why dont australian football players ever attempt to play in the nfl?

Question

of course the simmple answer is maybe they dont want to...but i ask because if they were able to couldnt they make more money? i know it isnt about money but i know some would like more money..then again i guess thats another question in itself..do they make so much that the nfl isnt really that big a deal? also..this isnt one of those australian football is weaker than nfl discussions..really curious about pay and interest of australian players in nfl

Answer 1

They have in the past, but by going over to the US they end their AFL career in an attempt to break into the NFL, which is not garaunteed. There is also limited scouting work done in Australia, I believe Darren Bennett was scouted on a Rugby tour of the US

There have been players in the pastl Darrent Bennett was the first notable player to break into the NFL and now Ben Graham is doing very well as punter for the NY Jets. A player called Saverio Rocca also retired from AFL retired at the end of last season to pursue an NFL punting career.

You also have to understand that that there is not alot of interest in NFL over here. When i think of NFL i think of OJ Simpson (lol) and i dont hav a clue about how all the rules work. People like to play the sport they grew up with, a sport that becomes natural to them.

Answer 2

Well first of all there are ex AFL players in the NFL. Ben Graham is currently a kicker for the Jets and Matt McBriar is a kicker for the Cowboys- both doing pretty well. Darren Bennett was extremely successful in the NFL- I think he played for 3-4 NFL teams. Saverio Rocca is currently on trial with Buffalo I think.

Although the pay may be much larger it is a long hard road for AFL players to make the transition. The only real position an AFL player will fit into is as a punter. They would be leaving a sport that they are successful in and moving to a new country to try and make the roster. Most players would have families and moving to a new country would be a big change in lifestyle.

I know that many AFL players see NFL as a possibility once their AFL career ends. Most AFL players retire in their early thirties so this leaves plenty of years to give the NFL a crack. I'm sure that in the future you will see a lot more Australian punters in the NFL because they have the ability to kick the ball a long way!

Answer 3

Only the best, longest and most accurate kicks are a chance to make the NFL. Of course there is more money but there are no guarantees they'll make it.

There have been quite a few players attempt to make the grade some have had success, but it really isn't as though these guys play for the love of the game, or dream of playing NFL as a kid. It's mainly for the money.

There are boys in the USA who live their whole life training to be a punter for an NFL side, so it's not like there is no competition either.

Good question.

Answer 4

in the afl players play all aspects of the game. is a all round skills game. i heard in the nfl u guys have like specialist players for everthing. i heard sum guy played a whole career in the nfl and never touched the ball. dont u guys draft players just because they can do the 100 meters in under ten seconds. the only afl players that can switch at a later age to the nfl are punters

Answer 5

Nfl is a completely differnt game where you pretty much need to start playing very early to become a success at... rugby players are like a jack of all trades where all players need to pass, catch, high fitness etc... trying playing him against a linemen where they specifically only train to block and tackle and whos aims to simply inflict as much pain as they can with no reagrd for any ball skills... the two players dont measure up

Answer 6

i THINK THAT THE DIFFERENCES IN THE GAME WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR THEM. IT HARD TO EXPLAIN. THE GAMES ARE FAIRLY SIMILAR,BUT IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO CHANGE THEIR WAYS AND PLAY AMERICAN FOOTBALL THE WAY THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO AND NOT THE WAY THEY KNOW HOW.

Answer 7

Good question