Much has been made of the violence seen in previous “International Rules” matches between Ireland and Australia. The Irish threatened to boycott all future games after they were effectively bashed up by the Australians in the last series.

The AFL have since come out and said this series would be about, and I don’t quote “peace, love and mung beans”, but take a peek at the advertising on the box and it looks like war. Australian players launching elbows and Irish players, logically, looking for cover.

Give us a break! It’s sport. The Irish come over to Australia with some silky skills and the advertising has us all expecting the silkiness to be left bloodstained on the field.

Channel 7 and the AFL should be making the most of this great event. Sure try and use the pride factor in your advertising, throw in a little nationalism but keep the bogan out of it.

We, the viewers, are not stupid. We, the viewers, love sport. Please Mr Seven AFL man, give some credit to the viewer.