Magpies Sign Californian

MAGPIES SIGN CALIFORNIAN BIG MAN

Wednesday, 10 February, 2010

The Western Magpies have thrown their recruiting net across the Pacific to sign 24-year-old Bryan Dragus from Los Angeles, California.

On the strength of his first training session for the club on Monday night, having arrived in the country last Saturday, the Magpies have confirmed the 198cm / 98kg American, who has played just eight games of football in his life, will be included on the club’s 2010 QAFL Senior List.

Magpies Club Development Manager Anthony McDonald explains that Dragus was identified by former Sherwood player Leigh Barnes, who is involved the Golden Gate Roos where Dragus played last season.

Former Magpies president Matt Vowles also saw Dragus play for the Roos while on holidays in the US last year and came back spruiking about his raw talent and ability to club officials.

Dragus made contact with McDonald and, after showed a determination to come to Australia and earn a spot on the Magpies list, was helped by the club to organise a 12-month visitation and work visa, plus accommodation and employment in Brisbane.

McDonald says that although Dragus has had limited actual football experience spread between his club competition in the US and at the US National AFL Championships, his sporting background lends itself to a successful transition to AFL.

“At San Dimas High School he played American Football, basketball and baseball, and represented in track & field over 200m and 400m. He gained his best accolades in football as a punter and wide receiver,” said McDonald.

“He then attended California State University where he had no formal involvement in sport but actively participated in the basketball program.”

In 2008 a friend who hailed from Melbourne and played with Roos encouraged Dragus to try his hand at AFL. Initially he chose to gave it a miss, but he joined the club in 2009.

In just his first season he won the club best and fairest and gained an invitation train with the US national team, the Revolution.

Said Dragus: “I am both excited and nervous about trying to make a contribution at an Australian club and am enjoying being in Brisbane.

“My goal is to learn and develop as much as I can, to play in the QAFL, to make the US national team for the next International Cup and to enjoy the Australian culture.”

Magpies coach Paul Grentell said: “It was definitely an experiment getting Bryan over but from what he demonstrated at his first training session it may very well come off. He has very good hands, is good below his knees for a big fella, is a competitor and had no problem getting through the first session aerobically. And he is quite quick for his size.

“His handball skills are good, and although he needs to work on his kicking he has the basics and we think he can contribute strongly to our structure and set up.”

Dragus will play his first game for the Magpies as part of an U21 team playing the Western Taipans in the annual Russell Green Memorial match on Saturday at 4pm at Chelmer.

- League Administrator