Former Saint Arryn Siposs on the ‘bittersweet’ ending to NFL career before joining VFL coaching ranks

Arryn Siposs was loving life as an NFL punter before it all ended – and while the former AFL player says he’s grateful for the opportunity, he wishes it lasted a little longer.

Former NFL punter Arryn Siposs with wife Rachael and two-year-old Sadie. Picture: Wayne Taylor

Melbourne born-and-bred former NFL punter Arryn Siposs has spoken of his “bittersweet’’ feelings of returning to Australia after an abrupt end to his US sporting career.

Siposs this year flirted with history in an attempt to become the first Australian to win the Super Bowl – the biggest prize in US sport.

But his dream fell agonisingly short when his Philadelphia Eagles lost a Super Bowl classic to the Kansas City Chiefs by three points and his NFL career ground to a halt.

Home in Melbourne after taking up a development coaching role with Hawthorn, Siposs told the Saturday Herald Sun he was thrilled to be pursuing a new career.

“This is a great opportunity that I’ve got now with Hawthorn and I’m super excited by the next phase and can’t wait to get into that,’’ he said.

Siposs is keen for his first Christmas in Australia with his wife and daughter. Picture: Wayne Taylor

And he was looking forward to spending his first Christmas in Australia with wife Rachael, their two year-old-daughter Sadie and their friends and family.

“It’s the first one that Sadie is going to have at home with all family and friends, which will be very nice,’’ he said.

“She’s very much into the Christmas spirit already.’’

But he was disappointed his NFL career came to a premature end after coming so close to a fairytale.

“To be honest, I’m probably in a little bit of a bitter sweet moment right now,’’ he said. “Obviously I can look back on it and be very happy with what has been achieved over there. “And if I’d spoken to you six years ago I wouldn’t in my wildest drams of expected to be playing in the NFL – it was all just dream and I didn’t expect it at all – so I’m very proud of that too.

“But at the same time it was a bit of an abrupt end and, probably being selfish here, I would have liked for it to last a little bit longer.

“But that’s just the way it goes and that is the business.’’

Siposs punting in the 2023 Super Bowl. Picture: Rob Carr / Getty Images

Siposs came agonisingly close to ultimate glory. Picture: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images

After his NFL career drew to a close, Siposs said he was content coming home for a VFL coaching role at Williamstown before Hawthorn swooped on his services.

While he was determined to succeed, the former St Kilda forward was not sure if he held senior AFL coaching ambitions.

“I probably haven’t thought that far ahead to be honest,’’ he said.

“I’m just excited by the opportunity to be able to be on the coaching staff and see where it takes me.

“Certainly the coaching aspect is something I’ve always looked at, even before I went over to America.

“It’s certainly a passion of mine to be able to start out by helping the younger generation coming through and then see where that takes me down the track.’’

Siposs said there was “a couple of things I can definitely bring from the NFL game over to the AFL’’.

Siposs during his playing days at the Saints. Picture: Chris Eastman

And amid huge growth in the popularity of the NFL in Australia, including the AFL staging a Super Bowl party at Marvel Stadium next year, he saw potential for a historic first game in Melbourne.

“Who knows what happens in the next few years,’’? he said.

“Maybe we might be lucky enough to get a game here.

“I think it would be huge. I think we would get some really big numbers to be a part if it.

“I know a lot of Australians travel over to America every year … to have everyone here to watch a game would be awesome.’’

He also hoped his own success in the US inspired a new generation of Aussies to chase their NFL dreams.

“I’d like to think that the way things have gone over the last few years that it does bring kids the determination to go over there and try something different,’’ he said.