IF YOU thought Tony Armstrong’s two match effort for Collingwood on Saturday was impressive, then spare a thought for Fiji’s Dylan Wolfrgramm.
Armstrong hit the headlines after pulling on the boots for the Magpies against Brisbane on Saturday night, just a few hours after starring in the club’s VFL side.
But the running defender’s incredible display of endurance has been made to look pedestrian thanks to one very committed Fijian.
When Dylan Wolfgramm takes the field for his native country this afternoon against a powerful USA team in the 2014 International Cup, it will be his sixth game in 11 days.
The incredible run includes matches for his regular club Manningham in the Victorian Amateur Football Association, including doubling up in Saturday’s IC Community Round.
Because of Wolfgramm’s involvement with the Cobras, Fiji’s clash with Great Britain was played as the curtain raiser to their match against fellow Division 4 side the Dragons FC.
After helping Fiji to an upset win over the Brits, Wolfgramm quickly changed playing kits and went on to kick three goals and finish in the best players for his second side.
Unfortunately his effort wasn’t enough, as the Cobras went down by 19 points.
Despite his heavy schedule, which also includes coaching the Fiji Women’s side, Wolfgramm said his body was holding up for now.
“I was a bit tired on Saturday and they started me on the bench but I was at the coach to get me on pretty early,” he said
“The legs are obviously feeling it but I’ve spent plenty of time in the ice bath trying to recover as best I can.”
“It was a good win for the boys (Fiji) to beat Great Britain but we were pretty disappointed at Manningham to lose a match we should have won.”
Wolfgramm is one of the few Fijian players who currently lives in Melbourne and says his role at the International Cup is about bringing others into the game.
“It’s not so much about getting the ball myself but rather providing a bit of on-field direction and getting everyone else going,” he said.
Fiji has its sights fixed on winning Division 1 at the International Cup after missing out on the top four and if Wolfgramm’s commitment is anything to go by; you would be brave to bet against them.
Dylan Wolframm’s two week football schedule
- Saturday Aug 9: Played for Manningham against Point Cook
- Sunday Aug 10: Played for Fiji against Ireland in opening round of AFLIC14
- Wednesday Aug 13: Played for Fiji against Indonesia in Round 2 of AFLIC14
- Saturday Aug 16: Played for Fiji against Great Britain in Community round of AFLIC14
- Saturday Agug 16: Played for Manningham against Dragons FC (VAFA –Division 4)
- Tuesday Aug 19: Will play for Fiji against USA (Semi-final round at AFLIC14)
- Friday Aug 22: Will play for Fiji to determine final IC ranking
- Saturday Aug 23: Will return to play for Manningham against West Brunswick
