Shae McNamara a Swan?

[bretigan]

Hi,

So sorry that I haven't been online for a long time. In the jewelry business and Christmas is my season. Anyway, was able to hang out with Shae, and he told me that he knew some people on the Swans, and the Swans dropped the ball on him. I am so glad he isn't a Swan. That team sounds kind of wimpy.

Bret

 

[mattys123]

It's a good thing he didn't got to the Swans, more for Shae's sake then anything else.

Sydney are in a "rebuilding phase", and won't be a serious contender for another 4-5 years, as at least at Collingwood he is at a club who will contend for a premiership in the next 2-3 years.

We are all glad he ended up at Collingwood too.

 

[TradeDraft]

Hi,

So sorry that I haven't been online for a long time. In the jewelry business and Christmas is my season. Anyway, was able to hang out with Shae, and he told me that he knew some people on the Swans, and the Swans dropped the ball on him. I am so glad he isn't a Swan. That team sounds kind of wimpy.

Bret

How did the Swans drop the Ball on Shae?


I am also glad he is at the Pies too mate

 

[unplugged]

They probably dropped the ball because we tackled them. Hopefully they will be penalised on the field accordingly in years to come.

 

[Markfs]

I told my son that this guy will be good for publicity in the USA, but it seems that the forum has fallen in love with him too.

Sorry to be sceptical, but if he "swans" his way into the seniors this year ahead of the players ahead of him, then we can expect an invasion from failed American basketballer players in the coming years.

I had a mate a couple of years ago who I used to go for a kick with at work during lunchtime. He was born in England and spent his younger years kicking a round ball around, until his family packed up and moved here.

It used to really piss me off that he could kick a perfect drop punt over 50 metres. He had a great kicking action and I looked like a love child of David Cloke..... Anyway, he loved the game and was a great athlete...but he never played AFL.

Lesson in story - being enthusiastic and learning how to kick fast doesnt make you an AFL player.

Marty Clarke was a gifted athlete and had terrific hand-eye coordination and made the big-time in record time.....but I wouldnt say his last 5 games were much better than his first 5 games. I think that he reached his peak and was never going to be a superstar...and he was very good as is his Swans mate Tadhg Kennelly.

I havent heard anything from the training track about Shae other than him being enthusiastic and quick to learn. That wont make him an AFL player overnight. My prediction...Gary Pert making a statement in 2 years that we are dropping Shae off the list ...that it was an experiment that failed...

 

[Zahki]

I havent heard anything from the training track about Shae other than him being enthusiastic and quick to learn. That wont make him an AFL player overnight. My prediction...Gary Pert making a statement in 2 years that we are dropping Shae off the list ...that it was an experiment that failed...

Wow, you're a real beam of sunshine, aincha? Any more predictions you want to share? Luke Ball busting a hip game 1 and never playing again maybe?

 

[King Woodie]

I havent heard anything from the training track about Shae other than him being enthusiastic and quick to learn. That wont make him an AFL player overnight. My prediction...Gary Pert making a statement in 2 years that we are dropping Shae off the list ...that it was an experiment that failed...

Reasonable
prediction. I share your pessimism about whether Shae will make it or not, however, he has signed for 3 years I believe, and would expect the club to use all three years before delisting him.

 

[The Magnificent Seven]

My prediction...Gary Pert making a statement in 2 years that we are dropping Shae off the list ...that it was an experiment that failed...

You're making the assumption that the whole experiment is based around Shae and not looking more broadly into the American Market. Even if there were 10 kids from USA who saw what Shae is doing, they could influence yet more and more kids... it's a long-term strategy and who knows what kind of popularity it could gain within 5 years.

 

[collingwill]

i thought the bloke had zero chance of making it after i watched his first video, but after seeing improvment in all of his later videos im much more optimisitic, IMO if shea cant make it then no one from the US can, MM could even give him a taste as early as this year IMO (just a little taste, against a shit team perhaps)

 

[King Woodie]

i thought the bloke had zero chance of making it after i watched his first video, but after seeing improvment in all of his later videos im much more optimisitic, IMO if shea cant make it then no one from the US can, MM could even give him a taste as early as this year IMO (just a little taste, against a shit team perhaps)

So you think that of all the 300 million Americans, Shae is the only one who is any chance of making it in the AFL? A bit of a stretch.

Also, MM wouldn't play him against a "shit" team just to give him a little taste (unless it is in the NAB Cup, which is still long long odds). He is behind each of Fraser, Jolly, Wood, Keeffe, L Brown, and probably even Dawes for a ruck spot.

 

[King Woodie]

You're making the assumption that the whole experiment is based around Shae and not looking more broadly into the American Market. Even if there were 10 kids from USA who saw what Shae is doing, they could influence yet more and more kids... it's a long-term strategy and who knows what kind of popularity it could gain within 5 years.

I hope then, that you are not one of the people who suggest our irish experiment failed because we, at present, do not have one on our list...

 

[collingwill]

So you think that of all the 300 million Americans, Shae is the only one who is any chance of making it in the AFL? A bit of a stretch.

