Gaelic football also has controversial playing styles.....

[j s]

(I think this qualifies as AFL related)

The defensive style of play adopted in the latter
stages of the Championship by a number of counties
led to a huge amount of debate and discussion and I
feel that it merits a few general comments as follows:
- It is unfair to brand Tyrone with developing the
style used very effectively by them and by others
this year, as it has been evolving over a couple of
years.
- The style of play used is legitimate and within the
rules, but the vast majority of spectators find it
unattractive.
- The fitness demands on players to play in this
way are enormous with every player on the
team, other than the goalkeeper, expected to
cover a huge amount of space during a game.
- The bunching/packed defence with a quick break
of ten or twelve people into attack, while in
possession, inevitably leads to disciplinary
problems, as off the ball fouls aimed at taking out
the support player are bound to increase.
- Good traditional style footballers were not able
to come to terms with the new tactics.
- It is up to the legislators to take account of the
trend and to modify the rules if this is considered
necessary.

The above quote is from the official 2004 annual report of the GAA at http://www.gaa.ie/files/04armain.pdf

It would appear they are seeing the same trends in their game that we see here....and similar reactions from the traditionalists.