Editor's note: this is the second part of my interview with Tyler Ames. He's part of an exchange program with the USAFL and is suiting up with the Montrose Demons. Part I of the story is here.
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He’s been mentored by Motlop,
spoken to former Adelaide Crow champion Andrew McCloud, and met the Longs,
Riolis and so many others. Tyler even had the chance to meet Darwin legend Ali
Muir (Nicholls Medallist 1968-69) before Muir’s recent passing.
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Tyler said he’s played all over
the ground. He worked almost exclusively as a ruckman with Darwin, which
involved some transition since he played the forward line as a Denver Bulldog.
He’s been all over the field with Montrose, but says he’s most comfortable at
centre half forward and rotating into the ruck position at times.
“(Playing in Australia) has been
nothing short of incredible in every sense of the word. For someone who is just
experiencing footy for the first time really to embark on a journey like this
has been mind-blowing. The thing that I think strikes me most is the culture of
football and the community aspect that surrounds it. What I learned very quickly,
especially in Darwin, footy is family and family is footy and I’ve never seen
anything like it in the world,” he said.
So if the USAFL wanted someone
to truly immerse himself in footy and in Australia, they found their man. It’s
something Tyler has trouble believing. “In all honesty I still wake up and
can’t believe I’m actually living this life. I’m so unbelievably fortunate and
there’s still so much that I want to experience and get out of my footy and my
Australian adventure,” he said. “I do still have high aspirations of being one
of the best American players and I’d like to represent our team in the 2020 as
well as the 2023 footy World Cups.”
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