Clicksport.com.au brings you all latest sports news, Australian sports tour updates. Also provides Australian events, Classifieds, Forum, Directory, Clubs & more.
The Player: Adam Gilchrist. Nicknamed Gilly and Church. Probably should also be named ‘The Walker’. One of the best wicket-keeper batsman of recent times.
Claim to Fame: Needs no introduction. Redefined the manner in which cricket was played. Redefined the manner in which the IPL recruiters went about getting in wicket-keepers. And reignited the debate about whether or not to walk after nicking the ball!
Ended with a Test match average of 48, and an ODI average of 36. More than anything had strike-rates of 82 and 97 respectively in the two formats of the game; almost the best in the game.
Team in IPL: Deccan Chargers.
He started the season as a wicket-keeper opener for the Chargers in the first season. But with the injury to VVS Laxman in the first season, he soon was assigned the captaincy. It did not help the Chargers, as they hurtled from one defeat to another, and ended at the bottom position. He did top the batting for the Chargers with 436 runs that included a century and three half centuries to his credit. The century came against Mumbai Indians and was one of the quickest in the IPL history.
What changed was the fact that the Chargers axed Laxman from the captaincy and brought in Gilchrist as the captain. He led the side to one win after another and despite a late dip in the fortunes, was able to lead the team to the semi-finals of the tournament. In the semis, chasing a target of 154, Gilchrist creamed the Delhi bowlers to all parts of the ground with a 35-ball 85 to guide the side into the final. Gilly did not score in the final, but did enough as the captain to triumph by beating Bangalore.
Price Tag: He was bought for $700,000 by the Deccan Chargers in the auctions. It was during these very auctions that he made the famous comment, “There was a little element of feeling like a cow. But it’s interesting and unique. There is a slight uneasiness. But let us allow it to settle down.” He is the costliest player for the Deccan Chargers after Andrew Symonds who had more than a million going for him.
Prospects in IPL 2010: He will continue to captain the side in the third edition of the tournament. He should also open the innings and keep wickets for the side. And given the fact that he has already retired from the game, he should be available for the entire season of the tournament. In the last year, he had shaken off the rust of not having played cricket for an year to perform remarkably well with the bat. One year on, with a body that is more than 38 years old, it remains to be seen whether he will be able to deliver the goods.
Bundaberg Red Racing today unveiled its 2010 Championship fighter, pulling the covers off the new livery of the #10 and #24 Walkinshaw Racing VE Commodores.
Australia Under-19 has defeated Pakistan by 25-runs in the final of the ICC Under-19 World Cup today at Bert Sutcliffe Oval just outside Christchurch in New Zealand today.
Fox are very excited to announce the addition of Bede Durbidge to the Fox surf program. Bede has been a consummate professional on the World Championship Tour the past few seasons, finishing 3rd in the world in 2009, 2nd in 2008 and 5th in 2007.
Bundaberg Red Racing today unveiled its 2010 Championship fighter, pulling the covers off the new livery of the #10 and #24 Walkinshaw Racing VE Commodores.
Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) is a highly federated and geographically dispersed corporate body with several organisational layers incorporating 305 local surf lifesaving clubs, 17 regional branches in NSW and Queensland.
We guarantee professional caring service practicing modern evidence based approaches to treatment.
We will listen , assess, diagnose, explain and treat your problem.
We will teach you management principles including an individualised exercise program to help you prevent and cure your problem.
WHY CHOOSE CITY COAST PHYSIO
Evidence Based Treatment Practicing current science means the best advice & short and long term outcomes for you.
Experience Highly experienced Physiotherapists with established relationships and referral base with other allied health professionals, General Practicioners, Sports Physicians and Orthopaedic Specialists.
Convenience 2 Locations and extended opening hours for after hours appointments. No Doctor’s referral required.
Service Our sessions are 30 minutes ‘one on one’ with your own physiotherapist. We employ a ‘hands-on’ approach with emphasis on self- directed management and treatment. Progress reports and discharge letters will be sent to your medical practitioner at your request
CORPORATE SERVICES City CoastCity Coast Physio offers a range of consulting services designed to assist companies manage their workforce.
