Post by earl on Feb 19, 2008 17:01:07 GMT
INTERNATIONAL rules bad boys would be hit with a double whammy under strict new rules designed to revive the series.
In a push to take the biff out of the game, any Australian player suspensions would be served in the AFL home-and-away season
Adding further sting to the crackdown, penalties would be weighted to bring the Irish Tests in line with the AFL Grand Final, in which base points for offences are doubled.
That means a three-match international rules offence could convert to six home-and-away matches.
The Herald Sun can reveal the peace proposal, which is with the Gaelic Athletic Association for consideration, also includes the appointment of an independent video match referee, from outside Australia and Ireland.
There is a strong chance the series will return in October, with the GAA declaring the AFL had "provisionally" agreed to the lengthy list of changes proposed in Dubai a fortnight ago.
Related LinksFull document: Proposed changes for Irish rules series
The AFL refused to comment last night, stressing only that the commission would have the final say when it votes on the list of proposals at its next meeting in mid-March.
In past series, offenders could serve penalties only during the annual two-Test series.
After violence erupted at Croke Park, Dublin, in 2006, the Irish pulled the pin on the series, calling for major changes. The GAA felt deterrents were not strong enough.
GAA president Nickey Brennan returned from Dubai with a positive outlook on the future of the series, claiming agreement on penalties carrying into AFL matches as a major breakthrough.
Irish counties have now been asked to debate the future of the series, with a March meeting looming as crucial.
Details of the peace document, in the hands of Irish counties for discussion, include:
A PLAYER who slings, slams or drives an opponent into the ground when executing a tackle would be deemed guilty of "gross misconduct" and shown a red card.
The point was clearly pushed by the Irish after Port Adelaide's Danyle Pearce escaped penalty for pounding Graham Geraghty into the turf in 2006. It was legal in AFL, but caused a furore.
Under the proposed changes, Pearce would be sent directly to the dressingroom and the Irish awarded a penalty kick. He would then face the wrath of the tribunal.
A YELLOW card would be awarded to a player for simply fronting up to an opponent and using intimidation. It would lead to 10 minutes in the sin bin, with no replacement allowed.
THE video match referee, who must have a background in international elite sport, would have the power to report yellow or red-card infractions missed by match-day officials.
In a ground-breaking move, the offences may be reported to match referees during a stoppage in play -- at quarter-time, halftime and or three-quarter time -- so that a red card or yellow card sanction can be applied immediately.
THE establishment of a new "disciplinary tribunal", including the senior Australian and Irish figures. For the first time, it would be open to the media.
A TEAM in possession of the ball would not be permitted to make more than four consecutive hand passes before the ball is played by foot.
INTERCHANGE moves would be restricted to 10 a quarter.
IN A show of unity, the players would be escorted on to the field of play by children, including non-nationals based in the host country, with all players to line up and shake hands before each Test.
The GAA put the proposals forward as a basis for curbing what it described as the "excesses which have besmirched the Test series in 2005 and 2006".
Chris Johnson, Australian co-captain in 2005, was suspended from five matches against Ireland after pleading guilty to striking Philip Jordan and Mattie Forde.
It finished his international rules career, but Johnson was free to line up for the Lions in Round 1 of 2006.
Under the new rule, Johnson could have missed the first 10 AFL matches.
In a push to take the biff out of the game, any Australian player suspensions would be served in the AFL home-and-away season
Adding further sting to the crackdown, penalties would be weighted to bring the Irish Tests in line with the AFL Grand Final, in which base points for offences are doubled.
That means a three-match international rules offence could convert to six home-and-away matches.
The Herald Sun can reveal the peace proposal, which is with the Gaelic Athletic Association for consideration, also includes the appointment of an independent video match referee, from outside Australia and Ireland.
There is a strong chance the series will return in October, with the GAA declaring the AFL had "provisionally" agreed to the lengthy list of changes proposed in Dubai a fortnight ago.
Related LinksFull document: Proposed changes for Irish rules series
The AFL refused to comment last night, stressing only that the commission would have the final say when it votes on the list of proposals at its next meeting in mid-March.
In past series, offenders could serve penalties only during the annual two-Test series.
After violence erupted at Croke Park, Dublin, in 2006, the Irish pulled the pin on the series, calling for major changes. The GAA felt deterrents were not strong enough.
GAA president Nickey Brennan returned from Dubai with a positive outlook on the future of the series, claiming agreement on penalties carrying into AFL matches as a major breakthrough.
Irish counties have now been asked to debate the future of the series, with a March meeting looming as crucial.
Details of the peace document, in the hands of Irish counties for discussion, include:
A PLAYER who slings, slams or drives an opponent into the ground when executing a tackle would be deemed guilty of "gross misconduct" and shown a red card.
The point was clearly pushed by the Irish after Port Adelaide's Danyle Pearce escaped penalty for pounding Graham Geraghty into the turf in 2006. It was legal in AFL, but caused a furore.
Under the proposed changes, Pearce would be sent directly to the dressingroom and the Irish awarded a penalty kick. He would then face the wrath of the tribunal.
A YELLOW card would be awarded to a player for simply fronting up to an opponent and using intimidation. It would lead to 10 minutes in the sin bin, with no replacement allowed.
THE video match referee, who must have a background in international elite sport, would have the power to report yellow or red-card infractions missed by match-day officials.
In a ground-breaking move, the offences may be reported to match referees during a stoppage in play -- at quarter-time, halftime and or three-quarter time -- so that a red card or yellow card sanction can be applied immediately.
THE establishment of a new "disciplinary tribunal", including the senior Australian and Irish figures. For the first time, it would be open to the media.
A TEAM in possession of the ball would not be permitted to make more than four consecutive hand passes before the ball is played by foot.
INTERCHANGE moves would be restricted to 10 a quarter.
IN A show of unity, the players would be escorted on to the field of play by children, including non-nationals based in the host country, with all players to line up and shake hands before each Test.
The GAA put the proposals forward as a basis for curbing what it described as the "excesses which have besmirched the Test series in 2005 and 2006".
Chris Johnson, Australian co-captain in 2005, was suspended from five matches against Ireland after pleading guilty to striking Philip Jordan and Mattie Forde.
It finished his international rules career, but Johnson was free to line up for the Lions in Round 1 of 2006.
Under the new rule, Johnson could have missed the first 10 AFL matches.