Aussies Abroad: Punters ‘Cheat code’ Michael Dickson, ‘wizard’ Cameron Johnston stun NFL
AUSTRALIAN punters Michael Dickson and Cameron Johnston have set the NFL alight in week one, Americans falling in love with the Down Under boys with booming legs. How did all the Aussies fair and what’s Ben Simmons up to?
NFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
IT SEEMS there aren’t enough superlatives to describe Michael Dickson’s history-making NFL debut.
The rookie Seattle Seahawks punter lived up to all expectations against the Broncos in Denver on Monday (EST).
“Cannot be human”, “ridiculous”, “what a weapon”, “cheat code” was just some of the praise used as the Colorado altitude helped the Sydney native and former Sydney Swans Academy product claim his place in the record books.
WEEK ONE: WHAT WE LEARNED
DEBUT: DICKSON SPARKLES FOR SEAHAWKS
Michael Dickson punting in Denver is like using a cheat code. pic.twitter.com/jZdW8Q8l31
— Gordon McGuinness (@PFF_Gordon) September 9, 2018
Dickson’s six punts averaged 59 yards (54 metres), the second-best single game in Seattle history.
The net average (punt yards minus return) of 57.5 yards was the second best single game in NFL history. That’s 98 years of history.
The performance drew praise from Seattle coach Pete Carroll while superstar quarterback Russell Wilson said Dickson’s skills gave him the confidence to take more chances.
“Oh my gosh, what a kicker, man, what a kicker … the punts were gorgeous but not just the distance of the punts but the placement of the punts too,” Carroll said after the 24-27 loss.
“When it’s third down, I’ve spun out and made a lot of plays. I would probably say most of the time it works. Sometimes it doesn’t. I think we have a really good punter, the good thing is, he can kick it all the way at the end of the field so I take my chances,” Wilson said.
Dickson booming boot flipped the field for Seattle on several occasions, with four punts downed inside the opposition 20 yard line and two inside six yards. His longest kick sailed 69 yards.
On the other side of the field, Adam Gotsis got the start at defensive end for the Broncos.
The Melburnian had a solid outing knocking down two of Wilson’s passes and could have had an interception after showing quick reflexes to stop a pass at close range but lost control of the ball.
FANS FALL IN LOVE WITH ‘WIZARD’ JOHNSTON
DICKSON wasn’t the only Australian punter making noise in week one.
Geelong’s Cameron Johnston debuted for reigning Super Bowl champions Philadelphia in Atlanta on Friday (EST) with an equally impressive outing.
Without Denver’s favourable conditions, Johnston averaged 52 yards (net 47 yards) on six attempts with one downed inside the opposition 20.
The former Melbourne Demons rookie launched his first punt 58 yards and unleashed a 65-yarder in the Eagles’ win.
Social media lit up with praise for the punter — rare for one of the most maligned positions in the NFL — with Johnston described as a “wizard” with a “bazooka for a leg”.
Cam Johnston has a damn bazooka for a leg
— Joe Erdman (@joee_strength) September 7, 2018
Johnston’s Eagles teammate, Jordan Mailata, made headlines around the world after making Philadelphia’s 53-man roster last week.
However, the former NRL players was inactive for the season opener with teams only allowed to field 46 players for each game.
There were quieter games for fellow Aussie punters Jordan Berry in Pittsburgh’s draw with Cleveland and Lachie Edwards in New York Jets opener against Detroit.
Berry — in his fourth year with the Steelers — finished with seven punts at an average of 39.3 yards (37.1 net) but importantly three downed inside the 20.
Edwards only got three punts as the Jets monstered the Lions. The third-year punter averaged 37 yards as he worked mainly in short fields.
However, he did show his pin-point placement with two kicks landing in the 20, including one that locked the Lions inside five yards.
NBA
THE KING AND FRESH PRINCE TEAM UP
AUSSIE Ben Simmons had a busy week, teaming up with his mentor and fellow Klutch Sports man LeBron James in a pick up game, the pair producing the mother of all mixtapes.
The reigning rookie of the year’s length, athleticism, passing and finishing ability was all on show, but was overshadowed by a hulking James, who threw down a number of nasty dunks and showed off what looked like an improved outside stroke.
Philly did its best to lure James in the off-season, eventually losing out to the LA Lakers, and all this shows is what we’re missing out on … for now.
Simmons’ contract is up at the end of 2020 and, given the close relationship between he and James, Philly could be forgiven for being just a little worried he might pack his bags for LA LA Land.
BEN GETS HIS OWN TV SHOW
AS if he wasn’t busy enough, Simmons will now appear on the small screen in his own reality show.
US TV network NBC is planning to make a comedy TV series titled Brotherly Love based on Simmons’ big, multiracial family.
Simmons and his brother Sean Tribe will be consulting producers and, of course, NBA great LeBron James’ SpringHill Entertainment production company is behind the series.
We’re not normally big on reality shows, but you can never have enough Simmons.
MLB
REJUVENATED HENDRIKS IMPRESSING
PERTH-BORN pitcher Liam Hendriks is enjoying somewhat of a career renaissance in an unconventional role as the Oakland Athletics “opener”.
That means he pitches the first one or two innings and then goes back to the bullpen, replaced by a more conventional starter.
After being designated for assignment in June, Hendriks went back to the A’s Triple-A affiliate in Nashville and tinkered with the mechanics of his pitch, upping his fastball speed and winning a spot back.
He threw just the one inning in each of the first two games against the Texas Rangers on Friday and Sunday — both wins for the A’s.
NHL
AUSSIE CHAMP BELONGS WITH CAPS
Australia’s history-maker Nathan Walker is confident of winning a place with Stanley Cup winners Washington Capitals.
The Sydney native, played nine games in his debut season in 2017-18, seven with the Caps and two with Edmonton.
Walker started — and after a brief stint with the Oilers — finished the season in Washington and lifted the Stanley Cup as part of the Capitals’ playoffs squad.
Walker only played one game in the playoffs but made the most of his chance, providing an assist to help Washington eliminate two-time reigning champions Pittsburgh Penguins.
Returning to training ahead of the Capitals’ pre-season, Walker said that experience showed he belonged at the highest level.
“Everything from playing the first game, the first goal, to being able to lift that trophy over your head and then getting married, it’s definitely been a fun-filled year,” Walker told NBC Sports.
“I think that (playoff) game I played, I showed that I can play in the league.
“I can keep up with the players here and hopefully I can just build off from that and just have a good camp and go from there.”
Walker will have plenty of competition for a roster spot and will have to impress a new head coach after Todd Reirden replaced Barry Trotz behind the bench.
*Each week, Ben Higgins and Michael Randall will look at the Aussies making waves in the big US leagues.
Originally published as Aussies Abroad: Punters ‘Cheat code’ Michael Dickson, ‘wizard’ Cameron Johnston stun NFL