World Footy News

Over recent years, the AFL Queensland's various divisions have seen the likes of Canada's Scott Fleming, Sweden's Mattias Ewald and too many PNG youngsters to mention. Additionally, it has seen the lrish players such as Colm Begley and Pearce Hanley running around for the Brisbane Lions' reserves team.

The latest international to join the list is Bryan Dragus, a big American who, after one season with the Golden Gate Roos representative side and the GGAFL's Marin Mavericks, joins the Western Magpies - a club based on the west side of Brisbane.

The following story is courtesy of the Western Magpies.

The Western Magpies have signed 24 year old Bryan Dragus from Los Angeles California. Following his first training session for the club on Monday Night after arriving on Saturday the Magpies will be including the 198cm 98kg American on its 2010 QAFL Senior List.

He was identified by former Sherwood player Leigh Barnes who is involved the Golden Gate Roos who Dragus played for last season in the US. Former Western Magpies president Matt Vowles saw Dragus play for the Roos while on holidays in the States last year and came back spruiking about his raw talent and ability to club officials.

From that point Dragus made contact with Western Magpies CDM Anthony McDonald and from the beginning showed a determination to come to Australia of his own accord and have a go at making the Magpies 2010 list. From that point McDonald assisted Dragus to organise a 12 month visitation and work Visa and accommodation and employment on arrival in Brisbane.

Although Dragus has only played 8 games of football between his club competition in the US and at the US National AFL Championships his sporting background lends itself to a successful cross over to Australia’s Indigenous Game. At San Dimas High School he played American Football, Basketball, Baseball and represented 200m and 400m in Track and Field gaining his best accolades in Football as a Punter and Wide Receiver. He then attended California State University where he had no formal involvement in sport but actively participated in the Basketball Program.

In 2008 a mate who hailed from Melbourne and played with Roos encouraged Bryan to have a go at AFL and he initially gave it a miss but eventually came around and joined the club in 2009. In just his first season he won the club best and fairest and gained an invitation train with the US National Team, The Revolution.

Bryan Dragus said, “I am both excited and nervous about trying to make a contribution at an Australian Club and am enjoying being in Brisbane. My goal is to learn and develop as much as I can, play in the QAFL, make the US National Team for the next International Cup and enjoy the Australian Culture.”

Western Magpies Coach Paul Grentell said, “It was definitely an experiment getting Bryan over but from what he demonstrated at his first training session it may very well come off. He has very good hands, is good below his knees for a big fella, is a competitor and had no problem getting through the first session aerobically and he is quite quick for his size.

His handball skills are good and he needs to work on his kicking but has the basics and we think he can contribute strongly to our structure and set up.”

The full article can be read at the Western Magpies homepage.