In two short years,St Kilda’s international rookie has completed a remarkable journey from American college basketballer to AFL footballer Up close the modern AFL footballer is a far different physical specimen than his predecessors of the final few decades, far more sinewy and slight. On account of his finely-calibrated diet and training regime and the relentless pursuit of success, and he’s closer in shape to a middle distance runner than a wide receiver,as was once the case.
This is a kindly thing, in many respects. The AFL footballer is now faster, or stronger and more physically resourceful than ever and generally more skilled too,concepts not lost on St Kilda ruckman Jason Holmes when he emerged from almost total obscurity in 2015 to become the first born and bred American to play in the AFL. It was a truly remarkable achievement for a college basketballer whod never properly watched a full game, let alone played in one, or before the Saints secured him as an international rookie.
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Source: theguardian.com