The NFL is taking over the MCG this week, with the first game of the 2026/27 NFL season kicking off this Friday on the hallowed turf.
For the first time in history, an NFL game will be played in Australia, as the NFL aims to expand its market globally, but it's not the first time Australians have been exposed to the NFL.
Several former AFL players have made the switch to the NFL, using arguably an AFL player's best skill: kicking.
AFL players have been able to use the most common ability in AFL to carve out a role in the NFL and evolve the position of punting.
Chris Bryan
Bryan was picked up by Carlton in the 2004 AFL draft as a 22-year-old after he was unsuccessful in landing a spot on Collingwood's rookie list in 2000.
The ruckman would only play 16 games across his two seasons at Carlton, before being delisted at the end of 2006.
He was picked up by Collingwood in the 2007 pre-season draft and made his debut on Anzac Day in that season.
He would play 30 games across three seasons at the Magpies and was delisted at the end of 2009 by the Magpies.
Bryan made the move to the States in 2010 and was signed by the Green Bay Packers to a three-year contract, but it only lasted till September, and he was cut before the season started.
The punter signed another three-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and played his first game against the Cleveland Browns, but was cut the next day.
He then went on to sign a deal with the New York Jets, but only lasted a month before moving back to Australia.
