Carlton may be the next AFL club to be lured by the prospect of signing a highly athletic ruckman from the pool of players coming from the United States. Following a procession of recent players, Matt Korchek – a former Arizona Wildcats basketballer – has caught the Blues’ attention and will come to Australia to try his luck.
There is a growing list of tall, athletic players entering AFL/VFL ranks from both basketball and American football backgrounds. Mason Cox is at Collingwood, Eric Wallace at North Melbourne, Jason Holmes is at St Kilda, whilst Alex Aurrichio, originally from the New York Magpies, is on the Northern Blues list – Carlton’s VFL affiliate.
At an impressive 206 cm and weighing in at an imposing 105kg, Korchek already has the frame to compete. His athleticism is also of the highest order, showing both great power and leaping ability but also clocking a 12 minute 3km Time Trial, underlining his athletic endurance.