AFL 2019: Team USA coach Gregg Popovich shuns Brian Taylor before Collingwood vs Essendon at the MCG

Ed Chisholm

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AFL 2019: Team USA coach Gregg Popovich shuns Brian Taylor before Collingwood vs Essendon at the MCG image

Team USA coach Gregg Popovich has left Channel 7's Brian Taylor hanging for an interview before the huge final round showdown between Collingwood and Essendon on Friday night.

Fresh off downing the Australian Boomers 98-88 in a FIFA World Cup warm-up game at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night, Team USA got their first taste of live AFL footy when they came to watch fellow American Mason Cox's Magpies do battle with the Bombers.

In a hilarious installment of 'Roaming Brian', the experienced commentator sounded out Popovich for an interview, but as soon as the veteran coach got a glimpse of Taylor he made a dash. 

Fans and AFL players alike couldn't help but laugh at the encounter between the pair, with Eagles ruckman Nic Natanui calling it "quality television".

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Luckily for Taylor, Team USA players Donovan Mitchell, Kemba Walker and Brook Lopez were kind enough to share their thoughts on their first MCG experience, and Mitchell was taken back by the MCG atmosphere.

"This is incredible. I've never been in a stadium this big before. I kind of don't know what's going on but I'm really just excited to be here, I think it's really special." Mitchell said.

"To be able to play on a field like this, I think it's 30 minute quarters? That's impressive."

 

Ed Chisholm

Ed Chisholm Photo

Ed Chisholm is a content producer for Sporting News Australia.