We also consult on-site at large companies as required. We function as employer advocates and occupational health and safety consultants covering orthopaedic and musculoskeletal injury risk assessments, pre-employment evaluations, injury management services and return-to-work rehabilitation. What is our Experience?
Over years of collectively managing thousands of Workcover and privately insured patients, we have developed an awareness of the many issues, tactics and pitfalls associated with workplace injury claims. We have successfully rehabilitated thousands of legitimate cases back to gainful employment. The goals of our PROACTIVE workplace intervention include:
* Reduced Workcover premiums * Improved staff morale * Improved staff effectiveness/productivity * Proactive rather than reactive workforce
Services Include: 1.Early Intervention for recent injuries; (either in-rooms or on-site). We immediately respond (within 24hrs) to any workplace accident, injury or claim to reduce claim costs by correctly treating the injury in its early stages and managing the claim process effectively. We also liaise directly with the OH&S or HR manager and can even help implement policy.
2.Preventative Physio;
Performed on 'at risk' staff members to reduce likelihood of an injury. 3.Educational Lectures/Seminars;
Topics ranging from back care to posture and injury prevention.
4.Manual Handling training;
Updated information for all staff members specific to the physical requirements of their manual tasks.
5.Ergonomic Assessments;
To minimize the impact of current working conditions on staff well being.
6.Pre-employment screening;
these are a simple and cost effective way to identify employees that might be easily susceptible to injury and hence future workcover claims.
7.Preventative stretching and exercise programs
Group personal training and home exercise programs.
Our focus and emphasis is on the employee to take responsibility for their own health and well-being. We equip them with the knowledge and skills to best manage their own musculo-skeletal health at work and at home.
PUMA launches the 2009 McGrath Foundation Limited Release Cricket Collection at Twenty 20 All Stars XI Clash. Melbourne, November 21, 2009 – PUMA® continues its support of the McGrath Foundation for the third consecutive year with the limited edition release of the Pink Ballistic Reserve 6000 cricket collection. PUMA is proud to support the McGrath Foundation, with a contribution of retail sales from each pink cricket bat, batting gloves & wicket keeping gloves sold donated to the Foundation. Each pair of gloves will be presented in a special pink carry bag and branded with the McGrath Foundation logo on the cuff. The Ballistic 6000 bats will also be fitted with the McGrath Foundation logo. This limited release will coincide with Adam Gilchrist’s appearance in the Twenty 20 All Star XI clash against Australia to be played at the GABBA on Sunday 22nd November. Australian Test cricketer Marcus North will also be using the pink collection at the “Pink” Sydney Test v Pakistan starting January 3rd 2010. McGrath Foundation The McGrath Foundations raises money to place McGrath Breast Care Nurses throughout rural and regional Australia, as well as increasing breast awareness in younger women. To find out more about the McGrath Foundation and how you can help make a difference, please visit www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au
“FINALLY! A Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Unlocking Your Hidden Swing with a Secret and Exclusive Training Program”
This SECRET Formula Teaches You How to Use Your MIND to Change Your Swing!
Are you having problems with your swing? Is your overall game below average? What is affecting you the most, your talent? Powers of concentration? Do you really think that these are the qualities you need to be a good golfer?
To a degree. But your greatest friend (or greatest foe) is right between the ears. What you are about to discover in the next few minutes will change your game forever. Finally, all of your friends will marvel at your skill and want to know these secrets too.
Let them wait awhile on this one, while you take the chance to win a few against them. Has This Happened To You?
Whatever level you play at, you will have experienced this:
When you're shaping up to take a shot, every piece of advice you've ever been given suddenly floods into your head. Grip, stance, swing, follow through, wind, trajectory, direction, water, bunkers, trees ... it's far too much information to compute in a split second, so no wonder it sends you into a blind panic. And no wonder you mess up your shot.
I’ve been there too. And it just got to the point where I almost stopped playing golf. I was so tired of game after game seeing one messed up shot after the other. So I began to do some research and discovered ProGolfIQ!
