Our new ruckman - Shae McNamara

[smiddaz123]

Don't know, Kurt tippet might be able to help out

I think we shae's athleticism, his verticle leap is awesome he will be groomed as ruck first, but if he has some speed to go with his leap and build he could very well be turned into modern full forward

While you need good knowledge of the game to become a good FF in the AFL, I think it'd be harder to convert as a ruckman.

It's much easier to just mark to ball and kick for goal, than learn to tap effectively, pick up touches around the ground, being accountable for the other ruckman, dropping into the hole down back etc.

I think if he succeeds, it'll be as a KPF, not a ruckman.

 

[shawthing09]

I actually think ruck is the most "learnable" position in the AFL. The tap side of things isn't rocket science once you get a hang of timing your run and jump at the ball. The around the ground stuff is interesting as there are not many really damaging around the ground rucks and rucks usually don't run with each other. So if he has the tank to cover the miles to make himself an option he will pick up enough of the ball to be handy. It's much harder IMO to be able to read the game unfolding and time your leads and lead to the right areas to make yourself a really good option for your mids.

That said with the height and leap and size that has and decent pace too if he could learn FF he would be a fairly imposing option.

 

[Optimax]

I actually think ruck is the most "learnable" position in the AFL. The tap side of things isn't rocket science once you get a hang of timing your run and jump at the ball. The around the ground stuff is interesting as there are not many really damaging around the ground rucks and rucks usually don't run with each other. So if he has the tank to cover the miles to make himself an option he will pick up enough of the ball to be handy. It's much harder IMO to be able to read the game unfolding and time your leads and lead to the right areas to make yourself a really good option for your mids.

That said with the height and leap and size that has and decent pace too if he could learn FF he would be a fairly imposing option.

Thats my feelings on it too

Learning the ruck isnt rocket science, learn how to be a good leading forward can be difficult

 

[smiddaz123]

I think Shae would be a natural in terms of timing his jumping, since he'd have done that constantly in his basketball career. It's not so much contesting the ruck contests that worries me, more his work around the ground. It's more a worry of him costing the team, I can see him turning the ball over a lot under pressure around the ground, or getting run down a fair bit. He'd have rarely played in a sport where you can get run down like you can in AFL, surely.

I reckon he'd he alright from a set shot, no worse than Cloke for example. It's easier just to bang the ball through the sticks than choose a target (the right one) in a split second and hit them. I'd be genuinely amazed if he could get his decision making and kicking in general play in the back half/midfield up the scratch tbh.

When I say ruck, I'm not that worried about the actual rucking contests, I'd expect him to pick that up almost immediately.

Does anyone know where he played his basketball btw? Centre? Power forward?

 

[collingwill]

Thats my feelings on it too

Learning the ruck isnt rocket science, learn how to be a good leading forward can be difficult

im not sure about this, playing him as a KPF would mean catching the ball and kicking it, playing ruck with the defensive qualitys needed may be harder, i think his biggest problem playing FF apart from kicking for goal would be KPBs of quality would beat him with their speed, body skills and overall pressure. time will tell, he will get his chance up there as a resting ruckman.

 

[shawthing09]

I know it's slightly different as guys like Brogan and Fanning grew up in Australia and more then likely played footy as a kid but they are two examples of basketball converts to the ruck.

I don't think rucks often defend each other so I don't see that being an issue and if that was the case it would just involved following a guy like Cox around the ground.

In terms of general play there have been a heap of rucks who simply handball the ball to the nearest player running past whenever they get it. If he was too be terrible in general play that would be the option. Kick it to him let him mark it and dish to a player running past.

As for fowards just having to "catch the ball" Collingwil really really underestimating the work that needs to be done to get into a position where a mid will kick it to you. Being a spot where a mid is able to spot you, and not being in a spot where you outnumbered. Timing your lead so your not too far out or to close to the mid, making sure your leads are into space, not leading into another fowards space. Etc Etc Etc. If your not able to do these things to a basic level then your just clogging up space in the fowardline which is not good for your other fowards.

 

[collingwill]

I know it's slightly different as guys like Brogan and Fanning grew up in Australia and more then likely played footy as a kid but they are two examples of basketball converts to the ruck.

I don't think rucks often defend each other so I don't see that being an issue and if that was the case it would just involved following a guy like Cox around the ground.

In terms of general play there have been a heap of rucks who simply handball the ball to the nearest player running past whenever they get it. If he was too be terrible in general play that would be the option. Kick it to him let him mark it and dish to a player running past.

