‘I miss them': Aussie NFL hopeful breaks down when talking about home
The NFL hopeful moved to America to play for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, after auditioning in front of coach Mike Ekeler live on FaceTime, but homesickness has taken its toll on the Melburnian since moving to the United States in June.
'I love them a lot. I've got two little brothers and a mum and dad, and that's the tough part about being here,' Wilson said when asked about his family.
'I love them a lot and I miss them, but they know this is what's best for me, and it's good, I can still talk to them plenty over the phone, and they're coming here to see the first few games, so I'm looking forward to that.'
Wilson has since made appearances on Good Morning America and the Today show in the US after the moment resonated with many around the world.
His parents, Lee and Jess, and brothers Lewis and Oscar spoke on the Australian Today show on Thursday morning and said the family would be reunited in 11 days when they head over for the start of the college football season.
'There was a lot of tears yesterday,' Jess said.
'It's a bit crazy, but I spoke to him pretty much as soon as I woke up yesterday morning. He was absolutely fine, you can see at the end of the video he walks off, he's fine, he just broke down in those few moments.
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Breust had his own moment, coming on as the sub in the third term and kicking a goal that had his teammates flocking to him. Mitchell had pumped this up as a danger game, noting Melbourne had not been awful over the past month, despite the sacking of coach Simon Goodwin. But the game was effectively over at quarter-time after the Hawks booted five goals to one. Gunston put through two of them as he tormented Melbourne's 250-game key defender Steven May. While the Demons outscored Hawthorn in the last term, they were never in the hunt. "In long periods, they just dominated us ... we failed," said caretaker coach Troy Chaplin. "I don't know if it's a setback. It's disappointing - for the club, for the fans. "You want to finish the year off really strong. Today was hopefully just a blip on the radar." Chaplin added that Melbourne "can't waste another week" and said they must fire up for Friday night's season-ending game against Collingwood. Yet again, the Melbourne player whose effort and passion could never be questioned is captain Max Gawn. Without him, the margin would have been much worse. "Honestly, would he just retire? He's driving everyone crazy - he's so good," Mitchell said. Other than the veneration of Hawthorn's two three-time premiership forwards, Dylan Moore racked up a game-high 32 disposals and kicked two goals, while utility Jarman Impey was also excellent. While periods of the game were tough to watch, overall Mitchell is quietly pleased with Hawthorn's form ahead of the pivotal Brisbane clash. "I feel like our game is in OK shape," he said. "We're giving ourselves every chance. "It's going to be a massive game for us." Jack Gunston and Luke Breust have always been competitive as best mates at Hawthorn. So coach Sam Mitchell thought there was something poetic about Gunston lighting up the MCG gloom with seven goals in their 36-point AFL win over Hawthorn. The 13.14 (92) to 8.8 (56) win confirmed the Hawks' finals berth, with next Sunday's huge clash at the Gabba against reigning premiers Brisbane to have a major bearing on the top-eight order. Two days after Breust announced this season will be his last, Gunston's 7.4 took him to 60 goals for the season - a career-best haul. It also equalled his best "bag" in a game, set in round 15 this season against North Melbourne, and took the 33-year-old a big step closer to his second All-Australian nod. "It's Luke Breust's big day and of course Jack goes out and kicks seven," Mitchell said. "He's started the majority of this year and even last year as basically a defensive forward. "Now, to be - I would say - a lock for the All-Australian side, it's a pretty special time for him as a 33-year-old." Among setbacks such as injuries to Josh Weddle and Will Day, Gunston's outstanding form clearly is an unexpected bonus for the Hawks. 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It's disappointing - for the club, for the fans. "You want to finish the year off really strong. Today was hopefully just a blip on the radar." Chaplin added that Melbourne "can't waste another week" and said they must fire up for Friday night's season-ending game against Collingwood. Yet again, the Melbourne player whose effort and passion could never be questioned is captain Max Gawn. Without him, the margin would have been much worse. "Honestly, would he just retire? He's driving everyone crazy - he's so good," Mitchell said. Other than the veneration of Hawthorn's two three-time premiership forwards, Dylan Moore racked up a game-high 32 disposals and kicked two goals, while utility Jarman Impey was also excellent. While periods of the game were tough to watch, overall Mitchell is quietly pleased with Hawthorn's form ahead of the pivotal Brisbane clash. "I feel like our game is in OK shape," he said. "We're giving ourselves every chance. "It's going to be a massive game for us."