The ProGolfIQ research included several of years of study that involved going right to the masters, Learning exactly how the pros do it by studying their methods and tools for in depth serious training. Like many other crafts, when it comes to golf, it really IS all in your head.
Research proves that the average golfer uses only the left side of the brain when contemplating a shot. This is the side that is preoccupied with half-remembered tips, advice and repetitive drills and the unwanted 'noise' that clutters the mind, and hampers good golf.
On the other hand, professional golfers are trained to use both sides of the brain when setting up. They successfully include the creative right side, which deals with rhythm, balance, timing, co-ordination and imagery. So they achieve a perfect mental balance. What's more, top golfers can 'switch off' the mind just before swinging the club. This allows the body to do what it has practiced a thousand times before without the mind meddling.
The Answer? Your IQ WILL Change Your Game…..
Now that I know that science is really behind all this, I began to develop a program that would allow the average every day golfer to overcome their struggles on the green.
Pro Golf iQ uses a patented process developed by Dr Jason Gregg called 'inter-hemispheric synchronic mediation' (ISM), plus several other key techniques, to give you the necessary skills to get both sides of your brain working together and create that essential 'quiet time', just like the pros do. After a while, this state of mind will become second nature, and you'll be striking the ball like you've never done before.
This is a completely safe, scientifically based program, which involves one 20 to 30-minute session, three times a week for five weeks. Each week you will relax and listen to a powerful new track. Rest assured, Pro Golf IQ is not another hypnotherapy-based relaxation course รข€“ there are too many of these on the market already. Pro Golf IQ will not teach you how to play golf but will coach your mind to improve your game.
Pro Golf IQ is a dynamic 5 week audio and video software package that utilizes technology used by professional athletes and consists of over 6 hours of personal mind coaching that will dramatically improve your performance on the golf course. Try the Pro Golf IQ Experience TODAY! OK, Let’s Recap What You Have Learned, What Will Pro Golf IQ Do For You?
• Improve your Golf game • Learn how to focus and swing like a golf pro • Eliminate Inconsistent Golf Swings • Mental Golf Training
You can have all the latest gear, take lessons from the most accomplished coach, practice until your hands blister and your shoulders burn but if your mind's not right, it's not going to make any difference.
Pro Golf IQ gets your brain into top shape for golf. Based on rigorous scientific research, it helps you balance and de-clutter the mind at the crucial moment just before you take your shot. So like all the top pros, you'll be able to instinctively get into 'the zone' when it matters the most. Here is Exactly What You Need To Do Right Now Try the Pro Golf IQ Experience TODAY! Pro Golf IQ offer you the opportunity to sample the program with the unique "EXPERIENCE" 12 minute audio mini session.
Pro Golf IQ Experience focuses on relaxation and features just a few of the hundreds of dynamic sound scapes which you will hear during the full 5 week course.
Simply register your details and receive your free instant download.
Once the download is complete you will need to transfer the file to your iPod or mp3 player or burn to a CD and use headphones to listen through your hi-fi system. Then find a quiet comfortable place to relax and close your eyes while listening through your headphones. Pro Golf IQ will not work if you listen through regular speakers. Try the Pro Golf IQ Experience TODAY!
p.s. Still sitting on the fence with this one? I understand. It sounds like a lot to take in. But if you are happy with how things are going for you, and aren’t really interested in improving your game at all, I understand.
p.p.s. If you are ready to tap into the powers of your mind and truly want to see your golf change virtually overnight, DOWNLOAD NOW and get instant access to the entire training program AND it won’t be long before you are gloving the way you’ve been dreaming of! Try the Pro Golf IQ Experience TODAY!
Just launched in Australia is the new ‘6 in 1’ CROSSHAIRS DIVOT TOOL. This new divot repair tool is both beautifully designed, extremely functional with multiple uses. Recently released in the USA -- CROSSHAIRSGOLF.COM announced the introduction of the new tool including its patent pending status.
