.

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

I'd rather just watch the Northern Territory league on ABC2.