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From Bulldogs to the Super Bowl? Billy Gowers takes punt on NFL dream
Connor Scanlon • May 10th, 2025 6:09 pm
Former Western Bulldogs forward Billy Gowers has ditched Aussie rules for American football as he heads to the University of Hawaii to pursue a career as a punter.
Speaking to SEN Breakfast on the eve of his move to the U.S., Gowers revealed just how rapid and unexpected his transition to American football has been.
“Six months ago, I pretty much had never watched the game,” Gowers admitted.
“It’s all come about pretty wildly.”
In fact, his first time handling an NFL ball was barely a year ago.
“The first time I picked up an NFL ball was the week of the last game of the VFL last year,” Gowers said.
“I think it was August 23, which happens to be our first game for Hawaii this year.
“So, a year to the day.”
The moment that got Gowers recruited surprisingly happened in an unexpected way.
“It’s probably not as glamorous as everyone thinks,” he said.
“I was at Albert Park outdoor soccer pitch, kicking with cones length wise, and happened to be on FaceTime with the head of special team’s coach at the University of Hawaii, unbeknownst to me.
“I just thought I was getting film, as they call it, which is like sets and reps of you kicking.
“One of the Prokick coaches had the (University of Hawaii) coach on FaceTime.”
Garry Lyon chimed in, “Effectively you’ve been recruited via FaceTime.”
“Yeah, pretty much,” Gowers responded.
“I didn’t know that I was on FaceTime, I knew that I was kicking for them.
“But I thought it was just going to be on a video.”
Gowers joked about a call which he had with coach, humorously putting on an American accent and repeating what the coach said to him.
“‘Man, I just know everything about you. I’ve been watching all your YouTube, been watching all your Facebook, your Instagram,’” Gowers said with an accent.
“He said something about me ‘stiff arming someone into my grave and then kicking the ball straight through the uprights’
“It was just like your quintessential American, and I was going ‘what is going on here.’”
At 28, Gowers knows he’s older than the average college recruit, but believes that his elite mindset gives him an edge.
“I’m 28 now, so I’m a bit older,” Gowers said.
“But I still really got that professional mindset and elite sporting brain.
“So, why not try and utilise it to something else.”
Despite his age, Gowers explained how he is still eligible to play college football.
“I’ve never studied full-time, which means your eligibility time frame hasn’t started,” Gowers said.
“I would probably be one of the only 28 year olds whose eligible to go over.”
Billy Gowers also spoke on why he would be successful as a punter.
“A lot of the punters are pretty robotic in their nature, as well as their kick,” Gowers exclaimed.
“So, having a more fluent technique and being able to kick a long ball as well in the AFL (makes Gowers better suited to the sport).
“I’m a bit more of a power athlete, whereas some punters are a bit more technique based.”
When Gowers was asked if he had NFL dreams, he confidently said this.
“Yeah, I do to be honest, that’s sort of how it’s all come about.”
“Having to get through the college system, it was sort of initially trying to work out whether we try and push straight for the NFL or go to college, (to) understand the game.
“Just even understanding different wins and different techniques with the ball in hand, as well as understanding the coaching philosophies of American football versus Aussie rules.
“Just sort of getting a bit more of an understanding of the game and then hopefully being good enough to pursue it.”
Gowers finished by admitting that he’s consulted Ben Graham, a former AFL player turned Super Bowl player, about the switch to American football
“I took him out for lunch,” Gowers said.
“Just sort of put it all out on the table to him and asked for his advice.
“Since then I have been in sort of regular contact with him.”
As Billy Gowers prepares to make the move overseas, the whole AFL world is behind him in his transition to American football.
