At 200 centimetres and 115 kilograms, the 17 year old would have AFL talent scouts falling over each other to sign him, but it seems he has been lost to the American football code.

Dew is a lineman for the Monash University Warriors gridiron team, and has been selected for Victoria for next week's under-19 national championships at the Gold Coast.

He also plays Gaelic football, and represented the state last year in the under-18 national titles.

"My physique helps me with both Gaelic football and gridiron. I played Aussie Rules but didn't really enjoy it as much as gridiron, which I picked up quickly and it seemed more natural."

The year 12 St Kevin's College student, who took on Gaelic football because of his Irish heritage, said his ambition was to play gridiron in America like former

AFL players Rocca and Graham.

"My best chances of doing that would be doing really well in the national championships and getting picked for the Australian team which tours America.

"The Australian junior gridiron team missed out on making the world cup after being knocked by New Zealand."

Dew hit out at those critics who say gridiron isn't as tough as Aussie Rules or rugby because of all the padding.

"A lot of people say gridiron is a weak sport because you have to wear all that padding, but if you didn't wear it, you wouldn't last five minutes before you would be off badly injured. They know how to hit hard."

To nominate someone for Sport Star of the Week, write to the Journal at PO Box 318, Dandenong 3175, or email phillip.mcleod@fairfaxmedia.com.a u or call 92387776.