As for fowards just having to "catch the ball" Collingwil really really underestimating the work that needs to be done to get into a position where a mid will kick it to you. Being a spot where a mid is able to spot you, and not being in a spot where you outnumbered. Timing your lead so your not too far out or to close to the mid, making sure your leads are into space, not leading into another fowards space. Etc Etc Etc. If your not able to do these things to a basic level then your just clogging up space in the fowardline which is not good for your other fowards.

i think your overestimating it a tad, not worth arguing about though, IMO getting dangerous on a basketball court and getting dangerous on a football field is pretty much the same thing, in theory anyway, im not saying he could do it now but with time who knows ? leading and making space can be learnt, all forwards are taught to do it.

 

[shawthing09]

My point more then anything is the ruck is a far easier position to "pick up" then playing foward would be. Guys like Dawes for example with some kind of AFL background as well as a basketball background still really struggles with his positioning. Tomahawk who is all AFL still has the same problems. Of course when you over explain it, it sounds a lot harder then it really is. My main point is there is far more to playing foward then "catching the ball" and more to pick up then the ruck too IMO.

 

[King Woodie]

While you need good knowledge of the game to become a good FF in the AFL, I think it'd be harder to convert as a ruckman.

It's much easier to just mark to ball and kick for goal, than learn to tap effectively, pick up touches around the ground, being accountable for the other ruckman, dropping into the hole down back etc.

I think if he succeeds, it'll be as a KPF, not a ruckman.

That is an interesting take, Smiddaz... you might be right.

 

[collingwill]

My point more then anything is the ruck is a far easier position to "pick up" then playing foward would be. Guys like Dawes for example with some kind of AFL background as well as a basketball background still really struggles with his positioning. Tomahawk who is all AFL still has the same problems. Of course when you over explain it, it sounds a lot harder then it really is. My main point is there is far more to playing foward then "catching the ball" and more to pick up then the ruck too IMO.

yeah your right.

i dont think theres any doubting what we're up to with the bloke, and thats to make a ruckman out of him, if he makes it and its a MASSIVE IF in time he might get a chance up forward if he chases it, who would know, his ground level skills would be against him up forward id think.

 

[TradeDraft]

Sounds like he as some good Athletic Tools - Is just can he get the Feel of the Game

 

[danielnajdek]

Watching that video it looks like he really wants it hopefully he can work really hard and prove alot of people wrong

 

[smauge]

looks like it's official!
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/86787/default.aspx

 

[smauge]

Takin' it to the masses
http://www.themorningblend.com/NewsArticle/tabid/1474/xmid/39862/Default.aspx

 

[Dylz48]

My point more then anything is the ruck is a far easier position to "pick up" then playing foward would be. Guys like Dawes for example with some kind of AFL background as well as a basketball background still really struggles with his positioning. Tomahawk who is all AFL still has the same problems. Of course when you over explain it, it sounds a lot harder then it really is. My main point is there is far more to playing foward then "catching the ball" and more to pick up then the ruck too IMO.

Disagree having played both in the ruck and forward when playing footy it might not have been at the highest level I believe it still gives me an informed opinion. IMHO ruck is a much harder position then forward. Rucking isn't just tapping the ball down and hoping the best. Timing your leap and getting the ball where you want it to go and stoppage set ups are all a lot harder to pick up then it seems not to mention learning where to position yourself around the ground.

 

[Markfs]

I was googling and found this

Shae McNamara
Birthplace: Milwaukee
Forward, 6'8", 215 lbs
High school: Milwaukee Marquette
- Scout: 2*, #11 prospect in Wisconsin
- other: #12 prospect in Wisconsin per Mark Miller
College: 4 years, graduating senior
- Marist Red Foxes
- College stats: 3.5 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 0.5 ast, 0.4 stl, 0.2 blk
- Senior season stats: 4.1 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 0.5 ast, 0.2 stl, 0.1 blk
notes:

at http://www.recruitingplanet.com/for...ng/13787-basketball-state-player-tracker.html

So his height and weight are ok, but I thought this guy played some professional ball... it seems to me that he's coming out of college and looking for a job as a professional athlete....and look at his numbers in the game that he played for 20 years!!!! 3 or 4 points a game at college level!!!! a couple of rebounds...hardly any steals, assists or blocks....in other words, a very very very ordinary basketball player.

They say he's enthusiastic...well I suppose that's ONE good quality...

I smell publicity in this..

 

[Optimax]

Played senior bball in Europe as well

 

[Markfs]

I heard that...but it must have been a fast season. And there are guys playing pro basketball for the Bunbury Hawks or something similar.... lots of american guys who come out of college with a desire to see the world and the skills of a mediocre player.

I'm willing to make the call now...and I dont reckon he'll make it..

