Taking to game like Bull at a gate
JORDAN GERRANS AS a rugby union player from Otago, new Cairns Falcons quarterback Sam Bull never thought he would be lining up under centre on the gridiron field.
Back home in New Zealand, there are no gridiron leagues for Bull and the countless other NFL fans that live across the ditch.
After relocating to the Far North, where he plays as a flanker for Barron River in FNQ Rugby in the winter, Bull has grabbed the opportunity to play the sport he adores with both hands.
The Falcons will open their Far North season on their home field this afternoon when they host Mackay in Round 3 of the North Queensland gridiron series.
“It is all about the love of the game for me,” Bull said.
“A lot of our team have clicked watching the sport before and we are lucky here to have a competition to play in.
“It is not big in Australia but we are lucky here, me being a Kiwi, we do not have it back home so I was keen as to play when I moved here.”
As a rookie carrying the title of quarterback, which effectively runs the team, Bull says he is lucky to have former Falcons quarterback Bayden Docking, among other experienced players in the squad, to help him learn the trade.
First-year Falcons coach Jim Garcia says Bull, who last night became a late withdrawal from today’s game, says he will be a key part of the team for the rest of the season.
“It is going to take him a while to settle into the position but once he gets there, I think he is going to be something to watch,” Garcia said.
“This game is all broken up into sections, receivers and running backs that have their bits to learn but Sam, as the quarterback, needs to learn everything.
“There is a lot of weight on his shoulders, he has been thrown right in the deep end.
“But, when he came in, he had that confidence about him, and a rifle for an arm, he can really throw a ball.”
The Falcons fell in their first game of the season a fortnight ago against Townsville at their home ground. They host Mackay Mavericks at 5pm this afternoon at Vico Oval.