NFL star Rob Gronkowski knows how to make Melbourne the American football capital of Australia

Rob ‘Gronk’ Gronkowski knows a thing or two about NFL — including how to make Melbourne the sport’s home away from home.

NFL great Rob Gronkowski believes Melbourne’s sporting coup will help Victoria touch down a long term deal to bring American football to Victoria annually. Picture: Ian Currie

NFL great Rob Gronkowski believes Melbourne’s sporting coup in luring regular season matches to the MCG will help Victoria touch down a long term deal to bring American football to Victoria annually.

The Herald Sun this month revealed Melbourne would become the first Australian city to score an NFL match, with a regular season showdown locked in for the MCG in 2026.

But, in an exclusive interview, four time Super Bowl champion “Gronk” predicted Melbourne’s historic NFL fixture at the MCG would be the first of many regular season matches of the hugely popular US sport held each year in Australia’s sporting capital.

Gronk predicted Melbourne’s historic NFL fixture at the MCG would be the first or many regular season matches of the hugely popular US sport. Picture: Ian Currie

“It’s going to be a big hit, I’m sure,” he said.

“I think it’s going to be a success and become a regular thing.

“It’s been a success over in Europe. It’s been a success in Brazil this year, it’s going to be a success in Australia, there is no doubt about it.

“There are so many NFL fans, there are so many sports fans here so it’s going to be huge.”

Gronkowski on Saturday lapped up the action on course at Caulfield Racecourse for the Blue Diamond, cheering for a horse named after him and saying all the right things about Australia.

“The weather is beautiful … the people here are so kind and friendly. I just love Australia,” he said.

“Australians are just so cool. I love all the lingo that you guys have as well.

“I’ve been called a good mate, a good bloke, a goof..someone called me a prick and I take it as a compliment.

“That’s some great slang.

“I’m taking it over to the United States.”

American NFL player Rob Gronkowski promoting the game at the Caulfield races on Blue Diamond Stakes Day. Picture: Ian Currie

The future NFL hall of famer, brought to Australia by betting giant Sportsbet, was intrigued by AFL, which he described as “a combination of American football, rugby and soccer.”

“It’s wild,” he said.

“I’m a fan of it, I’ve watched some highlights and there are some vicious hits.

“I don’t know how you guys take these hits without shoulder pads.

“I would never put myself out to want to do that.

“I’ve got to give full props to you Australians to run straight at each other with no equipment.”

While Melbourne’s NFL matches would lure fans from interstate as well as locally, Gronkowski said they would also entice masses of fans from the US to travel to Victoria in a boost to the economy as well as TV ratings. “Especially because they have time to plan their trip,” he said.

Surprised by how popular the sport already was in Australia, he reckoned hosting NFL matches on Aussie soil would do wonders for talent from down under heading to the US to chase their gridiron dreams.

And he said Jordan Mailata recently becoming the first Aussie to win the Super Bowl for a Philadelphia Eagles team among the favourites to take part in the MCG clash with the LA Rams, would spike interest in the NFL in Australia even more.

While Melbourne’s NFL matches would lure fans from interstate as well as locally, Gronkowski said they would also entice masses of fans from the US to travel to Victoria. Picture: Ian Currie

“It’s just special what he has done, he’s an inspiration to all the young bucks out here in Australia to be recognised more and get more opportunities,” he said.

“To be able to get a shot at the NFL in America … he’s an inspiration and it’s been amazing what he’s done to be able to expand the game, especially here in Australia.”

The New England Patriots legend, who played alongside Tom Brady, was almost as excited about meeting a kangaroo and eating “wonderful” Aussie beef since arriving in Melbourne this week as the prospect of a blockbuster Aussie NFL match he was convinced would sell out.

But with the Herald Sun this month revealing Melbourne would also become the first Aussie city to host an NBA series, having already hosted NHL matches, Gronkowski was blown away by the city’s sporting status.

“It just feels like Melbourne is the Australian sporting Mecca,” he said.

“There are so many amazing stadiums and obviously so many sports fans.

“It’s incredible.”