A few years back (think it was 2009) a young American lad - Andrew Werner was playing AFL footy down in Mt Barker WA. The Eagles had him playing down there for development. His mother came over to visit him and stayed at my place for a week (she was the friend of friend of mine from Barwon Heads).
He was progressing very well with AFL footy at Mt Barker, and at that time, someone from the Eagles was trying to convince him to transfer and complete his University studies to a WA Uni and they would place him in a WAFL team the next season. However he decided to return home to US.
A few months later while Andrew was backpacking home to the US there was a program about him on the Statewide (WA) 7.30 Report on ABCTV on his footy prowress. I contacted the ABC and gave them his mother address and they forwarded a copy of the program over to her and Andrew, which they were so thrilled with.
Last night my friend from Barwon Heads, told me she was travelling to Minnesota in July this year to attend Andrew's wedding. She told me that The Saints had invited Andrew to attend their training camp in Colarado which he found fantastic.
It seems Andrew has been chosen in the All- American Australian Rules team over the past few years.
He plays for the Minnesota Freeze Australian Rules Football Team. I can remember his mother telling me that often the gounds the Freeze played their games on were covered in ice, and Andrew got some terrible burn injuries.
Joaney didn't like him playing Aussie Rules, too dangerous for her liking. He had been knocked out in one game at Mt Barker when we went down there to watch him play. As she was in the medical profession she was wary of the contact nature of the sport, especially head injuries.
Interesting the Saints had invited the lad to train with them in the US, after the Eagles had been sniffing around him a few years ago. As they had arranged for him to do some of his Uni studies that year with a WA uni.
Possibly one of the Eagles connection who are now with the Saints, bought him to the Saints attention......................... could it be Tony Micale ?????
Why are they interested in Andrew? Does he still show promise?
I'll definitley have my friend give Andrew the 3rd degree when she attends his wedding. As long as she doesn't alert the Geelong Pussy Cats to him, as her brother is on the Cats Board.
Any of you ex-pats in America near Minnesota, you might want to follow up on him. See if Andrew could be our next Full Back that we have hidden away