The unique Ergonomic Design of the CROSSHAIRS DIVOT TOOL has been created for both comfort and secure finger and thumb placement. The thumb fits comfortably on the handle at a perfect pivot angle to promote correct forward ‘pushing’ motion. This creates the optimal leverage to repair ball marks properly without damaging the green.
The top handle portion of the CROSSHAIRS DIVOT TOOL has a magnetic front that securely holds a removable Ball Mark. The Ball Mark can be easily removed with one hand by using the thumb and forefinger and placing pressure on the top part of the Ball Mark. Also, the Ball Mark may be custom designed to create a very handsome Souvenir or Corporate branding opportunity.
The feature that truly separates this divot tool from all others is the middle section of the CROSSHAIRS DIVOT TOOL as it has the same diameter as a golf ball. By placing this spherical portion of the Divot Tool on top of a golf ball, it can be utilized as a Stencil to draw lines on the golf ball thus directly helping both a players putting and driving alignment.
The top part of the CROSSHAIRS DIVOT TOOL can be utilized as a Club Grip Prop to keep club grips from getting wet. Push the prongs of the Divot Tool in the ground and prop the golf club grip on the top of the recessed portion of the divot tool.
The CROSSHAIRS DIVOT TOOL can also be utilized as a Club Groove Cleaner by placing the prongs of the divot tool inside the grooves of a golf club iron.
For more information regarding corporate and promotional opportunities about the new patent pending CROSSHAIRS DIVOT TOOL contact John on 0414 015 209
HARRY KEWELL Harry was part of a great football match and he scored his tenth goal of the season. At the 67th minute of the game he scored off a great shot with his right foot, the shot went right pass the right post, impossible to stop for Antalyaspor’s goalkeeper. This was the decisive goal of the match, the one that gave Galatasaray the victory. Harry is now an idol for Galatasaray’s fans. The only down side is that he received a yellow card and he won’t be able to play the next game of the Turkish league but he will play this Wednesday for the UEFA Europa League against SK Sturm Graz.
TIM CAHILL Tim did not play in Everton’s match against Chelsea because of a Yellow Card he received in the previous game with Tottenham. It was an exciting game nevertheless. The score was 3:3 a very important point for Everton. Tim will play in Everton’s upcoming match against Bate Borisov for the UEFA Europa League, the match is this Thursday.
LUCAS NEILL Lucas did play in the electrifying match between Everton and Chelsea. He played a great game as a centre back for Everton. He could contain Didier Drogba at times; he had a major responsibility in this match because of Chelsea’s forwards. He played the entire 90 minutes, his body must suffered after the match because of the big effort he gave playing defense. Chelsea had the ball most of the game but Everton was extremely accurate in offense, a mistake by Peter Chech helped a little, he scored an own goal something rare for this excellent goalkeeper. Everton’s next match is against Bate Borisov for the UEFA Europa League on Thursday.
MARK SCHWARZER This was an accessible match for Fulham they faced Burnley but they only tied at one a piece. Mark had six stops in this game; as usual he played very well. He didn’t have any responsibility in Burnley’s goal, he almost reached the ball but he missed for a few cm. Fulham was playing good but couldn’t finish the opportunities they had. All goals were converted in the second half of the match. Marks next game is in the UEFA Europa League, Fulham will face FC Basel this Wednesday.
BRETT EMERTON Brett’s team the Blackburn Rovers lost as visitors to Birmingham. Brett played a defensive role in the midfield contrary to his usual position as a right wing. He played a decent game, he had to recover a lot of ball and connect with the other midfielders and forwards. Basically he played a big role in the Blackburn Rovers’ ball possession. They ended with more ball possession but some mistakes in defense and the lack of accuracy in offense ended in a lost for Brett’s team. Brett will face Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
VINCE GRELLA Vince is still recovering from an injury sustained in last Sunday’s game against Hull city. The injury came just when Vince was securing the spot in the starting lineup. Let’s hope he can recover fast and at 100%. The Blackburn Rovers missed Vince in the middle of the field, they needed somebody with more talent at the defensive end and that player is Vince. Blackburn Rovers play against Tottenham Hotspur this Saturday.
