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• Seattle Seahawks’ punter is impressed by the Bulldogs’ five-eighth player.

Australian Super Bowl hero Michael Dickson believes NRL player Matt Burton might transition to the high-pressure realm of NFL kicking – if his focus on precision is exceptional.

Burton’s impressive kicks have been likened to NFL punts for many years, with the Canterbury five-eighth recentlyfilmed the pigskin being launched more than 60 meters at pre-season training.

A 25-year-old has acknowledged his fascination with a code switch and had the opportunity to train at theLas VegasRaiders’ facilities this week as the Bulldogs got ready for theNRLHis first round at Allegiant Stadium.

Sydney-born Dickson follows the AFLmore closely than the NRL, having previouslyaspired to a career in Australian Rules footballas a participant in theSydney Swans academy.

But the newly minted Super BowlA champion is certain that an NRL player like Burton could move to the NFL if he wished.

“I’m certain he is capable of it,” theSeattle Seahawks punter said.

It’s very distinct from Australian Rules and rugby, the sweet spot (on the ball) is entirely different. He would eventually locate the sweet spot while kicking an NFL ball.

Dickson’s career as a punter led him to Melbourne for training with Prokick Australia, then to college at the University of Texas, and eventually to Seattle when the Seahawks selected him in 2018.

A 30-year-old has climbed the ranks to become the NFL’s top-earning punter and the second Australian to be part of a Super Bowl-winning team following hisThe Seahawks beat the New England team earlier this month.

However, the success and wealth have been supported by dedicated effort.

In the beginning, Dickson understood that American football kickers did not receive the same comforts he had experienced while pursuing a Sherrin, or what Burton enjoys in the NRL.

“In the league, you can hit a poor ball and think, ‘That’s it, I want to make this tackle, I want to do something here (to correct myself),’ ” Dickson said.

(In the NFL) you may only see three or four punts per game. And if one or two of them aren’t flawless, you can still kick a good ball but it’s not perfect, then 50 per cent of your performance didn’t meet the required level.

It’s quite simple to execute a single effective punt.

But it’s truly quite challenging to have a season where, out of 70 punts, 65 are exceptionally good. That’s a tough feat, so I dedicate the focus and hard work it requires.

Starting from 2020, Dickson has maintained journals that record and examine nearly 1000 kicks he has executed during matches and practice sessions.

Away from the park, he studies literature on stoicism, performance psychology, and self-control while striving to perfect his skills.

Dickson lists Ryan Holiday and Michael Gervais as some of his favorite writers, and received a Kindle for Christmas to boost his reading during this off-season.

I make sure I examine everything thoroughly,” Dickson stated. “It’s focused on strict attention to the details.

In addition to working hard, Dickson mentioned that for Burton to succeed in the NFL, he must be physically prepared and have an almost overwhelming belief in himself.

“You need to have a strong leg, and you must be somewhat unrealistic,” he said.

Often, you find yourself on the field when the game isn’t going smoothly, and the offense isn’t performing as expected. You have to step out there and believe, I’m about to turn this game around.

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