Aussies have adopted the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 57 with ex-NRL prospect Jordan Mailata and former AFL player Arryn Siposs hoping to become the first Aussies to play in a Super Bowl win.
And Mailata’s offensive line got off to a perfect start, powering the Eagles to an opening drive touchdown with some incredible protection of QB Jalen Hurts.
It took just 11 plays for the slight favourites to storm down the field, heading 75 yards to take the lead that they so often desire – because it allows them to control the clock, and thus the flow of the contest, with their running game.
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Mailata’s enormous power was on display during the drive as the No.68 dominated his direct opponent to open up a huge rushing lane.
Hurts was able to scramble for one of the six first downs while the Eagles ended up with a first-and-goal after a Kenneth Gainwell rushing touchdown was reversed upon review.
That saw coach Nick Sirianni call for the team’s trademark rugby-style play, the QB Sneak, with Mailata’s offensive line overwhelming the Chiefs’ defence – with help from a couple of pushers behind Hurts as he surged into the endzone.
“The tendency of this Philadelphia team and with how many quarterback sneaks have we seen them run, Jason Kelce the all-everything centre, rugby style scrum and get underneath – you have to think from the half-yard line, it’s got to be up the top of the call sheet,” Fox commentator Greg Olsen explained before the play.
It was the Eagles’ 31st successful sneak for the season in 35 attempts.
Meanwhile ex-St Kilda forward Siposs was called on for his first punt of the game on the Eagles’ second drive. It travelled 57 yards and was returned for 12 by Kadarius Toney.
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