Finding My Wings...

by Shae McNamara

There’s less than a quarter of the season left until the finals (playoffs), and I am finding my wings! Throughout the season, I’ve been Full Forward and Ruck and been having some pretty good games fulfilling both those roles. Some games were more towards the forward half and others were in the midfield, battling it out with the other big man of the other team.

It was a game versus Casey in the VFL where I was dominating in the Ruck, when their Ruckman went down. During that same time, their wing who stood at 6’5/6’6, was dominating the game. The coaches talked about it, took me out and on the phone. Naturally, I thought, “What the heck am I doing on the Phone? I didn’t do anything wrong, and I know its rare to get a good job via phone…”
Coach said, “Their wing is killing us and since their Ruckman is out, our other Rucks can do the job. I know you’ve never played the wing before, but I believe in you and know you can run with him and get on top of him!”

That game, I managed to not only stop him, but to get 13 touches from there in less than 3 quarters. The coaches were thrilled with my performance along side my teammates. I was on a high from that, especially because it was the first time in this sport where I didn’t have to play “big.” That may sound funny, but let me explain…

In basketball and in other sports I’ve played, I was always able to be the stereotypical “big man,” but more importantly, play small. An example of this is when I played basketball in college. Coach had faith in me to not only guard the forward/centers, but also the guards and point guards. If you can imagine a 6’8 kid guarding a 5’9 point guard, that was me! That’s basically what it looks like when I’m playing on the on the wing. Its funny because when I match up with these guys, they say to me, “I never thought I’d be matching up with someone who’s 6’8, much alone an American!” It cracks me up everytime I think about it!

Now, your probably saying to yourself, “Shae, you’re an elite athlete! You can physically pull that off. How can I do that? Or how can I play a position that’s not a “typical prototype” position?” I’ll answer it with this…I study the game and indulge in Footy as much as possible. Even when it didn’t and doesn’t relate to me, I’m always taking mental notes and invisioning myself playing as it enfolds. Also, I work tirelessly on my skills!

When I first started, everybody and their mother was telling me that I don’t need to work on the kicking (especially on my opposite) that hard, because I was a Ruckman. I didn’t listen to that! Infact, I laughed at them and wanted to embaress them with my skills someday. Today, I’m getting that laugh because I’m playing one of their positions and doing it better than them. Either way, I didn’t fall into the trap so many kids fall for from their parents and ignorant coaches as they grow up. Just goes to show you, that if you go down your own path, at your own pace, you will end up achieving what you wish for!

Lastly, I’ve been working on my own little project for awhile. I always realized that what I am doing is very rare and I get to experience things most will never be able to do. So, I decided to create my own website: http://shae-mcnamara.com! My site will entale a weekly blog that will show you the fans my new culture of Australia and updates on my progress with Footy. The other part (my favorite part) will be a topic called “AFL 101.” In this, I will show you not only how to properly handball and kick, but drills I live by for all parts of the game! I will also, go position by position and tell you what are the key things to think about and work on to become the best you can be! I realize it can be tough playing a sport that no one really knows about and or have time for you to “have a kick with” (play catch), so I will give you specific drills for you to cope with just like I do when I’m in the States.

Please check it out, because I think it can and will really help you enhance your awareness and skills of the game you now love! There’s a place on the site where you can communicate with me by leaving a comment. This will help me, help you for the future videos I do!

All the best and hope you and your teams are performing well and on the right path leading towards Nationals in October! Also, for those of you men and women that will be heading towards me in a few weeks time, I will be around and attending the games. The AFL and I have it set up that I will be partaking in some of the activities and will be showing you my club. I also, am planning (if allowed by your coaches) to help out at your practices and games if you wish! Hope you guys bring home the trophie! GO USA!