MARC BRESCIANO Palermo won a very important match against AC Milan in San Siro. And Mark scored the second goal of Palermo. Mark played a good game in the second half, in the first half he was a bit lost in Palermo’s offense, for some reason Palermo was attacking only through the right wing. But they were playing very well in defense, with all the midfielders and forwards pressuring Milan’s defenders. Mark played a first half on defense and a good overall game in the second half. His goal came after a foul committed to Pastore that the referee didn’t call and Mark coming from behind shot the ball inside. The score ended 2:0 in favor of Palermo. Mark’s next match is against Siena on Sunday.
DARIO VIDOSIC Dario wasn’t even in the roster list for Nurnberg’s match against Hamburg SV. Nurnberg lost the match 4:0 just like their previous game. Dario hasn’t played in the last 3 games. I’m sure he will have another opportunity to show his talent in the following games. Nurnberg will face Cologne on Sunday.
SCOTT MCDONALD Celtic won a crucial math against Motherwell 3:2 Scott played the entire game and was very active offensively but could not score this time. He had three shots and one of them was barely a goal but the goalkeeper was able to stop Scott’s shot. Celtic is still trailing their historic rivals Rangers by only one point. Rangers are leading the competition. Scott will play against Rapid Vienna this Thursday for the UEFA Europa League.
BRETT HOLMAN Brett sustained an injury when AZ Alkmaar faced Standard Liege for the UEFA Europa League; he wasn’t available for this past Saturday match against PSV Eindhoven. AZ Alkmaar lost the game 1:0 playing as visitors. Brett is expected to recover for AZ Alkmaar next match against ADO Deen Haag, this match is this Saturday.
SCOTT CHIPPERLFIELD There weren’t any football games this past weekend on Switzerland. Scott is expected to play in FC Basel’s next match against Fulham for the UEFA Europa League on Wednesday. This match will feature two Socceroos, Mark Schwarzer of Fulham and Scott from FC Basel.
ADAM FEDERICI Adam’s team Reading faced Scunthorpe United this past Saturday, the game ended 1:1. Adam had five stops in this game, if it wasn’t for him Reading would have lost the game. Adam couldn’t stop the goal; it was a very good shot from the left that went right next to the left post. Adam’s team will visit Bristol City this Saturday.
BRAD JONES Middlesbrough lost in their home field to Cardiff City 1:0. It was an embarrassing loss. Brad’s team needs to win these types of games in order to stay in the competition. Brad had four stops none of them were really demanding. The goal occurred in the 61st minute of the match, there was little that Brad could have done to stop that goal, and it was extremely difficult to stop that powerful shot. Middlesbrough will face Newcastle United; that are first in the standings, this Sunday.
For Regular Sports updates on Tours, events and many more Australian sports updates Visit http://www.clicksport.com.au/
While many people question the validity of the name ‘World Series’ in Major League Baseball, simply because the event is exclusive to North America, the league itself is truly gaining an international flavour with players from all over the world. It usually doesn’t surprise fans that countries such as Japan, Mexico, Cuba, Canada, Colombia, Panama, Taiwan, and Venezuela all have players in the league, but when they hear there are currently six Australians playing in MLB, they’re usually taken aback.
They’re even more amazed to find out the first Australian to play Major league Baseball was 19-year-old Sydney-born Joe Quinn, a second baseman who made his debut for the St. Louis Maroons way back in 1884 and lasted 18 years in the majors.
Quinn definitely didn’t lead a parade of Aussies over to North America though, as it was over 100 years later until the next Australian, Craig Shipley, stepped onto a major league ball diamond in 1986.
There have been a total of 24 Aussies on MLB rosters over the years with six of them playing in the just- completed 2009 season with another suiting seven suiting up for minor league pro teams. These minor league pros players were: Travis Blackley, Trent Durrington, Brad Harman, Damian Moss, Chris Oxspring, Brad Thomas, and Glenn Williams.
