Former Richmond forward Jacob Bauer is all chips-in on landing an imminent American college football contract.
Speaking ahead of the sell-out inaugural MCG NFL match on Friday, Bauer gave insight into the training he has done since being delisted by Richmond at the end of last year.
The 192cm forward suffered an ACL rupture during his last year at Richmond, with the conversion from Aussie to American rules enabling him to return to training far sooner than would otherwise have been possible, given Aussie rules demands lateral movement, which puts more pressure on the knee.
“I knew after my ACL I would be out for a little while and I wanted to test myself with what I thought I was capable of, so punting was something I knew I could probably do while I wasn't moving as freely as an AFL athlete needed to,” Bauer told Zero Hanger.
“It would get me in the sun with a ball in my hand at a time following my delisting, where I went through a love-hate relationship with the sport, so it was a way for me to keep an attachment to some form of sport and keep working at something which I thought could be a possibility.
“I just posted a video on social media and one of the boys saw it, showed the coach and (college punting coach) Tim Gleeson sent me a message and told me to come down.
“I thought ‘why not' – I didn't want to live with regret, so I have spent the last six to seven months working on the eligibility process while doing it. It's been pretty rewarding so far, and hopefully it's just the start.”
Bauer played 12 games across four seasons for Richmond after being plucked as a mature-ager from the SANFL.
Fellow Sydney Academy graduate and star Seattle punter Michael Dickson's journey opened Bauer's eyes to what is possible for Australians, and as a self-confessed “sports nuff”, he closely follows American football.
The 24-year-old is awaiting the finalisation of his eligibility and is hoping to be available to colleges for the 2027 season.
A three-week trip to America earlier this year further whetted the appetite for Bauer.
“It's about getting ready and staying ready so the onus is on the individual to get ready as quickly as possible,” Bauer noted.
“There are so many opportunities post-college; people think it's NFL or bust, but there are so many other leagues where you can spend time abroad playing football and make decent enough coin as well.”
Bauer is still close with several former Richmond teammates, living with Sam Banks and working with Kamdyn McIntosh and pointed to the professionalism he learned at Richmond as holding him in good stead.
Many who have experienced both American and Aussie rules football highlight the difference of kicking the two different balls, a viewpoint Bauer aligned with.
“In terms of the actual kick, there are some bad habits you pick up going across,” Bauer noted.
“The technical kick paths need to be really straight, and now people kick around their body a lot, so I think the most transferable thing has been the professionalism of doing things away from training sessions and the hand-eye co-ordination.
“We're able to look downfield and make a kick without looking at our foot and being eyes down, so being able to take in your surroundings and make an informed decision.
“Being able to make a split-second decision is something I've been able to take away from AFL.”
Alongside his punting, Bauer played five local Aussie rules games for Castlemaine in the Bendigo Football Netball League this year once his knee was fully recovered.
"Rebuilding confidence in my body that I can do what is needed in me and have trust I can put force through my plant leg and my body will hold up has been important,” Bauer said.
“My body is feeling good. I played the last couple of games at Castlemaine to meet some new boys, and I'm on the tools working physically, so I've enjoyed it.
“If college doesn't work out, then maybe I'll give AFL one last crack, so I just want to keep all options open. I'm enjoying being fit and healthy.”
