Reprinted from The Merridin-Wheatbelt Mercury, May 20, 2009

The Bruce Rock Football Club last week played host to two American visitors who are studying in Australia for four months.

The students made their way to Bruce Rock to play their very first game of AFL football.

Nick Noner and Michael Jaeger are international students studying at Notre Dame University in Fremantle.

They have been in WA for six weeks and have developed an appreciation for Australia’s indigenous game through a program conducted by the South Fremantle Football Club.

The program has as many as 30 international students learning about AFL football through weekly training and information sessions.

This led the WA Country Football League to jump at the chance to have some of the players make their way to country destinations to give them the experience of playing their first game of football and in turn help struggling country teams field stronger sides in their reserves grade.

Smarter than Smoking football development manager Simon Dawson said it is a great innovation.

“These guys are interested in our game and having watched them play, they are obviously athletic,” he said.

“It is a win-win situation in that they get to experience playing AFL and our local clubs which are struggling to make up enough numbers gain two extra players for the weekend.”

International stars: International students studying at Notre Dame University in Fremantle Nick Noner and Michael Jaeger, donned the Bruce Rock jumpers last week for their first taste of AFL football.

For the record, the new additions did not get a taste of victory or defeat with the game against the Corrigin reserves team ending in a draw.

They did, however, make a big impression with Noner winning the best player for the Bruce Rock team and Jaeger receiving the second best player award.

Mr Dawson said for the two boys to come to Bruce Rock not having ever played before and having only limited knowledge of the game was fantastic.

“They played very well and it is a credit to them both that they jumped at the opportunity to travel out and play,” he said.

"This won't be the last time these international students play out here in the country.

"This weekend's game against Burracoppin will have the two boys back again, possibly with two other students that we hope to have playing against them in the Burracoppin reserves team."

Mr Dawson said the game will be played at Bruce Rock on Saturday and people are looking for something to do it should be a great game to watch.