Two months after moving to the United States to begin his college football career, Zach Salmi has finally taken to the field for the first time.
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Salmi took two punts for Central Methodist University in a 76-7 loss to Benedictine College at the weekend.
The Stawell product kicked 42 yards from his two attempts.
The Eagles have played six games so far this season, with Salmi sitting on the sidelines for the first five of them.
Central Methodist University head coach David Calloway said he has been impressed by the improvement Salmi has made considering he had never played the game before.
“Our biggest thing with Zach has been getting him integrated with kicking with pads on,” he said.
“He has a big leg and we will continue to rotate him in and give him chances.
“We wanted to ease him into the transition of playing a game that’s why we waited before he got to play.”
Salmi has featured regularly in the Eagles’ reserves team, but was given the opportunity against the Ravens to relieve pressure on the squad’s other punter.
“They (Benedictine) put a lot of pressure on our left footed punter, so Zach being right footed help change that up a bit,” Calloway said.
“He did a good job because it was into the wind against a good team.
“He performed how we expected him to perform.”
Salmi’s side has struggled so far this year, winning just one game so far.
Despite the lack of on-field success, Calloway said the young Australian has settled in well with the group and the college lifestyle.
“Zach is a really respectable guy and all of his teammates like him,” he said.
“He has quite a profound vocabulary and is quite polished when he speaks which is good to have around.
“The guys have brought him into the fold and we are definitely glad to have him.”
The CMU Eagles have this weekend off and have five games remaining before the end of the regular season.
