NAB today launched the latest chapter of their innovative AFL campaign Footify Fansplant, which will see five fanatical sporting fans from around the globe flown to Australia to be transformed into fully-fledged AFL supporters.

After an extensive international search for die-hard sports fans, the NAB ‘Fansplantees’ were selected from India, USA, Japan, Spain and Sweden and arrived in Australia this week ahead of their first ever AFL match at the MCG tonight.

Fresh off the plane following his first trip outside the USA (and his home state od Detroit), Phil Pickard, a devoted Gridiron fan, knows little about AFL but is eager to learn.

“I am so pumped to be here in Australia to learn about the AFL and be Footified. I’m not really sure what to expect but I think AFL will be similar to NFL without the pads,” said Phil.

“Most importantly I’ve been told that I have to try a meat pie!”

NAB will be supported throughout the Fansplant process by footy loving ‘host families’ who will be tasked with the role of converting Fansplantees into AFL devotees. As a thank you for their efforts, each host will be rewarded with a VIP 2014 Toyota AFL Grand Final experience.

Tim Clarke, Head of NAB Sponsorship, said Fansplant is a natural next step to build on the momentum that was established last year.

“Footify has been built upon the premise that at NAB, we don’t just sponsor the game, we grow it. We’re proud of our long-term partnerships with NAB AFL Auskick, NAB AFL Rising Star and the NAB Challenge and we are excited to shine a light on this again in 2014 through Fansplant.” he said.

For more information on the NAB Fansplant campaign, please go to www.nab.com.au/afl.