Although the two sports often rival each other, there have been a number of soccer players that also dabble in Aussie Rules – and vice versa – to great effect. Locally, former Moe and Heyfield premiership player Manny Gotis and current Yallourn Yallourn North coach Leo Galea are just two players who have played both sports throughout their careers, while many current footballers played soccer in their junior years.

Another name that can be added to the list is Ignacio Barnils.

Ignacio (or "Nacho" to those that know him) is a 17 year-old Spanish student currently in Australia as part of a cultural exchange program.

Back in his homeland, Ignacio plays soccer for Salle Bomanova, but in Australia, he has tried his hand at kicking the oval pigskin with Mirboo North.

So how was the transition from soccer to Aussie Rules?

"It’s hard to get used to playing with the different shaped ball," says Ignacio.

He must have adapted pretty fast though. In his first two matches for Mirboo North, Ignacio booted four goals – two in each match – and received the Karl’s Sports award in his second match against Boolarra.

According to Ignacio, it is the differences between the two sports that are hard to overcome.

"In soccer, there is no contact, but in this game you have to remember to tackle people," he said. "You also can’t touch the ball in soccer, so that was hard to get used to as well."

Ignacio has been in Australia for nine months, and recently moved from Inverloch to Mirboo North, where he is now staying with Mirboo North supporter Helen Shield.

Helen’s son is also participating in the exchange program, and is currently in Brazil.

Ignacio has enjoyed his stay here in Australia, but Helen says she will miss him when he returns to Barcelona at the end of June.

Ignacio said the Mirboo North Football Club has made him very welcome, and thanked both the club and Helen for making his stay in Australia a good one.