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"Got one more than Shaq!"
This story was in today's Herald-Sun...
STAR punting exports Mat McBriar and Ben Graham will compete in this month's NFL playoffs in the most successful season for Australians in league history.
It's the first time two Australians have reached the playoffs, and the national coach said it would trigger a flurry of Aussies trying to break into the NFL.
While McBriar and his Dallas Cowboys secured their playoff berth two weeks ago, former Geelong star Graham's New York Jets sealed their spot yesterday with a convincing 23-3 win against the Oakland Raiders.
Both sides face tough assignments in Monday's sudden-death wildcard playoff matches.
New York takes on Superbowl contender New England, while Dallas will be the underdog against Seattle.
McBriar leads the NFL in punting this season with an average of 48.2 yards a kick.
Last week he became the second Australian after former San Diego punter Darren Bennett to be selected for the end-of-season NFL Pro Bowl game.
Former Geelong captain Graham is also enjoying a good season, averaging 44.2 yards a kick and helping the Jets to a surprise playoff berth in what many expected to be a rebuilding season for the team.
And the coach of the Australian national side, Paul Manera, said the best was yet to come.
"This is something that is going to grow, and I have no doubt you are going to see a lot more Australian punters in the NFL," said Manera who, like McBriar, played college football at the University of Hawaii.
"This is just going to generate a lot more interest in the game.
"As Australian coach, I'm getting more and more players from the AFL contacting me seeing if we can get them opportunities overseas.
"The NFL is starting to see that Australia has athletes that can play at their level . . . and there is absolutely no reason why the NFL couldn't have all 32 punters from Australia."
Manera said McBriar and Graham were successfully following the path paved by former West Coast Eagle and Melbourne player Bennett, who had a successful 11-year NFL career.
"Since Bennett did what he did, more players are following in his footsteps," Manera said.
"Having these guys performing is encouraging kids to play and encouraging people to look at the sport."
Bennett reached the playoffs twice, with San Diego in 1995 and with Minnesota in 2004.
Graham, 33, who joined the Jets in 2005, and McBriar, 27, who joined the Cowboys in 2004, are the fourth and fifth Australians to play in the NFL. - AAP
