SINCE bursting on to the AFL scene in 2003, Jared Brennan has been renowned for his unique ball-handling where he palms the ball with one hand rather than the conventional method of tucking it under his arm.
But the Brisbane Lion still took viewers by surprise in last week’s International Rules game when he handled the round ball in a similar fashion.
Brennan says it was a force of habit but admits it is trickier to hold the round ball with just one hand.
“I’m not too sure if it is a habit I want to get out of. I haven’t dropped it too many times holding it with the one hand so if I start dropping it I probably won’t hold it that way,” he said.
“It was a bit hard because of the rain in Perth. The ball was really slippery. I used gloves after half-time but it is a lot harder to hold the ball. The Gaelic guys grew up with the round ball so it is a lot easier for them.”
Friday was Brennan’s first match under the hybrid rules and he said he was amazed at the pace of the game.
“It was very interesting. A lot quicker than what I thought. It’s a bit tough to get used to the round ball and we’ll see how we go this week. Maybe it seemed quicker because of the smaller field, I’m not sure,” he said.
The spring-heeled 24-year-old spent time in the ruck for Australia, but says even that uniquely Australian part of the game was far different to what he had known before.
“It’s not part of the Irish game because there is no jumping. It’s kind of like a basketball tip-off where you can’t get momentum,” he said.
“It’s just a little throw-up and whoever gets their hands on it first. It’s a bit tough for me as the ruckman, maybe we’ll have Drew Petrie do a bit more of the work this weekend. I just couldn’t get a run and jump at it. It’s a bit different to AFL.”
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The 2008 Toyota International Rules Series: Australia v Ireland
Second Test – MCG, Melbourne, Friday October 31
Tickets on sale now at ticketmaster.com.au, by calling 1300 136 122 or at a Ticketmaster outlet.
For full coverage of the 2008 series, click here.
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