Last year’s Major League Baseball Australian Players
Grant Balfour-Pitcher-Sydney
Balfour made it to the big leagues with the Minnesota Twins in 2001 as a 23 year old. He only lasted 2.2 innings in his debut and gave up four earned runs, two home runs, and walked three batters. He left the field with an ERA of 13.50, so it wasn’t much of a surprise that he didn’t play another game for the Twins until two years later. The right hander played for the Tampa Bay Rays last season and had a 5-4 record with a 4.81 ERA and four saves. His best season was 2008, when he went 6-2 with a 1.54 ERA and four saves.
Justin Huber-First Baseman/Outfielder-Melbourne
Huber started out as a catcher, but a knee injury forced him to change positions. He made his MLB debut as a 22 year old with the Kansas City Royals in 2005. He hit .218 in 78 at bats as a rookie with no home runs and six RBI in 25 games. He only managed 10 at bats in each of the next two seasons and played in less than 10 games each year. Huber was traded to the San Diego Padres in 2008 and hit .246 with two homers and eight RBI in 61 at bats in 33 games. He signed with the Minnesota Twins in 2009, only played in one game with them with a hit in two at bats.
Peter Moylan-Pitcher-Perth
This sidearm pitcher broke into the majors in 2006 with the Atlanta Braves as a 27 year old. He pitched in 15 games as a rookie with a 4.80 ERA. He pitched in 80 games in 2007 and had a 5-3 record with an excellent 1.80 ERA and one save. However, Moylan missed most of the 2008 season as he had Tommy John Surgery on his right arm. He only managed to throw in seven games, but had a 1.59 ERA, an 0-1 record with a save. Moylan recovered well from the injury and came back strong in 2009 with a fine 6-2 record and 2.84 ERA in 87 games pitched.
Trent Oeltjen-Outfielder-Sydney
Oeltjen won a silver medal with the Australian Olympic team in Athens in 2004. He was signed by the Minnesota Twins organization in 2001 and proved to be a fine hitter in the minors. He finally made his way to the big leagues last season as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks. He performed well as a 26-year-old rookie even though he saw limited action. He played in 24 games and hit .243 in 70 at bats with three home runs and four RBI. He also had four doubles and a triple in his 17 hits and ended up with a .457 slugging percentage.
Ryan Rowland-Smith-Pitcher-Sydney
Rowland-Smith also played for the Aussies in the 2004 Olympics and earned his first start in MLB as a 24 year old with the Seattle Mariners in 2007. The left hander pitched in 26 games as a rookie with a 1-0 record and a 3.96 ERA. He improved on those stats the next season with a 5-3 record and 3.42 ERA with two saves. Rowland-Smith was placed on the disabled list near the start of the 2009 season and was then sent to the minors for rehab. He pitched his way back into the Mariners’ rotation and went 5-4 with a 3.74 ERA in 15 games.
Rich Thompson-Pitcher-Hornsby
Thompson is another member of the 2004 Olympic team. He found himself on the pitchers’ mound for the first time in the majors as a member of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim as a 23 year old near the end of the 2007 season. He got into seven games, but ended with a 10.81 ERA. Things didn’t get any better the next season as he only pitched in two games because of a shoulder injury and his ERA soared to 22.50. Thompson improved after the injury healed and last season he pitched in 13 games and lowered his ERA to 5.12.
For Regular Sports updates on Tours, events and many more Australian sports updates Visit http://www.clicksport.com.au/
It seems that NFL coaches have been so impressed with former Australian rules football players that they are looking for more Aussie talent to recruit into their league.
Former Geelong captain Ben Graham made history earlier in 2009 when the Arizona Cardinals punter became the first Australian to play in a Super Bowl. The Cardinals made it to the championship game after beating fellow Aussie Sav (Saverio) Rocca and the Philadelphia Eagles in the playoffs, but lost the final 27-23 to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Aussies are a hot commodity with NFL officials at the moment as they are known to be highly competitive and possess excellent skills when it comes to kicking and punting.
While Australian football players in the NFL have been few and far between, Colin Ridgway became the first one to break into America’s top league way back in 1965. Aussies who have earned paycheques in the U.S. since then were Colin Scotts in 1987 and Darren Bennett who played from 1995 to 2005.
