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Former AFL player Billy Gowers is hoping to become the next Australian punter to make it to the NFL, despite interest from Pro Kabbadi League franchises in India.
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AFL Media’s Josh Gabelich reported on Monday that Gowers had caught the interest of Kabbadi teams after his efforts against the PKL stars at John Cain Arena in December.
Gowers featured for the Aussie Raiders that day, a team comprised of a bunch of ex-AFL stars.
Captained by Sydney champion Josh Kennedy, the team included former Blue Marc Murphy, ex-Tiger and Giant Brett Deledio, Swans premiership player Dan Hannebery and former Dons skipper Dyson Heppell. Hawthorn triple premiership player Liam Shiels also featured, as did ex-Dee Michael Hibberd.
Kabbadi is a fast-paced, contact sport played between two teams of seven players. Players try to ‘raid’ the opponent’s side of the field and aim to tag as many defenders as possible within a 30-second raid.
Gowers played 33 games at the Western Bulldogs throughout his AFL career but was delisted at the end of the 2020 season. Since then, the son of Hawthorn president Andy has plied his trade in the VFL, dominating in recent years with the Southport Sharks.
Kabbadi is the second-most watched sport in India, attracting almost 300 million viewers a year. But despite the figures Gowers could earn if he joined the PKL, he remains determined to pursue a career in the NFL, according to Gabelich.
Gowers won the ‘Frosty’ Miller Medal as the leading goalkicker in the VFL with 50 goals last year, but looks to have his mind set on punting in the States now.
The ex-AFL player is currently involved with ProKick Australia, headed by former NFL player Nathan Chapman.
Australians have been dominating the punting scene in recent years, with the likes of Tory Taylor, Michael Dickson, Lou Hedley, Matthew Hayball and Mitch Wishnowsky all featuring heavily.
There’s also a strong presence in the college football competition, Joe McGuire, the son of football media mogul Eddie, recently winning the championship with the Ohio State Buckeyes. James Rendell also featured in that game, while former Sandringham Dragons player Jakob Anderson is punting with Rutgers as well.
Australian offensive linesman Jordan Mailata is an integral part of the Philadelphia Eagles’ push for a Super Bowl championship, while Daniel Faalele is pivotal to Baltimore’s success as an offensive linesman.