 

[gifted1]

mark you hardly need to be a rocket scientist to work out that he wasn't a star basketballer. If he was wtf would he be doing in australia on a rookie deal probably/definitely worth bugger all, certainly a very very small percentage of what he'd make if he was a gun basketballer.
That said though how good he was at basketball doesn't really reflect on his afl ability, presumably he tested well at the athletic qualities we desire.

 

[smauge]

His basketball figures mean SFA - he's over here to play footy. When I see some figures on that I'll take notice

 

[Markfs]

well I didnt think he was a star basketballer, but I hear that he's 24 and has played basketball in europe and I thought he was just not good enough to play NBA....so I thought that he played a little in europe at the elite level and then he thinks that doing that isnt going to do it for him....so he thinks about trying AFL at the elite level..but I dont think it happened that way. Its more like a guy who wants to be a star.....somewhere

you cant compare him to leroy loggins or robert rose who played NBL here.... some of those americans had a game or two at NBA level but were never good enough to make it long-term...

well Shae would have even struggled to play in the NBL...and it might mean SFA... but I was hoping that he was going to be a great athlete who needed to learn a game...

 

[Gambit78]

I take it people have been watching training and seen the game simulation drills they go through. How does the big American move about the ground? Does he seem lost? Is he being embarrassed or is he holding his own against the more 'natural' players on our list? Is he handling the physicality of our game?

 

[Bonuspoints]

Obviously not a star and thats why his pro-basketball days are over, but a bit harsh on his stats. Probably didn't get that many minutes during games, which is why they're low. Shane Heal averaged 6 minutes per game in his time with Minesota in the NBA amd 12 minutes with the Spurs. Gaze had a similiar story with 10 minutes in his first go in the NBA and 3 minutes in his second stint. Their stats reflect that court time they had. To be honest I don't care about what he's done on the basketball court as its what he's doing on the footy field that matters. We all know he's a longshot, but hey sit back and enjoy the ride.

 

[WinOrLoseILoveEm]

I was googling and found this
.........and look at his numbers in the game that he played for 20 years!!!! 3 or 4 points a game at college level!!!! a couple of rebounds...hardly any steals, assists or blocks....in other words, a very very very ordinary basketball player.

They say he's enthusiastic...well I suppose that's ONE good quality...

I smell publicity in this..

Twenty years seems a stretch given he's twenty four/five. But they do start them young in the secret CIA funded sports mills that churn out elite athletes at six years of age. But let's let sleeping dogs lie on that topic.

As had been stated in a previous post he played in Germany and his stats are obviously way better than his collegiate career. Either way his basketball stats are irrevelant to his performance at AFL level. His application and success in acquiring the neccessary skillsets for whatever role MM has in mind for him is the more important.

I love his endeavour and application to a plan.
Publicity is the life blood of any budding sports career. And at his age without it ...... At best he's got six / seven years. Success better happen quickly or he'll be competing for a job as a junior high school basketball coach in Nowheretown U.S.A.

It's a major gamble because he is banking his financial future on a sports pathway that has many tryouts with as almost as many discards Richards, Fanning, Bear, Cloke, Crow etc.

More important is his obvious athleticism, enthusiasm and intelligent preparation and marketing of himself. The downside is in the past MM has shown little patience with our under performing older ruck stocks.

Shae's athleticism and strength is a major bonus and if he can handpass like Tony Shaw and improve his below the knees endeavour at the ball his kicking is less of a concern. Checkout Kurt Tippet in the Adelaide final in 2009 for a template of tall's ground game.

Shae may just fit in to our needs on ball should our ruck stocks become depleted. Current speculation suggests ruck or forward. Backline makes a lot of sense to me where talls dishing out to fast leading linkage players is a major bonus. With Presti imminent retirement could he be the Blanket MkII? I'm sure he is used to playing tight to his man.

The unpredicatability of our oval ball will be concerning factor but most elite players knows it's better to mark or punch the ball to our space than to try to predict its the erratic bounce. If he can improve his handball probaly easier than improving his kicking there's no reason why he cant have an impact. Either way he's an exciting propsect.

I'm predictng a role down back is a more likely possibility rather than forward or ruck.

http://www.eurobasket.com/player.asp?Cntry=GER&PlayerID=91133&AmNotSure=1

 

[smauge]

Just to clear things up a bit -
Shae became interested in AFL when one of the Swans coaching staff had a connection with basketball in America and asked his connection if he could recommend any basketballers that might be able to cross over. This fellow put a few names forward, including Shae, but the Swans decided against it and went in another direction.
Meanwhile Shae took a look at this sport he was recommended for, decided it might be fun and started making videos for youtube and to send to AFL clubs. Collingwood bit.