But things peaked in the NFL in 2008 as four Aussies played in the league. They were Rocca, Mat McBriar (Dallas Cowboys), Cameron Stephenson (Jacksonville Jaguars), and Graham.
Graham, Rocca, and McBriar are all playing again this season, while Stephenson is currently on the practice squad with Jacksonville.
Graham grew up in Leopold, Victoria and began playing with the Leopold Football Club in the Bellarine League, where his dad Tony was a former premiership player and coach.
Ben, who just turned 36 years old on Nov. 2, played 219 games with Geelong in Australia from 1993-2004 and kicked 145 goals for the club. He was approached by the NFL’s New York Jets in 1997 to try out as a punter, but declined the offer.
While he made history as the first player from down under to take part in a Super Bowl, his NFL career has been a bit of a roller coaster ride.
It began with New York Jets in 2005. At the time, he became the oldest rookie ever to open a season in the NFL at the age of 31 and impressed enough to be offered a multi-year contract for several million dollars. Rocca, at the age of 33, would soon become the oldest rookie ever just two years later.
Graham played 51 games with New York and kicked 249 punts for an average of 43.5 yards. However, the was then cut from the team, re-signed, and then cut again in 2008 all within a two-week span, before catching on with the New Orleans Saints, where he played one game before being waived. He eventually hooked up with the Arizona Cardinals as a free agent in December 2008.
In the 2006 season he became the first Aussie in history to be named captain of an American pro sports club.
After 40 punts this current season, Graham is averaging 48.2 yards with 42.5 per cent inside the 20-yard line.
Rocca, of Melbourne, started his American career on a smaller scale when he signed a $330,000 contract with Philadelphia Eagles in 2007, after failing to catch on with the Buffalo Bills following a tryout in 2006.
The soon-to-be (Nov. 20) 36-year-old Rocca previously played in 257 AFL games for North Melbourne and Collingwood in a 14-year career, and managed to kick 748 goals, good enough for 13th place all time in the AFL. The punter was named the NFL's special teams’ player of the month in September 2008, after leading the league with a 44.1-yard net punting average and dropping seven punts inside the 20-yard line. He became only the second Eagles punter in history to win the honour.
Rocca’s younger brother Anthony, who formerly played for the Sydney Swans and Collingwood in the AFL is aiming to follow in Sav’s footsteps and currently training to become a punter in the NFL.
Sav was averaging 42.3 yards a punt for the Philadelphia this season as of Nov. 6 with 36.1 per cent of them inside the 20-yard line.
The 30-year-old punter McBriar was also born in Melbourne and began playing Australian rules at Brighton Grammar School. He attended the University of Hawaii after moving to the States and was then signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys and made his NFL debut in 2004.
His best season was 2006, when he kicked a 75 yard punt which was the second longest in Cowboys' history. He was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week twice that season for his excellent punting ability. He then ended the season off by being selected to play in the Pro Bowl, as punter for the NFC squad. He also led the NFL in punting average at 48.2 yards per punt, which was the highest the league for 43 years.
In 2007, Dallas extended McBriar's contract and offered him a five-year $8.5 million deal along with a $2.5 million signing bonus. Once he signed his name, McBriar became the highest-paid punters in the league.
However, all the money in the world couldn’t help him the next season as he suffered a season-ending break in his kicking foot on Oct. 12, 2008 when his kick was blocked and returned for the game-winning touchdown. To make matters worse it came on the final play of an overtime loss against Graham’s Arizona Cardinals. McBriar was averaging 49 yards a punt at the time of his injury.
He has recovered and rebounded from his injury well and as of Nov. 6 was averaging 46.4 yards after 30 punts with 56.7 per cent of them inside the 20-yard line.
These three Aussies have proven that AFL players can adapt to the NFL and carve out successful careers at the same time. Look for more Australians to follow their path in the near future.
For Regular Sports updates on Tours, events and many more Australian sports updates Visit http://www.clicksport.com.au/
