State games could pick up IR slack
By Ben Broad
6:54 PM Wed 29 October, 2008
STATE of Origin football could be right back on the AFL’s radar after the League and the GAA announced the International Rules series will have a break at least once every three years in the future.
While AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou and GAA president Nickey Brennan were talking up next year’s return trip to Ireland, a break in 2010 and again in 2013 will open up some space on the AFL calendar.
And Demetriou admitted representative football could come back into calculations.
“I started to think about that sort of option when we agreed that it would be better to have a two-year cycle (in the International Rules Series),” Demetriou said.
“I mean we’re obviously concerned about player welfare issues and the drain on the number of games all our players are playing.
“The fact that they can look forward to going to Ireland next year, then have a break and then in 2011 resume in Australia, 2012 Ireland then have another break, we think has got some advantages.”
This year the AFL played a Hall of Fame Tribute Match to celebrate its 150th year.
State of Origin football has been in hiatus since 1999 but, Demetriou said given the AFL and the GAA had decided a break every three years might be best for the International Series, it might mean fans could see the return of state versus state footy.
“It does leave open the option of the AFL competition … doing something of its own in 2010".
http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=69394
