Shae McNamara

[The Ghost Of Glenferrie]

Sorry to pop in on your board guys, but I just wanted to say that I really hope Shae McNamara makes it all the way with you guys.

I have watched his development from here in the US throughout the VFL in 2010 and his progress to date has been really unbelievable. It is a shame that fate meant he didn't make the move earlier, as I would liked to have see him with more time in our game to develop and grow - but if you can get 7+ years out of him I think the experience will be worth it.

Add to this that in the videos I've watched on youtube he really comes across as quality human being and an all round champion guy with great set of values. Stories like this (Tadgh Kennelly, Karmichael Hunt, Jim Stynes etc) make me realize what a great country and great game we have in Australia - one that embraces people from all walks of life.

Wouldn't it be great if not only did he become the first American to play Aussie rules, but that he had a career that finished with 150+ games, all australian and perhaps even a flag (that last bit was hard to get out from a Hawker). But seeing beyond my own passion I just think it would great for the game and the young man himself to have a truly great career with you guys, Anyhow good luck Pies in 2011 - but not too much

 

[Jedi01]

Have you seen or read anything in the US media about him?

 

[i_hate_scams]

he wouldnt be the 1st to play AFL, the swans had a player born in the US in the early 90s (i think his name is wheeler)

 

[Chief Ten Beers]

he wouldnt be the 1st to play AFL, the swans had a player born in the US in the early 90s (i think his name is wheeler)

Born in the states, raised in Aus. His situation was different.

 

[Zahki]

Second game tonight, hope he does well. Fist game he had some good moments but was pretty shakey, as you'd expect. With that first game under his belt hopefully he does better this time and is better prepared for how physical it is.

 

[ThePheonix]

I think Shae has got a long way to go. His skills are good but reading and getting involved with the play is very average.

 

[loki04]

I think Shae has got a long way to go. His skills are good but reading and getting involved with the play is very average.

Yeah another year developing, he needs to get more assertive at the contest and also more aggressive.

Last night it was like he didn't want to get physically involved or look to physically impact the contests and also needs to chase opponents harder.

Take a leaf out of Dawes' bull at a gate approach.

He did show some good signs game 1 so not writing him off but a long way from AFL atm.

 

[Chief Ten Beers]

Yes, would be destroyed playing on a good defensive team.

 

[Markfs]

We were looking at Shae a lot during the game. The only positive that I can say about him is that he ran from one side of the ground to the other to get involved and Darren Glass was struggling to keep up...and Shae is clearly taller than him...

How to transfer that athletic ability is the challenge....good luck to him, although I cant say that he showed anything in last nights match

 

[Testekill]

Yeah another year developing, he needs to get more assertive at the contest and also more aggressive.

Last night it was like he didn't want to get physically involved or look to physically impact the contests and also needs to chase opponents harder.

Take a leaf out of Dawes' bull at a gate approach.

He did show some good signs game 1 so not writing him off but a long way from AFL atm.

Agreed. He's a project player and has made a hell of a lot of improvement from the video he sent the club but he's a fair bit off yet.

 

[Zahki]

No doubt he would've been disappointed by the game last night, but you've got to give him a little slack, he's been playing the game for a grand total of 1 year after all. His skills look decent-ish, he really needs to work on getting a feel for the flow of the game and getting into the right spots to receive the ball, that'll be his task for this year I suspect.

 

[ClarkeM]

He's a nice bloke. When I did the training session with the Pies, he was the main spokesman for the club and this was in December 09. Show's he wants it bad.

 

[stui magpie]

Coming from a basket ball background, he doesn't have the body contact instinct that say, Mike Pyke has coming from a rugby background in Canada, but he is athletic and well worth a punt as a forward.

Despite his height, he's not a first ruck and isn't a key forward. if he continues his development he could be a very scary prospect as a 200+cm third tall forward who can change ruck.

Good luck to the guy, I really hope he makes it.