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A surreal feeling descended on Blacktown in Sydney’s west on Friday as Jarrad McVeigh, Karmichael Hunt and Israel Folau fronted up for a press conference.
All three were in their respective AFL uniforms, with the established and respected Swans co-captain McVeigh in traditional red and white, flanked by two enormous physical specimens known for playing a very different sport.
Even though they’ve both shed around six kilos as they prepare for the demands of AFL football, former rugby league internationals Folau and Hunt still dwarfed McVeigh as they stood in front of the cameras and microphones.
There was a psychedelic spectrum of colours on display, with Greater Western Sydney’s orange, charcoal and white clashing horribly with the Gold Coast’s red, gold and blue.
The fact that it was all taking place at the remote and barren outpost of Blacktown Olympic Park only added to the bizarre feeling of the moment.
All three were asked questions, with only those directed at McVeigh reflective of a typical AFL media outing.
For Hunt and Folau, there were questions about their ability to kick and run, comparisons with State of Origin rugby league and a litany of questions about their weight.
McVeigh handled the moment admirably, denying it was an odd scenario with two former rugby league superstars who are yet to play an official AFL game.
“Growing up in NSW I’ve watched a lot of league, but it doesn’t feel weird,” he said.
“We’ve had Mike Pyke and Tadhg Kennelly come across from other sports (rugby union and gaelic football respectively) and they’ve gone very well.
“It’s a big opportunity for these guys and the more guys we can get playing AFL, it’s great for the game.”
All three then took to the middle of the ground for some rather awkward handballs in front of the cameras before they returned to the dressing room.
All in all it was an AFL press conference like no other and upon its conclusion, there was an unshakable feeling the game had changed.
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