Jason Johannisen’s late game heroics against Sydney last weekend are even more remarkable when you consider he grew up playing rugby in Johannisberg, South Africa.

It’s stories like Johannisen’s, and those of many others Australian-wide that the AFL will celerbate this weekend during Multicultural Round.

Speaking to westernbulldogs.com.au on the even the the Club’s clash with Richmond, Johannisen said he’s excited to be a part of one of the standout weeks’ on the AFL calender.

“It’s great by the AFL to recognise this week as multicultural round and just to celebrate that anyone can play this game – boy, girl, and it doesn’t matter what background you’re from you can enjoy this game," Johannisen said.

“The game’s growing, you see so many different, talented people play the game, it’s a great week.”

As part of the Multicultural Round celebrations, players will be wearing dedicated warm-up tops pre-game with the Australian flag alongside that of the country they’ve nominated as representative of their heritage or have strong connections with.

Johannisen’s dad was born and raised in South Africa and his Mum in Zambia, but it was when his family moved to Australia when he was eight-years-old,  it wouldn’t be long before a cousin introduced him to Australian Rules Football and his love affair with the game began.

“I started playing rugby because it was the only sport I knew how to play and once my cousin got me across to footy I just fell in love with the game.

“It was so fast-paced, so exciting, so much scoring, that’s what really attracted me.”

The Dogs face Richmond at Etihad Stadium this Saturday night, with the first bounce at 7:25pm.

Mission Foods are the match day partner, and together with Dreamworks will show the animation hit movie Kung Fu Panda 3 on the big screen from 5:00pm.