Plea to keep Rules alive

The Australian man responsible for inventing the International Rules series has made a plea to keep it alive.

"Reading some of the comments it seems our two great fun-loving people are now at each others throats," Harry Beitzel said. "I can't believe it. Surely to any thinking fan we need each other to develop our International Tests and keep our games competitive against the world-wide football codes of soccer and rugby."

In 1967, Harry Beitzel put up £10,000 (Irish pounds) to fund two Test matches between Ireland, represented by All-Ireland champions Meath, and Australia in Croke Park. The tourists comfortably won both games.

"It became the 'Impossible Dream' - the Mount Everest of all football challenges," said Beitzel. "First to get the GAA to take me seriously and issue an official invitation to play the 1967 All-Ireland Champions, Meath, at your Gaelic game, your rules, your round ball and your referee (Paul Kelly) and secondly for me to fund the venture.

"My 'dream' was ridiculed in Ireland, but even worse in Australia where the top sportswriter called us 'The Galahs', which is a demeaning term for a bunch of 'idiots'. It would prove nothing playing any team other than your Ireland champions. So I pursued the 'dream' and eventually, after a cheeky 'telegram' challenge of a £10,000 Irish pounds 'winner takes all', the GAA agreed to the match."

Beitzel's appeal coincided with statements by AFL development manager David Matthews, who hopes the hybrid game can continue next year as it remains a significant benefit - especially the junior series - in the development of players. The under-17 international has also provided the ideal environment for AFL clubs to headhunt Irish talent like Tadhg Kennelly, Martin Clarke and Colm Begley.

Matthews stated the junior series is a rite of passage for aspiring AFL professionals, but dissolving it would not be a complete disaster. "There are other ways we think we could satisfy that requirement, and there are options we could look at, but it is a very important component and we look at it as something that's necessary because it gives the young players such a great experience."

The AFL have been developing their game in South Africa in recent years and if the relationship with the GAA was to end, they could focus all their energies on that evolving project.