Making it to the top in one sport is hard enough, but Callum Wilson is looking to go one better.
The former AFL player has his sights set on taking his kicking talents all the way to America’s National Football League.
Wilson, who plays with Diggers Rest in the Riddell District Football League, possesses one thing all NFL clubs search for: a booming kick.
With that in his arsenal, he plans to get some experience in Canada early next year before, he hopes, crossing into the USA’s elite competition to try his luck as a punter.
“You need to show you’ve played before and understand the game,” Wilson explained.
“You can’t really go straight into the NFL unless you’re a freak like Sav Rocca or someone like that, so I want to get some experience in Canada first.
“I’m not looking too far ahead. I’ll be trying to get over there for try-outs in April next year and see how it goes.”
With kicking distance not an issue, Wilson said the main thing he needed to work on to make the grade as an NFL punter was consistency.
“A good kick is regarded as a 45-yard, four to five-second hang-time kick,” he said.
“That’s pretty gettable most of the time, but consistency is the main thing and if you can only hit that five times out of 10 then you’re not going to make it.
“That’s what I am working on, just doing it all the time.
“The power was always going to be okay . . . it’s all about the consistency.”
The 25-year-old was drafted by West Coast with pick number 55 in the 2008 rookie draft.
In his time as an Eagle, Wilson played seven games and kicked 13 goals.
After his AFL career ended, he went on to play one season for the Port Adelaide Magpies in the South Australian National Football League.
Following a break from football, Wilson signed on with the Burras three weeks ago and has made an immediate impact with four goals in two matches, both of which Diggers Rest won.
“Playing for Diggers Rest has been great so far,” Wilson said.
“We’ve had a couple of good wins.
“I held off from playing for most of the year to try to avoid injury.
“It’s been a bit hard with the punting during the winter because it’s wet quite a bit and it’s hard to get to training with work and everything else.
“I was really keen to get out there and have a few games.”
Before he jets off to Canada, Wilson is hoping to have even more success with Diggers Rest.
After having the bye last week, the fourth-placed Burras will travel to take on top-of-the-table Romsey at Romsey Park on Saturday.
“The intent is to push into finals and go pretty deep,” he said.
“Having jumped on board at this time the main thing is just to get a few games under my belt.
“Hopefully, I’ll be in good nick when the finals come around.
“That’s definitely what we’re aiming towards.”
