World Footy News

Supporters of international footy have closely followed the journey of Shae McNamara, the big American basketballer who pitched his wares to AFL clubs and won a trial with the Collingwood Football Club back in late 2009.  Next he made the rookie list and impressed with his athleticism and seemed to be picking up the skills quite quickly, leading the ruck at VFL level by 2010.  "American Pie", as he was often called, even played a NAB Cup game in 2011 and looked on track for an AFL debut by 2012.

Somewhere along the road Shae's journey lost momentum and at the end of 2012 he was cut from the Pies' list.  A trial with Hawthorn didn't lead to rookie listing and the trailblazer from the United States has headed home to re-start his pro basketball career.  Shae previously played four seasons of NCAA Division I collegiate basketball in the US for Marist College in New York before playing one season of professional basketball in Germany.  worldfootynews.com caught up with the American Pie to discuss why things didn't quite work out and how he hopes the future will unfold.

We started off asking if he felt he'd been given a full shot at the game and if not where things went astray.

"Collingwood Football Club was at its peak and I was a beginner at best... once I started to get good, I know I deserved a shot. Why? Cuz I was beating rivals who were in and out of teams in the AFL. Also, we had the best record over the last 3 years... 2 regular season titles (i.e. finishing top at the end of the minor round)...so you're not going to fix something that isn't broke, and why would you? I was all about the team winning, but I do think I should have had opportunities to get shots during the 2nd and 3rd years... I'll elaborate more when the time is right".

Lack of opportunities at such a strong club has hurt the chances of other internationals, such Tommy Walsh landing at St Kilda when they made the Grand Final two years in a row and had very few injuries.  Ironically Walsh then shifted to Sydney who promptly won the 2012 flag.  Besides lack of opportunities at such a strong club it seems Shae feels his age will be counted against him, and he's decided not to explore using state league level possibilties to re-launch an AFL career.

"As for me, I'm going to play pro basketball again. I've done my thing playing footy and know in my heart I had what it took to make it, and I'm not going to allow others stray me from my positive attitude about my game. I've have probably at least 10 more opportunities, at various levels to continue on playing, but I'm a professional and I'm staying a professional until I think it's time to hang them up."

Besides opportunity to debut in the regular AFL season there presumably were areas of his game that held him back.  In his usual brash and exuberant way that probably rubs the wrong way with some Australians, McNamara makes it clear he felt he was playing well.  Could it just be that game sense and awareness was too hard to pick up in a short space on time?

"It sure wasn't my athletic ability, which is a shame cuz I could have impressed the masses but its ok. My skills actually shocked people by how good it was. IQ always evolves, ask Michael Jordan if he stopped learning during his last year playing! I proved I could play all over the place, so it was a real shame I couldn't be a vital utility! It did take awhile to embrace trying to hurt others. That wasn't my gig, but as a "tall" that's what's expected...I could have been more of a 'punk' but that isn't who I am, and not how I ever played any sport. That's the one and only criticism from my coaches...but I've learned this sport is perception vs reality...once they make up their mind on you, it takes a long time to change that negative vibe!"

Religion has been a regular theme in some of Shae's social media postings, again something unusual in a country like Australia, and he still sees his time in the AFL as part of a greater plan.

"There's a reason why this sport found me. I truly feel it's God's guidance that brought me down here. He knew I was mentally tough enough to be the trailblazer, and look! We got 2 more Americans now, from using a stat guy that used me as the "prototype" and used my athletic credentials from the Swans and now AFL...

I also, believe I'm here to do something way bigger than myself...besides learning so much about myself, the people that I've met have helped shape me in who I am today, for that...this journey has been good enough. All the rest has been icing on the cake! The rest will manifest itself out, but I know I'm on the right path...."

It seems staying on an AFL list was vital to keep Shae Down Under and he recently trialled with Hawthorn, apparently missing out by the smallest of margins.  Ironically the nod went to fellow de-listed Collingwood ruckman Jonathon Ceglar who in AFL club eyes may have had the advantage of being a few years younger.

"I played as good as I've ever played and felt on cloud 9! I had all the confidence in the world that my name was going to get called, but it is what it is.. If I was to get picked, I would have been a preferred rookie, which means I would have been able to play round 1...they said it was as close of a call as it could get...doesn't help the ego one bit!"

Whilst in Australia Shae took an active interest in promoting the sport, speaking with the US Revolution at the International Cup as well as the South Pacific and World XVIII youth sides.  The Milwaukee native has always been keen to grow the game's profile in the US and would love to work with the AFL in an official capacity.

"I've spoken to AFL House countless times! I will reach out to them one more time. In hopes they use their logic in a no brainer decision to have me be a promotional ambassador and teacher of the game to the elite athletes that will be coming through the ranks that I've created... I'm very pumped about helping this game grow, but this won't be a free ticket. AFL House has to meet me half way and make this happen. If they do, I'll be the best that I can and with my story... I have no doubt it can create buzz, regardless if I will never make the "big time..."

Also, if someone saw the way I kick and handball, I have no doubts I'd earn their respect. Being American and talking American will enable these new breeds of talent a faster way of grasping what it takes to hit targets and what is expected of them for each position...not to mention what drills to do to help transform their bodies from being fast twitch muscles to having a little more slow twitch muscles, yet still keeping the fast twitch as powerful as ever! All can and will happen if the AFL House meets me half way... I hope they do!"

worldfootynews.com contacted the AFL's International Development Manager, Tony Woods, about whether they were considering Shae for a role.  Woods explained that, "It would be a great to keep Shae involved in some way and there have been some initial discussions but we are working on a US Scholarship program to support the likes of Eric Wallace and the next athletes coming through the US Combine. If this results in an ability to keep him involved then great".

Given that's not exactly a positive indication from the AFL and the American is now home at age 27 sadly the odds are the game won't see much more of Shae McNamara.  But after 4 years out of his original sport, it's good to know Shae has "landed on his feet" and recently capped a tumultuous year signing on to play basketball with the Sandringham Sabres in Australia's Southern Basketball Assocation, and getting engaged to his girlfriend.  If we don't hear any further in Australian football circles then best of luck with wherever life takes him, it certainly has been an interesting journey and one we hope more Americans will follow, surely with ultimate success just a matter of time and numbers.

Many thanks to Shae for this interview during what must be a frustrating time having come so far, done so much and gone so close.