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With a name like Seamus ‘Shae’ McNamara, you’d be forgiven for thinking this AFL rookie has been recruited from Gaelic football in the Emerald Isle. Wrong. Shae McNamara is actually a yank, and he might just be the key to promoting AFL in the USA.
Playing with the Magpies’ top side in Friday night’s NAB Cup quarter-final clash with the Sydney Swans, Shae McNamara caused quite a buzz among Collingwood fans, and has raised the profile of AFL back in the US.
So could this lanky yank be the key to achieving greater exposure of AFL in the States?
Every time McNamara (or ‘American Pie’ as they’re calling him) got his hands on the ball, “U.S.A, U.S.A” was the chant echoed across the field by Collingwood supporters on Friday night.
He may not be the first ever US-born AFL player, but McNamara is the first born and raised, full-blooded American to play for Collingwood Football Club.
After putting up a training video on YouTube and sending off applications to various AFL sides, the American was offered a two year international rookie contract in 2009, before being picked up by Collingwood as the #47 draft pick.
Watching McNamara’s AFL skills in the video linked above is rather amusing, as he tries to punt and handball with an American football.
But his agility, strength and overhead marks showed potential. With a little faith from Collingwood and a lot of hard work, he’s managed to bring his basic skills up to a competitive level and going by footage from a VFL match, against Williamstown, the kid’s definitely got game.
Standing at 6’8 and weighing 104kg, the 25-year-old certainly has some key physical qualities that make him perfect for the game.
Groomed to drift in the forwards and around the ruck he’s averaged about a goal a game in the VFL last year, and his appearance on Friday night continued this stat. Maxwell kicked it long, deep inside fifty, McNamara took the mark and slotted home the goal. He also managed 5 marks and 8 disposals.
Originally a professional basketball player with his most recent stint being for TSV Dachau Spurs in the German league, McNamara started as most aspiring athletes in the US do, going through the US college system playing for a Division 1 university.
While playing basketball in Munich, the Milwaukee native first learnt about AFL when he was contacted by ESPN commentator and basketball legend Digger Phelps who advised him of the opportunity to play our game.
But his basketball career was hardly floundering. He was actually quite sought after, with several European clubs vying for his signature. Nevertheless he made the move, and a couple of years later, here he is, playing for Collingwood with the number 50 on his back (symbolising the 50 States he represents).
Cramping and tightness set in after half time during Friday night’s match, and he definitely has room to improve before making it into an accomplished AFL side fresh off a Premiership flag.
But if having McNamara on board at Collingwood means just one thing – exposure of AFL in the US – it will be worth all the effort.
Since 2009 ESPN have been airing AFL matches in the USA and Canada. Just like One HD has done for NFL here in Australia, international broadcasting deals are an excellent way to tap into overseas markets, and in this case, make AFL more accessible to those curious about the sport in the States.
There is already an interest of AFL in the US thanks to Sav Rocca and Ben Graham who have both drawn attention to the game with their success in their respective NFL franchises. However, the AFL want to take this interest one step further and build on this curiosity by targeting the impressive talent pool in the home of the brave.
Earlier this month meetings were held in the US between a handful of AFL clubs, the NCAA (college sporting body), and the AFL, aiming to create legitimate pathways for American university athletes to make the move to the AFL.
The plan outlined by AFL Director Peter Schwab, is to create an alternate route for those elite athletes who narrowly miss out on being drafted in their chosen sport at the end of their college sporting career.
But don’t be fooled, in the highly competitive arena of US college athletics, those who miss out are not necessarily ‘the worst of the worst’ and in fact still have plenty to offer. Schwab particularly wants to focus on those who compete in college basketball and gridiron.
Who knows, before long Shae McNamara might not be the only American trying to make his mark in the AFL.
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