Former Collingwood and Richmond pair making stunning decision to move on from AFL

Jake Beddard

Former Collingwood and Richmond pair making stunning decision to move on from AFL image

Just months after being meeting the end of the road in their AFL careers, Caleb Poulter and Jacob Bauer have sensationally shifted codes, now pursuing American football, according to the Herald Sun's Matthew Elkerton

Poulter and Bauer are believed to have their eyes set on the college football ranks, with both joining the Australian Kicking Academy (AKA). 

After claiming a VFL premiership with Footscray, Poulter was soon after let go by the Western Bulldogs, after being picked up by the club in the 2023 mid-season draft.

Poulter had previously played 12 games across the 2021 and 2022 seasons with Collingwood.

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Bauer meanwhile was taken by Richmond in the 2022 mid-season draft, going on to play 12 games for the club at senior level, before being delisted at the end of last season.

The AKA is a program established in 2025 by Tim Gleeson.

Despite only being set up last year, the program has already seen success, with graduate Matt Gill set to join Kansas for the next NCAA season as a punter.

Many Australians have seen success in the American game as a punter in both the collegiate and professional ranks.

On Tuesday, Indiana punter Mitch McCarthy tasted NCAA glory as the Hoosiers defeated Miami 27-21.

Currently in the NFL playoffs, two of the remaining teams - Seattle and Denver - boast Australian punters, with Michael Dickson and Jeremy Crawshaw respectively in the mix to claim this year's Super Bowl. 

Staff Writer