By Roy Ward
For three quarters of Monday’s Super Bowl, Arryn Siposs and the Philadelphia Eagles looked on course for a memorable victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
But those hopes ended in heartbreak as the Chiefs completed a comeback from being 10 points down at half-time to win their second NFL championship in four years, with a punt from Siposs a key moment in the game.
Arryn Siposs at the Super Bowl.Credit:Getty Images
Siposs, the 30-year-old Victorian who turned a 28-game AFL career with St Kilda into a career as an NFL punter with the Eagles, had to prove his fitness in the lead-up after being out since December with an ankle injury, but he did enough to play in the season-decider.
The Eagles dominated the Chiefs in the first half, keeping their celebrated offence to just eight minutes of possession while Siposs had one punt that went a game-high 57 yards.
In the second half, Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes, who had proven his fitness despite a painful ankle injury, led his side back into the game while the Eagles’ exceptional defence couldn’t put a hand on him or his speedy receiver group.
Siposs had his own moment of heartbreak with 10 minutes to play and the Chiefs leading 28-27.
Arryn Siposs punts against the Chiefs during the fourth quarter. Credit:Getty Images
His second punt fell short, going just 38 yards and into the hands of Chiefs returner Kadarius Toney, who dodged two defenders and turned in-field, finding his blockers had cleared a path for him.
Toney ran the ball back 65 yards, a Super Bowl record punt return, with Siposs chasing back and helping tackle Toney four yards short of scoring.
“I just saw the shanked kick and I’m [thinking], ‘Oh my God’, I almost panicked,” Toney told ESPN Sportscenter post-game. “But I could only be me, I just made a cut [changed direction] and saw the wall setting up for me. As I was approaching the end zone, I just hoped I would get in.”
The Chiefs scored a few plays later, but the Eagles fought back behind league quarterback Jalen Hurts to tie the game at 35-35 late in the final quarter.
A holding penalty on James Bradberry during the second-last possession allowed the Chiefs to run down the clock and kick the winning field goal for a 38-35 win.
Some Eagles fans were scathing in their criticism of Siposs, calling for him to be replaced next season, while others stuck up for him. One St Kilda fan tweeted “Lenny Hayes would have stopped that Chiefs guy”.
But some fans blamed Siposs for bringing St Kilda’s bad luck in grand finals to the Eagles.
Some observers claimed Siposs punted to the wrong side of the field, which appeared questionable considering six Eagles chasers managed to get close to Toney only to slip over or miss him.
Eagles linebacker Nikobe Dean defended Siposs when asked if he had kicked to the right place.
“If we would’ve made the tackle, it wouldn’t have been a problem at all,” Dean told the Delaware News Journal.
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni didn’t single out anyone for criticism post-game.
“We can’t give them seven points off a turnover or a short field off a punt return,” Sirianni said. “This is the ultimate team game and offence, defence and special teams – we are all in this together.”
Siposs ended with two punts for 95 yards, Chiefs punter Tommy Townsend had two punts for 98 yards.
Siposs and Eagles offensive linesman Jordan Mailata became the first Australians to play together in a Super Bowl. They had hoped to be the first to play in a winning side. They join Ben Graham (2009) and Mitch Wishnowsky (2020) as Australians who have played in the Super Bowl. Jesse Williams didn’t play due to injury in Seattle Seahawks’ win in 2013 but did receive a Super Bowl ring.
Both teams were critical of the slippery playing surface with Mailata offering the most colourful comment.
“It was like playing on a water park,” he said.
The Eagles carried high hopes into the game, including the support of US First Lady Dr Jill Biden, who posted a picture on social media in a “Biden 46” Eagles jersey. President Joe Biden joked he didn’t officially have a favourite but as Jill’s husband, was cheering on the Eagles.
Biden was quick to commend the Chiefs on their victory and extended the traditional invitation to the White House.
Hurts, the Eagles’ quarterback who ran for three touchdowns and threw for another but also gave up a crucial touchdown after fumbling in the first half, wants his side to come back better next season.
“You either win or you learn,” Hurts said.
With AP
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