AFL may bring an indigenous team for the International Rules series

What started as a radical idea could become reality after AFL clubs have given cautious support to an indigenous all-star team to play Ireland in the International Series this year.

By Declan Whooley

The Brisbane Times has said that AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou’s radical plan was proposed to the GAA last week and has received the support of indigenous stars Adam Goodes and Lance Franklin as well as tentative support from the clubs.

The AFL are awaiting a response from the GAA – they had hoped to announce the proposal publicly at the weekend – and would be a significant step in Australian sport. Not since the Aboriginal cricket team left Australia's shores to tour England in 1868 has a senior indigenous representative team been selected to play for Australia.

With the International Rules struggling to gain support in Australia, and the number of indigenous players involved in Aussie Rules dropping, it is seen as the perfect way to address both issues.

The paper also adds that the long-term view is that the two International Rules Tests in October could prove a precursor to a tri-series to be held in Australia in 2015 involving indigenous, Gaelic and AFL all-stars sides. Alternatively, the two Australian representative teams could play off for the right to take on the Irish side.

Whatever team the Aussies we select, we doubt they will be lacking any punch for the two games this October.