International Rules

Two days prior to the scheduled start of round one, the AFL advised all leagues and Auskick centers across the country. that all activities and operations will be postponed until the end of May. The recommendation also applies to AFL community matches, AFL community training sessions and face to face AFL, WAFC (West Australian football) and SANFL (South Australian) education courses. Among the affected programs affected are the Rio Tinto program, the Bachar Houli programs, the junior Boomerang team, the international cup, and wheelchair league.

in a statement released by the AFL, the league is "... determined to be part of the ... response to slow the COVID-19 virus down and ... help the broader community and our health systems manage the situation as effectively as possible."

Coverage of the International Rules series between Ireland and Australia is on PremierSports TV (only) in the US (and probably Canada, too). It is available via online payment or at many Irish bars and pubs which carry Irish sports. There are two matches; October 19 and 26 at 2 PM EDT (delayed not live if the time they provided is correct). Go to

http://www.premiumsports.tv/

or call (415) 400-4869 for more info. Cost is $14.99 per match and online at Ustream TV. The AFL has confirmed be no coverage on AFL-TV or Australian radio for North American fans. See

http://www.ustream.tv/internationalrules for more info.

RTÉ from Ireland will provide live radio coverage on RTÉ Radio 1 beginning at 2:45 PM Dublin time (9:45 AM US EDT) . You can listen at this direct link:

http://av.rasset.ie/av/live/radio/radio1.m3u

or via their web player at http://www.rte.ie/radio/radioplayer/rteradiowebpage.html

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Once a year, an indigenous all-star team takes on one of the AFL teams in an exhibition game. Earlier this year, senior indigenous players from across the AFL approached the League requesting more opportunities to play together as a team. As a result, the AFL has announced that the 2013 team which will play Ireland in the international Series in Ireland will be made up of all indigenous players. AIS-AFL Academy Head Coach and former Sydney Swans games record holder Michael O’Loughlin will coach the side, with the senior coaching panel to be made up of Rodney Eade, Tadhg Kennelly and Andrew McLeod.

After losing the last series in 2008, Australia has reclaimed bragging rights over Ireland with a hard-fought three point win in the second game. Ireland played a more aggressive attacking game this time round, laying a number of tackles but the Australians held firm even when under siege in the final term.

Mick Malthouse, fresh from coaching Collingwood to the 2010 AFL Premiership, had little or no time to relax afterward as he began preparations for the Australian team to play against Ireland in the International Rules Series.

Ireland got off to a slow start and, according to their coach, opted to kick the ball more than use their hands. Australian players ran in groups to stymie the Irish. Small forwards Eddie Betts and Todd Banfield applied plenty of defensive pressure while veteran Dustin Fletcher repelled a number of Irish attacks to help put the game in Australia's keeping.

(Updated Tour Brochure added! 05/13/2009)
Voyager Travel of Melbourne has announced a travel and tour package to see the Australia v Ireland matches this coming October to be hosted by Kevin Sheedy.  The tour itinerary includes a tour of Ireland with an option to also cruise in mainland Europe from Prague in the Czech Republic.  American and Canadian residents can join the tour by connecting from flights in the US and Canada.  According to Nathan Feld of Voyager Travel,

We have a new set of match photos posted from the Australia v Ireland International Series second and final match in our gallery. Here are a few samples of the great photos taken by our photojournalists in Melbourne: 

Light rain, heavy scoring

As in years past, the Australians attacked both man and ball. While the Australians tackled hard, they couldn't match the Irish in skill with the ball. Irish star Cavanaugh scored first with a 3 point over. North Melbourne's Campbell earned a free kick within scoring range, but the kick was intercepted by the Irish goalkeeper. The Irish attack continued strongly throughout the first term but all they could manage was six more points. It was enough with Australia's only score coming from Port Adelaide's Daniel Motlop. It was only a point and the Irish had an eight point lead at 1/4 time.