With that in mind, we take a look at the current crop of
Australians in the NFL to assess how they have been performing during the 2023 season.
Jordan Mailata – Philadelphia Eagles
The former South Sydney Rabbitohs rugby league player has established himself as a key component in the Eagles line-up since being selected in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Mailata has caused a storm during the early part of this season, with his team’s controversial ‘Tush Push’ play attracting criticism from NFL traditionalists.
The Eagles’ use of the tactic has helped them rattle off five successive victories this term to leave them well on course to progress to the play-offs.
Mitch Wishnowsky – San Francisco 49ers
Wishnowsky has proved to be an ally of sports bettors in recent weeks, delivering several important punts to help the 49ers record five consecutive victories.
Two timely efforts against the Dallas Cowboys were crucial to the 49ers covering the points spread in a game against their closest challengers in NFC East.
Given Wishnowsky’s current form, NFL punters will be scouring this
list of betting sites to find the best odds on the 49ers defeating the Cleveland Browns this weekend.
Daniel Faalele – Baltimore Ravens
While Wishnowsky was helping bettors boost their bankroll last weekend, Faalele was doing his best to scupper the Ravens’ chances of defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers.
His inability to get to grips with TJ Watt cost the AFC North team dearly as they slipped to their second defeat in five outings this season.
Faalele has been touted by some pundits as an eventual replacement for Morgan Moses, but he has a long way to go before he can match up to his talents.
Arryn Siposs – Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles went into the new season with doubts about Siposs’ ability to be their long-term punter and gave him three games to prove himself.
He lasted just two before the Eagles axed him, with his inconsistency proving to be too much for a team with Super Bowl aspirations to live with.
Replacement Braden Mann nailed a successful 41-yard punt in the Eagles’ 23-14 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday and looks set to be handed the job for the rest of the season.
Michael Dickson – Seattle Seahawks
Unlike his aforementioned compatriot, Dickson has no concerns over his future after Seattle Seahawks made him the highest-paid punter in the NFL.
His ability to manipulate the ball around the field has helped the Seahawks to a 3-1 record this season and they are strongly fancied to progress to the post-season.
Many respected pundits believe Dickson is the best punter in the league by a considerable distance and it is tough to argue with their viewpoint.
Cameron Johnston – Houston Texans
Johnston missed the early part of the season with a calf injury, but he was restored to the line-up for the Texans’ game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
He made six punts for a total of 234 yards at an average of 39 yards per punt, with two of his efforts finishing inside the 20-yard line.
However, his return to action did not help the Texans, with their opponents staging a late rally to secure a 21-19 victory.
Adam Gotsis – Jacksonville Jaguars
Gotsis is the Jaguars’ regular starter on the left edge and has contributed to their recent upturn in fortunes in the competitive AFC South division.
The Jaguars recorded two impressive victories in London, defeating the Falcons 23-7 before following up with a hard-fought 25-20 win against the Buffalo Bills.
Gotsis has recorded seven tackles this season and looks set to remain a key part of their defensive unit for the rest of the campaign.
Brad Wing – Pittsburgh Steelers
Wing had not played in the NFL since December 2017, making his recent return to action with the Steelers one of the most surprising comebacks this season.
He led the XFL with an average of 47.8 yards per punt in 2023 – form which prompted the Steelers to turn to him when Pressley Harvin III suffered a hamstring injury.
Despite posting impressive numbers in his two appearances, Wing has been released from the Steelers’ practice squad to allow Harvin to resume his punting duties.
