Aussie Abroad: Michael Dickson’s stunning dropkick, ‘Hammer Time’ Cam Johnston earns legendary NFL praise
ROOKIE Aussie punter Michael Dickson has wowed the NFL with an audacious dropkick that had analysts scrambling for the history books as Cam Johnston continued his record-breaking start. HOW DID THE AUSSIES FARE?
NFL
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WE knew Michael Dickson had a big bag of punting tricks, but we weren’t expecting this.
The Seattle Seahawks rookie sent commentators and fans scrambling for the history books after breaking out a drop kick in the loss to Chicago on Tuesday.
The rugby union style kickoff is rarely seen in the NFL, the New England Patriots the last team to attempt it in 2015.
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CULT FIGURE: PHILLY LOVES CAM JOHNSTON
Michael Dickson is the superhero we all need.
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) September 18, 2018
DROP KICK KICKOFF pic.twitter.com/tdfZYdodZD
Australians and University of Texas (Dickson’s college team) weren’t surprised given his Aussie Rules background and Ray Guy Award-winning exploits.
Dickson attempted another with 14 seconds left as Seattle pressed for a game-tying touchdown but his kick was gathered by the Bears to end the game.
While it was a dirty night for the Seahawks, Dickson again impressed despite one shanked kick after a dodgy snap.
No. I’ve never played rugby. (🤘🤘🤘) pic.twitter.com/le6HFDLsUb
— Michael Dickson (@mdcksn) September 18, 2018
Dickson finished with seven punts, averaging 45.1 yards, down from his record-setting 59-yard average in Week 1.
One Twitter user even suggested he could teach Penrith NRL star Nathan Cleary a thing or two about kicking.
“Someone get Mr Dickson to work with Nathan Cleary...that is just beautiful and I didn’t even know you could do that in American football,” Josh Barnett wrote.
Someone get Mr Dickson to work with Nathan Cleary...that is just beautiful and I didn't even know you could do that in American football 😂 https://t.co/mkfkDgwBCu
— Josh Barnett 🇦🇺 (@v8tiger) September 18, 2018
Michael Dickson is a magician
— Billy Broome (@sweeper4) September 18, 2018
Happy thought: Michael Dickson is the best player at his position than any player is at their own position in this game. #SEAvsCHI
— 12th Man Rising (@12thMan_Rising) September 18, 2018
MICHAEL DICKSON IS THE GOAT. DON'T @ ME
— Chris Ngy (@mrknee) September 18, 2018
CAM’S HAMMER TIME
IT WAS “hammer time” in Tampa Bay for Aussie Cam Johnston.
After an impressive debut last week, the Eagles punter stepped it up another notch on Monday earning his place in the record books and drawing praise from former Indianapolis punter Pat McAfee.
McAfee, a two-time Pro Bowler and 2014 All-Pro, couldn’t get enough of Johnston’s game on Twitter as he launched a 65-yard bomb.
🗣 HAMMER TIME FOR THE AUSSIE IN PHILADELPHIA #FORTHEBRAND pic.twitter.com/FldyefuYel
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 16, 2018
Johnston’s five punts went for an average of 56 yards (51 metres) with three kicks trapping the opposition inside their 20 yard line.
According to NBC’s Reuben Frank, Johnston’s two-game average of 53.9 yards to start his career is the best mark in 49 years and the third best in NFL history.
The SportsTalkPhilly blog gave the former Melbourne Demons rookie a backhanded compliment after his impressive performance.
“It’s hard to make punting exciting but Cam Johnston is doing his best to make it fun,” the website said.
“For the second straight week, punting is one of the biggest positives … that’s not a good thing.”
Cameron Johnston’s 53.9 average is highest in 49 years and 3rd-highest in NFL history by a punter after two games behind Steve O’Neal of the Jets in 1969 [56.9] and Dennis Partee of the Chargers in 1968 [56.0].
— Reuben Frank (@RoobNBCS) September 17, 2018
Cameron Johnston should just punt on every play.
— Reuben Frank (@RoobNBCS) September 16, 2018
And if the opening weeks of the NFL season are anything to go by the all-Australian battle between rookies Johnston and Dickson is going to be a lot of fun to watch.
It was a strong week for Australian punters with Lachie Edwards and Jordan Berry both improving on their Week 1 efforts.
New York Jet Edwards launched a 60-yarder to average 52 yards on five punts against Miami.
Pittsburgh’s Berry boosted his average from 39.3 to 46.4 on five punts against Kansas City.
Meanwhile in Oakland, Denver defensive end Adam Gotsis had one tackle as the Broncos snatched victory at the death against the Raiders.
After a solid start in last week’s win over Seattle, Gotsis was again important in the Broncos’ pass rush.
NBA
BELIEVE THE AUSSIE HYPE: DELLY
IT might be stating the bleeding obvious, but Milwaukee Buck Matthew Dellavedova is buying into the Aussie basketball hype train.
Dellavedova told AAP yesterday he believes Aussie basketball is on the verge of a “golden era”.
It’s easy to see why, with 11 players currently on NBA rosters (some battling to stay there).
“It’s an awesome time to be an Australian involved in basketball over here because there are so many exciting players coming through,” Dellavedova said.
“Obviously, Ben is the biggest name of them all but you’ve also got Jonah Bolden joining him at the Sixers, Thon (Maker) with me at Milwaukee and Dante (Exum) back healthy again.”
The NBA champion says he’s excited to see Frankston boy Ryan Broekhoff debut for the Dallas Mavericks.
“I’m really excited for Ryan Broekhoff to get his chance with Dallas,” he said.
“He’s a guy that’s good enough to play in the NBA and has been for a number of years.”
■ List of Aussies in the NBA: Ben Simmons, Jonah Bolden (Philadelphia 76ers); Aron Baynes (Boston Celtics); Joe Ingles, Dante Exum (Utah Jazz); Matthew Dellavedova, Thon Maker (Milwaukee Bucks); Ryan Broekhoff (Dallas Mavericks); Patty Mills (San Antonio Spurs); Mitch Creek (Brooklyn Nets); Deng Adel (Toronto Raptors).
MLB
HENDRIKS MAKING A’S STRATEGY WORK
OAKLAND is continuing to use Perth pitcher Liam Hendriks to open its match ups and he’s making it work.
The 29-year-old started and pitched one inning in match ups on Thursday and Sunday for the A’s, conceding one hit in each.
The A’s had mixed results in those games, routing Baltimore 10-0, but falling to Tampa Bay 5-7.
Hendriks has accrued a 5.60 ERA and 1.698 WHIP with 17 strikeouts over 17.2 innings this season. He’s only conceded two hits in his past five innings of work.
*Each week, Ben Higgins and Michael Randall will look at the Aussies making waves in the big US leagues.
Originally published as Aussie Abroad: Michael Dickson’s stunning dropkick, ‘Hammer Time’ Cam Johnston earns legendary NFL praise