By RUSSELL BENNETT
GERMAN exchange student Philip Plantholt quickly found out that Bunyip’s Adams family is anything but creepy, kooky, mysterious or spooky.
He arrived in February to the brutal heat of the Australian summer and before too long he was experiencing the heat of the action out in the middle of Bunyip Recreation Reserve as the newest member of the Bulldogs’ under-15.5 Ellinbank and District side.
The 16-year-old wasn’t sure where he wanted to visit this year on exchange – all he knew is that he wanted to improve his English skills. But, landing in Australia with Bunyip’s John Adams and his young family – including 17-year-old Brad – Philip quickly learned more than just an expanded English vocabulary.
“I played soccer in Germany so John asked if I wanted to play here – there’s a Bunyip soccer team,” Philip said.
“But they didn’t have enough junior numbers for me to play so John said to come and play footy.”
Since taking up a role in the Bulldogs’ forward line – with a player permit because he missed the age cut-off by just a month – Philip has taken to footy like a duck to the Rhine.
“I played soccer in Germany and everyone in every little town plays it,” he said.
“It helped me how to kick but marking was a bit different – I wasn’t used to using my hands!
“I had a bounce once too but I avoid it when I can – I just try to handball it or kick it.
“The one time I tried to bounce the ball I almost lost it.”
Philip has so far played three games for the Bulldogs’ under-15.5s and has been named in the best twice. He also has four goals to his name.”
Philip attributes his good kicking to his soccer background and says he has the speed necessary to put pressure on his opponents through chase and tackle; just as long as that chase isn’t too long.
“I’m pretty fast, but not for that long,” he admitted.
“My fitness base isn’t that good but over a few metres I’m pretty fast.”
Philip said Aussie Rules was “a great sport” and he loves the laid-back nature of both the sport, and the Bunyip community which he says is in contrast to his home town.
“As soon as I first got to training everyone introduced themselves to me and they were all so friendly,” he said.
“I’m not used to that from Germany… it’s pretty different.”
The one thing that Philip just can’t seem to wrap his head around – more than the quirky behaviour of the Sherrin – is just how footy-obsessed local communities here are.
“I think it’s pretty fascinating here that so many people just come along to watch a game and watch their local team,” he said.
“So many people come and they pay $10 or so just to watch the footy – not even play it.
“In Germany no one would do that. The parents would be annoyed if they had to drive their children and other kids in the same car to away matches.”
Philip hopes to one day resume his playing career and said he’d love to come back to Australia at some stage to live “for a few years”.
But for now he’s preparing to head home in just a few short weeks, and time is running out to experience his first win in the Bunyip colours.
Philip’s first three games – against Nar Nar Goon, Garfield and Cora Lynn – were all losses and on Saturday as Bunyip thumped Catani by 85 points he was on the Gold Coast with the Adams family – watching the Gold Coast battle Sydney.
