A Home for all the newsmaking stories in 2011
By Kim Densham in Melbourne for AFANA
Inscribed in the plaque on the statue of Collingwood Legend and AFL Hall of Fame player, coach and club man, Bob Rose, are the words 'Play Tough, Play Brave, Play Like Bobby Rose', a motto for all Collingwood Players. A credo none more so than for US born, son of Milwaulkie, Shae McNamara. A former basketballer and pro athlete who made the journey 'downunder' to play what Australians simply call "footy". After just two seasons on the rookie list , Shae was to play his debut game on Friday night against the Sydney Swans, the team that initially recruited him.
Wearring number 50 on his back , a reminder of his US heritage and the Fifty States, Shae was thrown into the NAB Cup deep end, as back up ruckman for Cameron Wood and target up front. His 204 cm's and athletic ability made him an ideal foil for the running midfielders. During his swansong with eight minutes left on the clock, McNamara out muscled his more fancied Sydney defender, worked the ball into the drop zone out front, turned back and took a steadied chest mark. He walked back, perfomed his kick routine and slotted home a goal - with seven minutes and sixteen seconds on the clock., a dream debut.
Now to work on getting some ink.