Aussie Jordan Mailata’s ‘ragdolling’ stuns NFL playoffs, books spot in Super Bowl

Australia’s Jordan Mailata has made his mark in the NFL playoffs with a steamrolling play to book his shot at Super Bowl redemption.

Australian Jordan Mailata will get a second shot at a first Super Bowl ring after his Philadelphia Eagles won their way through to the NFL decider.

Mailata will become the first Australian to play in two Super Bowls after the Eagles smashed the Washington Commanders 55-23 in the NFC conference championship game.

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Mailata showed why he is one of the most intimidating men in the NFL in a stunning passage of play early in the game against the Commanders.

Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts gave the ball to running back Saquon Barkley, who turned on the afterburners and sprinted through Washington’s defensive line.

A sea of Washington players parted like the Red Sea as Mailata and Eagles teammates Dallas Goedert and AJ Brown completely bulldozed Washington’s defence, allowing Barkley to run through a massive gap.

Watch Jordan Mailata’s play in the video above

Jordan Mailata steamrolled several defenders to help set up the touchdown.

Barkley then slipped through two tackle attempts at the 40-yard line, spinning through traffic to score a touchdown. He ran 70 yards to give Philadelphia the first touchdown of the game and all the momentum.

Commentators were in awe of Mailata’s brute strength that opened the field up for Barkley.

Philly Metro’s Anthony DiBona wrote on X: “Just watch Jordan Mailata and Dallas Goedert block on this play.”

Geoff Schwartz said: “(Eagles offensive line coach) Jeff Stoutland’s finest work (LT) just rag dolling his defender. Jordan Mailata is awesome.”

Stoutland identified Mailata, who had no college football experience, at a training camp in 2018 and Mailata was selected with pick 233 in the NFL Draft that year.

Saquon was sick but Jordan Mailata just cleared out like 3 guys on the left side!!!!

— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) January 26, 2025

Jordan Mailata after clinching another trip to the Super Bowl, was able to get on FaceTime with his mom and dad in Australia pic.twitter.com/cdipxv9Ips

— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) January 26, 2025

The 27-year-old played a handful of games with the South Sydney Rabbitohs juniors before turning to a sport that was more conducive to his hulking 166kg frame.

Standing at 203cm, the Aussie giant has become a key cog in the Eagles’ offence, regarded as one of the best offensive tackles in the game.

Last year he signed a signed a three-year, $100m contract extension, making him one of Australia’s highest paid athletes.

Most of Australia’s contingent of NFL players are punters, but Mailata is on the field more often in a prominent role with Philadelphia’s offence.

Jordan Mailata is an absolute weapon. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Mailata will get his chance at redemption after losing 38-35 to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl two years ago, a match that also featured Aussie punter Arryn Siposs, who was let go by the Eagles after an ugly punt ended with a match-deciding touchdown to the Chiefs.

Mailata is the fourth Australian to play in a Super Bowl, following punters Ben Graham (Arizona, 2009), Mitch Wishnowsky (San Francisco, 2020) and Siposs, but the first to get to the main game twice.

Only one Australian, Jesse Williams, has a Super Bowl ring after being part of the Seattle Seahawks roster in their 2014 triumph. But he didn’t play during the season because of injury.

The Eagles will play the Kansas City Chiefs after the reigning NFL champions defeated rivals the Buffalo Bills once again 32-29 in the AFC championship game.

The Chiefs, led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, are aiming to win their fourth Super Bowl in six years and their third NFL championship in a row.

Super Bowl LIX will be held in New Orleans on Monday, February 10 AEDT.

With NCA Newswire

Originally published as Aussie Jordan Mailata’s ‘ragdolling’ stuns NFL playoffs, books spot in Super Bowl