Four Aussies have featured in the Super Bowl in the past, but Jordan Mailata is looking to become the first to end the NFL season with a ring.
The Super Bowl has become a key feature on the sporting calendar in Australia in recent years. With Jordan Mailata preparing to make his second appearance in the biggest game of the NFL season, Aussies are becoming a regular feature themselves.
Having gone down to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII in his third season with the Philadelphia Eagles, Mailata will become the second Australian to play in two Super Bowl’s this week.
Aussies Influence In Super Bowl LIX
Jordan Mailata was first noticed after running out for the South Sydney Rabbitohs U20’s side. Shifting codes in 2018 before becoming an NFL regular in 2020, the 203cm and 165kg hulking 27-year-old has since become a key part of the Eagles offence. He’s one of the best offensive tackles in the game and became one of Australia’s highest-paid athletes after signing a monster three year deal worth $100 million.
Per Pro Football Focus, Mailata grades out as the best offensive tackle in the NFL. He ranks 2nd in pass blocking grade and 1st in run blocking grade. Saquon Barkley is playing out an historical season at running back, and those in the know attribute a lot of Barkley’s success to the work Mailata is doing in front of him.
great example of what happens when a defense isn't gap sound. There isn't anyone in the B-gap between Mailata and Dickerson.
Split Zone concept punishes unsoundness, Barkley of course finds the hole and that's that. pic.twitter.com/4AuN4moL1q
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) January 19, 2025
Jalen Hurts is getting a nicer ride thanks to Mailata, too.
The big man hasn’t allowed a single hit this season and just one sack. Philly’s passing game has come under a lot of question: What will they do if it doesn’t work on the ground?
Given the protection Hurts has in front of him and the quality of receiver running downfield, the Eagles will find points should the Kansas City Chiefs find a way to shut down Barkley in Super Bowl LIX.
“Barkley has managed a rush of 22+ yards in eight of his last ten games. While it might only take one carry to get him well on his way to clearing it, history suggests cracking 120 yards is unlikely. Michael Pittman was the last to do it in 2003.” – Fading Barkley
Paving The Way
Mailata is alongside punters Ben Graham, Mitch Wishnowsky and Arryn Siposs as the four Australians to feature in a Super Bowl and with Wishnowsky as the only to do it twice.
Siposs was there with Mailata in Super Bowl LVII, but it’s a game he will remember for the wrong reasons. In fact, it’s the last time he played in the NFL let alone a Super Bowl.
He didn’t feature heavily, but his impact was felt late in the game. His second punt sprayed off the side of his boot, allowing Kadarius Tooney a long punt return and, ultimately, Chiefs victory.
Former #Eagles P Arryn Siposs opens up about his Super Bowl punt & how it affected him mentally: pic.twitter.com/6G2rN0WEZD
— Jake Rabadi (@JakeRabadi) February 12, 2024
Graham was the first to wave the Australian flag on the biggest day in football. He did so as part of the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII. Again, he wasn’t a prominent part in the game, but did have a positive impact. One punt, in particular, led to a Pittsburgh Steelers safety in the fourth quarter. However, the Cardinals couldn’t find the game-winning drive.
Mitch Wishnowsky made Super Bowl LIV as a rookie. In what has become a trend for Aussies in the big game, he also tasted defeat. Like Mailata, it came against Patrick Mahomes as Wishnowsky’s San Francisco 49ers fell to the Chiefs 31-20. Wishnowsky punted twice in the game without fanfare or controversy.
Backing it up again in Super Bowl LVIII, Wishnowsky and the 49ers again lost to the Chiefs. This time, however, Wishnowsky made headlines and crow-barred himself into an unlikely Super Bowl MVP conversation.
A punter has never won Super Bowl MVP.
Mitch Wishnowsky might change that tonight. pic.twitter.com/RKsIuEVjpp
— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) February 12, 2024
While Mailata, Siposs, Graham and Wishnowsky have all played in a Super Bowl, only one Australia as a ring: Jesse Williams.
Williams didn’t play in the Seattle Seahawks victory in 2014, but was part of the squad. He missed the season due to injury. Still, the ring no doubt take pride of place on a mantelpiece now.
Heading into Super Bowl LIX and looking to make up for a previous defeat, Mailata is looking to become the first Australian to feature on the field for a winning team. His Eagles will have to do it as $2.04 and +1.5 underdogs.
MORE: An Early Super Bowl LIX Preview
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