Also, MM wouldn't play him against a "shit" team just to give him a little taste (unless it is in the NAB Cup, which is still long long odds). He is behind each of Fraser, Jolly, Wood, Keeffe, L Brown, and probably even Dawes for a ruck spot.

well with shaes athletic ability, hunger, work ethic, if he cant make it then id be surprised if anyone of similar background could, he ticks all the boxes, also MM often plays kids ahead of senior players, its something he's always done especially if he thinks it will help their development, remember we dont know what position mick will play him, he could very well be tryed as a KPF before ruck, if mick thinks his an out and out ruckman he'll be in for a very long wait so my guess is we'll try him FWD and it could be as early as this year, or possibly a run with role against a cox or similar hard running ruckman.

 

[DWil6]

well with shaes athletic ability, hunger, work ethic, if he cant make it then id be surprised if anyone of similar background could, he ticks all the boxes, also MM often plays kids ahead of senior players, its something he's always done especially if he thinks it will help their development, remember we dont know what position mick will play him, he could very well be tryed as a KPF before ruck, if mick thinks his an out and out ruckman he'll be in for a very long wait so my guess is we'll try him FWD and it could be as early as this year, or possibly a run with role against a cox or similar hard running ruckman.

Holy sh1t! All that in only 1 sentence!

 

[King Woodie]

well with shaes athletic ability, hunger, work ethic, if he cant make it then id be surprised if anyone of similar background could, he ticks all the boxes, also MM often plays kids ahead of senior players, its something he's always done especially if he thinks it will help their development, remember we dont know what position mick will play him, he could very well be tryed as a KPF before ruck, if mick thinks his an out and out ruckman he'll be in for a very long wait so my guess is we'll try him FWD and it could be as early as this year, or possibly a run with role against a cox or similar hard running ruckman.

I disagree with a lot here.

1.There is zero chance he will get a senior AFL game as a key forward in 2010.

2. Mick doesn't often play kids ahead of senior players, even in the NAB Cup.

3. Mick won't just play someone for the sake of their development. He will only play someone if he thinks they are the best for the side at that time. I should also note that it would also be good for Wood's development, for Keeffe's development, and for Dawes' development.

4. It will take more than athletic ability (which we assume Shae has), hunger (which we have no real evidence of) and work ethic (also no real evidence yet.)

Even if you assume that one of Jolly or Fraser goes down, would you pick Cameron Wood, Lachlan Keeffe, or Shae Macnamara to play in the ruck?

 

[collingwill]

Holy sh1t! All that in only 1 sentence!

do you feel better for pointing that out? notice i didnt use a capital to start it too? d1p sh1t.

 

[collingwill]

I disagree with a lot here.

1.There is zero chance he will get a senior AFL game as a key forward in 2010.

2. Mick doesn't often play kids ahead of senior players, even in the NAB Cup.

3. Mick won't just play someone for the sake of their development. He will only play someone if he thinks they are the best for the side at that time. I should also note that it would also be good for Wood's development, for Keeffe's development, and for Dawes' development.

4. It will take more than athletic ability (which we assume Shae has), hunger (which we have no real evidence of) and work ethic (also no real evidence yet.)

Even if you assume that one of Jolly or Fraser goes down, would you pick Cameron Wood, Lachlan Keeffe, or Shae Macnamara to play in the ruck?

1. like there was zero chance of marty coming on so quickly?

2. do you really think barham and a few others were in front of marty clark when they were played ahead of him?

3. he'll have to earn any chance he gets, but mick will play lesser players ahead of established players if only to prove a point, look at no2 for example.

4. shaes an elite athlete, played high grade basketball and soccer, he has a running vertical of 40" and runs a pretty mean 400, im not assuming anything when i say he has athletic ability, also for him to chase his AFL dream instead of basketball (in a new country and possibly for less money) shows he has the drive to succeed IMO, as for work ethic, just look at the build of the man.

remember keefe, wood, cant play anywhere else but ruck(keefe maybe as a backman), shae has much more athletisism, dont be surprised to see him givin a go in 2010.

 

[King Woodie]

1. like there was zero chance of marty coming on so quickly?

2. do you really think barham and a few others were in front of marty clark when they were played ahead of him?
quote]

1. Marty came from Gaelic Football, a game which you could argue most closely resembles AFL football in terms of game play, means of transference (kicking), and general movement. He also played as a small defender, a role in which he would have been able to be guided through the game by a small forward, rather than having to make too much of his own play. Marty was no real suprise (which is not to say it wasn't a brilliant effort.)

You suggested Shae play as a tall forward (which is what I refuted). Shae would need to learn game sense, reading the play, timing the leads, working with other forwards, contested and uncontested marking, set shot goal kicking, field goal kicking, field kicking, etc. There is more to learn for a key forward than a small defender.

And yes, I do think that when Malthouse played Barham, it was because he was the best option, not because he thought "Oh, well, there may be better options in the twos, but even though we are in a fierce battle for a top 3/4 spot, I will play this kid who is not quite as good as the alternative just because it would be good for his development." If Malthouse cared about development over the best player, the any of Wood, Reid, Dawes, and N Brown would have taken Leigh Brown's spot for any of his 23 games last year.

