Why former Swans defender is putting Aussie rules to the side to chase NFL dream

11/01/2024 06:10 PM

Former Sydney defender Will Gould is putting his Aussie Rules career on hold to chase his dream of becoming an NFL punter.

Gould, who played four senior games for the Swans after being drafted at pick No. 26 in the 2019 Draft, most recently played for Glenelg in the SANFL after his AFL delisting last off-season.

While he's only a month on from winning a SANFL flag with Glenelg, Gould couldn't say no to chasing the punting dream once it presented itself after a chat with his old friend Oscar Chapman, who is now punting for Auburn in college football.

"It's something I looked at and considered when I was a bit younger, but obviously AFL was always the dream, so I went down that path," Gould told SEN SA The Run Home.

"But now of being back out of the system, an opportunity has just presented itself to move to Melbourne and learn the craft.

"I went to school with a guy called Oscar Chapman. He played at North Adelaide through the juniors and then he went down that path. He's punting for Auburn over there at the moment. 

"I sort of messaged him about how to go about it, then from there, I had a trial and the rest of history."

Having completed a trial with ProKick Australia, the long-kicking 23-year-old will next move to Melbourne for 12 months where he'll learn the punting craft.

From there, he hopes to land at a college in the States and put his hand up to go pro in the NFL if he performs to the level.

"I'll move to Melbourne for 12 months and learn the craft,' Gould said.

"Then in 2026, I'll get placed at a college if all goes smoothly.

"I guess from there if you're good enough (you can then go pro). An Aussie (Tory Taylor) guy just got drafted and is doing well at Chicago.

"The program's called ProKick Australia, they'll coach me up for 12-14 months then send you off to college if you can make it."

Gould plans to undertake a teaching degree if he earns a scholarship to a US college via ProKick.