World Footy News

In news from the United States' NFL, where several Australian footballers have converted to American football, it's play-off time for two former AFL players.

Ben Graham will feature in a playoff game for his new team the Arizona Cardinals next week, although he has been in the playoffs once before with his former team the New York Jets. After arriving with the Cards late in a turbulent season for the former Geelong captain, he has punted well and held well for Kicker Neil Rackers. Although Graham is not hitting any massive punts it seems his accuracy – particularly on the shorter punts is working well for his new team.

The Cardinals today defeated the Seattle Seahawks in the final regular season match 34-21. Graham punted three times for an average (and net average) of 42.7 yards including two inside the 20 yard line. He also held for four successful conversions and two successful field goal attempts. After recent poor performances (one win from their last five games), the Cardinals will be heartened by a good result going into next week’s match. Graham’s former team the New York Jets, who cut Graham earlier this season have missed out on the playoffs after a final round loss 24-17 to the Miami Dolphins. The Cardinals will host Atlanta in the first week of the playoffs, and seem to be a much better side at home than away.

But Ben Graham will not be the only Australian in the NFL playoffs this year. In Dallas Sav Rocca punted for the Eagles against the Dallas Cowboys. Both teams needed to win after both Tampa Bay and Chicago lost their final games earlier in the day. The Eagles won well 44-6 and the former North Melbourne and Collingwood forward punted three times with a 42.7 yards and a 41.3 yard net average.

The Eagles will travel to Minnesota to take on the Vikings next week. It will be Rocca’s first NFL playoff game after coming to the Eagles after retiring from North Melbourne in 2006.