Former Super Bowl punter Arryn Siposs says he is hoping to draw from his NFL experiences as he enters into his new coaching role at Hawthorn.
The club announced on Thursday that the former Saint and NFL punter would be joining the brown and gold as a development coach heading into the 2024 season.
Siposs arrived back from the US just five weeks ago, following a six-year long stint in the States, which included time with the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles from 2020 to 2023.
"What a journey - I can look back at it now and obviously be pretty happy with it," Siposs reflected.
"I played college football over there first and then was able to transition into the NFL.
"Hopefully I'm able to bring back a little bit of experience and knowledge from a kicking game point of view and develop the young guys in that aspect which is super exciting."
Prior to his time in the US, Siposs’ AFL playing career saw him spend five seasons at St Kilda from 2011 to 2015.
"Obviously I was a young kid back then, it took me a bit of time to mature into it all, I was very fortunate to be part of the St Kilda Football Club for five years there," Siposs said.
"I managed to play a few games, things didn't quite work out there in the end, but it taught me a lot in terms of how to be a professional and I got to extend that even more so in the NFL.
"Everyone wants to play those 200 games and be part of a club for a long time, but sometimes that doesn't always occur.
"That's the experience I've learnt over time, if it doesn't quite work out there is definitely some other paths you can take, but for sure while you are here, let's make the most of it."
In addition to his experience across two elite sporting environments, Siposs served as an assistant coach at Brighton Grammar School and Hallam Sports Academy from 2016 to 2018.
Siposs said that by having had exposure across the AFL and NFL, he hopes to bring a unique perspective to the Hawks.
"It's a lot more business like in the NFL - so I enjoy the fact that in the AFL you get the chance to be able to develop guys and watch them grow into their role a little bit which is great - the NFL is a little bit more cut throat," Siposs said.
"I'm super excited about the fact that you get to come in here and you get to learn, get yourself to develop, but also reach out and pass it on to the younger guys that are here.
"That's the best part about this role that I'm going in to, and I'm pumped by it."
Siposs will be reunited with a familiar face a the club, working closely alongside Head of Development Andy Collins, who coached him at Williamstown in the VFL before he started his punting journey.
"It will be a bit different working with him rather than playing under him, defining working with him may be interesting," Siposs laughed.
"Andy has been everywhere - he has a great amount of experience, a lot of success, he has won multiple premierships as a player and as a coach.
"There's probably no better guy to learn from and work with, I know he is very passionate about this area too which is great.
"I learnt a lot from him in that two-year span when I was with him at Williamstown and I only got to learn a certain part of it having been in a VFL environment.
"That's the exciting part about it here, I get to be with him every single day - being a bit of a sponge and learning from him.
"With a great young list and some great coaching staff to learn from, it's an exciting time of the football club and I'm super pumped to be part of it."
