Why ex-Swans defender is ditching Aussie rules to pursue NFL dream

Former Sydney fullback Will Gould is putting his Australian rules career on hold to pursue his dream of becoming an NFL player.

Gould, who made four senior appearances for the Swans after being selected at No.26 in the 2019 draft, most recently played for Glenelg in the SANFL after being delisted from the AFL last off-season.

Although he was just a month away from winning the SANFL flag with Glenelg, Gould couldn’t give up on his punting dream when it came after a conversation with his old friend Oscar Chapman, who now plays for Auburn in college football.

“It’s something I looked at and thought about when I was a bit younger, but obviously the AFL was always the dream, so that’s the way I went,” Gould said SEN SA Home run.

“But now that I’m out of the system, an opportunity has just come up to move to Melbourne and learn the trade.

“I went to school with a boy named Oscar Chapman. He played in the North Adelaide junior team and then went that route. He currently wrestles for Auburn.

“I kind of sent him a message on how to do it, and then I had the trial and the rest of the story.”

After completing a trial with ProKick Australia, the 23-year-old will move to Melbourne for 12 months where he will learn the trade of footy.

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

“I’m going to move to Melbourne for 12 months and learn a trade,” Gould said.

“Then in 2026 I will be accepted to college, if all goes well.

“I think if you’re good enough (then you can go pro). An Australian (Tori Taylor) has just been drafted and is doing well in Chicago.

“The program is called ProKick Australia, they’ll train me for 12-14 months and then send you to college if you’re up to it.”

Gould plans to pursue a teaching degree if he receives a scholarship to a US college through ProKick.