And that helps the American exchange student who has been been chasing his slice of heaven — and a fair bit of leather — recently.

The accomplished basketballer, 16, has become a regular on the wing at Murrayfield for the Steamers reserve grade, learning the finer points of the “game they play in heaven”.

For Duchon, it’s the type of contact sport he loves.

“I’ve played American football, but not for a couple of years, and I’ve really missed contact sport,” he said.

“There was a bit of confusion at first because we play rugby league at (Albury High) school and it was the whole tackling and rolling away rather than pinning them down that had me in two minds.

“But the Steamers, as a club, have been amazing — there is a real sense of a team culture and sportsmanship that has been great to experience.”

Duchon is on exchange from the West Michigan Aviation Academy.

He’s played on the Varsity basketball team for two years as a power forward or centre.

“It’s a school that revolves around flight and what I really want to do is become a pilot,” Duchon said.

“But sport is important, too.

“I have been playing basketball on Friday nights but my host family asked if I wanted to try an Australian sport and I ended up at Murrayfield.

“They’ve had me playing on the wing but some of the boys think I should try second row — I might give it a go before I head home in July.”