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There are still plenty of doubters over Israel Folau’s audacious attempt to become an AFL player, but the GWS Giant has surprised himself with how he is adapting.
While fellow former rugby league representative and AFL convert Karmichael Hunt had at least played some Aussie Rules as a youngster, it is completely foreign territory for the Tongan-born Folau.
He had shown he could take a high mark in his days with the Melbourne Storm, Queensland and Australia, but the ability to kick, handpass and bounce the smaller AFL ball were skills the 21-year-old simply didn’t possess when he switched codes.
Folau is still around three weeks away from playing his first game as he recovers from an ankle injury, meaning he will miss the Giants’ historic first match at AFL level in the pre-season competition against Sydney on Saturday night.
But when he does finally make his bow in a GWS guernsey, Folau seems increasingly confident he will be able to make the grade.
“I’ve been working closely with Choco (assistant coach Mark Williams) and Sheeds (coach Kevin Sheedy) on my kicking,” Folau told reporters in Sydney on Friday.
“And I’m actually a little bit surprised myself at how I’ve picked up the skills.
“It’ll take a bit of time obviously and this whole year will be good for me.”
An imposing physical specimen, many have wondered whether Folau would be able to adapt to the increased running requirements in the AFL.
But he has lost some of his bulk as he prepares for a further 12-month apprenticeship before GWS enter the competition in 2012.
“I’ve trimmed down and lost six kilos and I feel pretty good, I just can’t wait to get into proper full training and get my first game underway,” he said.
“I probably have another two kilos (to lose) but I’m not too worried about that, once I start training it’ll be right.
“It’ll take me down to 98, 99, something like that, I haven’t seen that number since I was 18.
“I feel lighter on my feet and more agile and mobile, doing the type of training that’s required for the game, and I’ll probably get a little bit quicker.”
The Giants will take on the Swans in the first game of the triple-header at Blacktown Olympic Park, before Sydney faces another newcomer in the Gold Coast.
The final match then pits the AFL’s two newest teams against each other.
While the Suns at least have some experienced heads in their line-up, led by their captain for the evening Campbell Brown, GWS will be a team full of novices.
But Folau feels regardless of the result, it’s a historic occasion.
“It’s a big opportunity for our club,” he said.
“It’s going to be very exciting for a lot of the young guys who go out to play and for the whole club it’s very exciting.”
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