Dustin Jones

[Sydneyfan]

I was just reading from Dustin Jones' online journal at http://www.usfooty.com
I was wondering whether any of you guys have met or see him at training?
If you've see him on the track, Does he show some potential and after seeing him at training, do you reckon that it's possible that in a few years time we might have Americans playing in AFL teams?
From the sounds of it, it's been a good experiment for both parties concerned, Dustin and the Bombers, hopefully these exchanges will become an annual event.

 

[TD]

would have been better had he been allowed to play in the Sydney match!

But in answer to your question, I haven't seen him play, but read a little about it and apparantly some of the bomber players were suprised at how big Aussie Rules is in America. I don't think we will be seeing too many players in the near future, but in 5-10 years, who knows?

 

[Stealth bomber]

I think that there will always be a handful of Americans trying, though I'd guess only 1 out of 10, if that, would be good enough to advance beyond just training with a club.

Whether or not any actually become stars, who knows. I don't see that happening, but I see some guys contributing at some point.

Maybe a Luc Longley type of guy. Not a bona fide superstar, but a solid player and contributor. Same with David Nilsson in baseball and that San Diego Chargers kicker.

Nobody seems to make a big deal out of their nationality, although I guess in our sports it's so normal to have non-Americans playing (and in many cases dominating) anymore. One look at the National Hockey League roster reveals Americans, Canadians, Czechs, Slovaks, Swedes, Finns, Russians, Ukranians, Germans, you name it.

I personally do not want to see the AFL overrun with American playes. It would feel like an invasion of territory. But I'd like to see maybe 5-10 of them in the league playing on a regular basis and having decent careers.

 

[Arch]

I read the guys journal, and he has a few interesting things to say like "I wanna get a kick-ass US team over here and kick these guys (essendons) butts","a few of the guys here are afraid that america will take over the game and become better at it than they are" etc etc- I dont know if he was just joking or what ???

also just a point stealth- wasnt Darren Bennett named the best NFL punter of the decade over there ??? No punter is a superstar, but thats still a pretty "super" effort all things considered.