He's labelled it Australia's most exciting football code but the prime minister avoided contact with the Sherrin when he walked onto the field at Richmond Football Club.
A self-confessed "former mediocre rugby player", Malcolm Turnbull tried, but failed, to catch the ball during a photo opportunity in Melbourne on Wednesday.
Mr Turnbull and Justice Minister Michael Keenan met with star Richmond midfielder Bachar Houli to announce $625,000 for his leadership program which mentors young Muslim players.
The money was not an election promise, but funds committed in the budget.
"What you've done here is all part of this extraordinary collective effort that in a world where there's so much disharmony and animosity... we live together in our diversity with great harmony," Mr Turnbull said.
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"Our best assets are walking around on top of the ground - kicking footballs, working, playing, running around, going to school."
The government has provided the program $200,000 since it was elected.
The program started in 2011 and was rolled out nationally in 2012, with more than 10,000 players taking part.
Mr Keenan said the program contributed to a resilient and harmonious society.
"It uses sport as a great way to embrace diversity while providing students from Islamic schools with the opportunity to learn to play football in a fun, non-competitive environment."
