By KRISTEN ALEBAKIS
LAST year Jonathan Showman started playing footy in Oklahoma in the United States of America, this year he is lining up with the Albanvale in the Western Region Football League.
He had never heard of Aussie Rules, let alone seen a game more than 12 months ago, yet the athletic American has not only fallen in love with Australia’s favourite sport, but decided to make the move to Melbourne to immerse himself in our culture with the hope of improving his game.
“I started playing Australian rules football in a burgeoning league in America and I really fell in love with the sport,” Showman said.
“Objectively speaking it is really the best sport in the world…I think it is Australia’s greatest export.”
The 23-year-old was playing for the Tulsa Buffaloes in 2015 and after finishing college he decided to travel, first stop being Australia to play some footy.
“I was at a point in my life where I finished college and I wanted to travel and I wanted to see Australia and our assistant coach at the time was an Australian citizen,” Showman said.
“He was on a sabbatical from his job and living in Oklahoma, he was coaching us and I wanted to go to Australia and I knew there was some opportunity to hook up with a community club in Australia.
“I wanted to improve my game as well and he was from this area and he hooked me up with the Albanvale Cobras.”
The league in America stretches across the entire country, with some states also having a metro competition, very much like the WRFL.
Showman says the league attracts high calibre athletes including ex-college NFL players, but says because the population hasn’t grown up with AFL, the skill level isn’t that high.
“They play a lot more off the ground than they would off the boot,” he said.
“The game here even at the community level is a much more methodical, it is a much more elegant game.
“Even Australians that are older and less athletic, because they have that ingrain skill level, can take on some of the better teams in America right now and really give them a run for their money.
“One of the reasons besides wanting to see Australia is I wanted to play with some Australians that have been playing the game.
“I figured, immersing myself among them would be a great way to hone my skills level and show up some Americans.”
Since being in Melbourne, Showman has jumped straight into the competition, playing two reserves matches and on the weekend made his debut in the seniors.
“I am really loving it,” he said.
“The club has been great, what I love about footy is the comradery of not only the guys on the team, but the entire community around the club.”
Showman said one of his role models is Collingwood footballer Mason Cox.
Cox, who has a similar story to Showman, in that he hadn’t played the game until two years ago, is making his mark on the AFL.
“Seeing what Mason Cox has been able to do what he has done is incredible,” Showman said.
“He comes from Oklahoma and he played basketball back home, he is a freak athlete, he is a huge guy.
“For Americans that are a little bit interested in this game he is an inspiration.”
Last Modified on 05/05/2016 11:09