I just think that people need to keep their feet on the ground with Macnamara - I have seen him at training and up close, and he still needs a lot of work.

P.S I am interested in whatever statistics you have on his athletic ability. I know he has a sensational vert leap, but do you have any time for 400m, out of interest? He does sound like an athletic freak.

 

[collingwill]

1. like there was zero chance of marty coming on so quickly?

2. do you really think barham and a few others were in front of marty clark when they were played ahead of him?
quote]

1. Marty came from Gaelic Football, a game which you could argue most closely resembles AFL football in terms of game play, means of transference (kicking), and general movement. He also played as a small defender, a role in which he would have been able to be guided through the game by a small forward, rather than having to make too much of his own play. Marty was no real suprise (which is not to say it wasn't a brilliant effort.)

You suggested Shae play as a tall forward (which is what I refuted). Shae would need to learn game sense, reading the play, timing the leads, working with other forwards, contested and uncontested marking, set shot goal kicking, field goal kicking, field kicking, etc. There is more to learn for a key forward than a small defender.

And yes, I do think that when Malthouse played Barham, it was because he was the best option, not because he thought "Oh, well, there may be better options in the twos, but even though we are in a fierce battle for a top 3/4 spot, I will play this kid who is not quite as good as the alternative just because it would be good for his development." If Malthouse cared about development over the best player, the any of Wood, Reid, Dawes, and N Brown would have taken Leigh Brown's spot for any of his 23 games last year.

I just think that people need to keep their feet on the ground with Macnamara - I have seen him at training and up close, and he still needs a lot of work.

P.S I am interested in whatever statistics you have on his athletic ability. I know he has a sensational vert leap, but do you have any time for 400m, out of interest? He does sound like an athletic freak.[/quote]

i was just going on something i saw on one of his videos regarding his 400 mtrs, i cant remember what the time was exactly but it was impressive for such a big bloke, i also think brett said his main track/feild sport was high jump. (local level)

i also didnt say he would be a certain FF, i said FF or a run with (ruck) role or both, the run with role would be the best bet IMO, your right about how hard it would be for him to be a deep FWD, goal kicking/ leading/ making space/ blocking/ contested marking/ defensive areas/ would take a lot longer than 12mnths to learn but im sure if and when he does play he will pinch hit as a deep fwd.

 

[wicksy]

God it seems everyone is overrating this kid at the moment.... (Even himself)!!

Hasn't played a game yet..... FFS!

 

[collingwill]

God it seems everyone is overrating this kid at the moment.... (Even himself)!!

Hasn't played a game yet..... FFS!

why not get excited? its the bloody off season lol.

he has the tools to make it, IMO the biggest test will be if he has it above the shoulders, courage being the sticking point for me, time will tell.

 

[CAS79]

Well excuse me for intervening but dropped the ball is really nonsense.

We already have a Canadian rugby player and a new Irish kid in the mix. There are only so many resources you can throw at international development and we decided to look elsewhere rather than taking on a challenge to many.

and as for Whimpy... We might be slow, we might be accused of being boring but we’ve never being accused of being whimpy.... since 1995 anyway .

 

[collingwill]

Well excuse me for intervening but dropped the ball is really nonsense.

We already have a Canadian rugby player and a new Irish kid in the mix. There are only so many resources you can throw at international development and we decided to look elsewhere rather than taking on a challenge to many.

and as for Whimpy... We might be slow, we might be accused of being boring but we’ve never being accused of being whimpy.... since 1995 anyway .

im just glad someone gave him a chance, i wouldve prefered a "brother" if you know what i meen, ive always wondered how one of those big basketball types would go in our game givin the chance.

 

[wicksy]

why not get excited? its the bloody off season lol.

he has the tools to make it, IMO the biggest test will be if he has it above the shoulders, courage being the sticking point for me, time will tell.

Get excited about Macaffer, Sidebottom and Beams but a yank who has flown out and is twittering like he's already a good chance at Chaz, not so much!

 

[The Magnificent Seven]

I hope then, that you are not one of the people who suggest our irish experiment failed because we, at present, do not have one on our list...

Eh? Quite the opposite.

Marty left because of personal reasons, not from lack of skill. Kevin left because he couldn't get it together (notwithstanding a nasty hammy injury).

So I'd say nothing conclusive came from our Irish recruits just yet. And there's still the opportunity for more to come, so my opinion is that so far we've done alright out of the experiment. We can gauge how long it should take for 'raw' recruits to get the skills (or if they can), what kind of attributes to look for in individuals who have little exposure to AFL, etc.

I'd say the 'Irish' experiment has informed the 'American' experiment quite well. So far.

 

[collingwill]

Get excited about Macaffer, Sidebottom and Beams but a yank who has flown out and is twittering like he's already a good chance at Chaz, not so much!

maybe its all a ploy and he just wants to make some cash off the doco? stranger things have happened.