Australian rules football is one of the nation's favourite pastimes. It is a game steeped in and sustained by its tradition, beloved for its singularity as much as its spectacle.
However, this has rarely hindered those in charge of the country's most-watched code from attempting to edit its foundations. History is littered with ill-fated, albeit well-intentioned experiments, undertaken for a variety of reasons. Some were executed in an effort to broaden the game's appeal to the dormant masses, particularly in the northern frontier; some were an attempt to level the playing field, while others were in aid of globalising this uniquely Australian sport.
We're counting down 10 of these AFL experiments, and casting a verdict on their respective efficacies.
International rules
Another hybrid version of the game has recently been in talks for a revival.
The International Rules series, contested between Australia and Ireland, was once a fun moment on both nation's sporting calendars. Borrowing a few AFL rules, the modified version of Gaelic Football was contested after the conclusion of the AFL and GAA seasons. Two tests would be played, with the winner being the side with the highest cumulative score after the two matches.
On-field brawling, poor behaviour from Australians abroad, dwindling ratings and a rise in players prioritising off-season rest or club commitments saw the concept fall by the wayside after its 2017 iteration. The years prior had seen the fixturing be spotty, at best, yet there appears to be a renewed appetite for the event's revival.
Verdict: This is a fun one, that I recall fondly. It was nice to see the All-Australian side actually play somebody, although it was rare that the named side exactly mirrored the side named at the conclusion of the AFL season. Call it macabre if you like, but the biffs were also part of the appeal. 6/10.
