EDITOR: Collingwood's American recruit, Shae McNamara, talks about playoff footy in the VFL (minor league) and the AFL. If you would like to ask Shae a question CLICK HERE.
Last week we lost by 50 plus points. Got our asses handed to us! It wasn't the way I wanted to go out by no means, but it is what it is... I am proud of the way I played. I did what I had to do, although I would love to do some "do overs" but don't we all? Haha I did hit one from 50 after the half time siren went off while everyone was watching and talking trash... It was great! I hit it with authority through the middle and everybody jumped on me running into the locker rooms! What a great feeling!
Now the awkward times... The GM has filtered the squad to 31 guys to train together on the road to the finals. That means the other 17 guys, including myself either got delisted or are having our vacation time now. I had no idea they were going to do this to us... I would've thought we would have stood as a team... I mean we are "side by side" aren't we? Haha I don't get it! It would've been a great way to learn and enhance my skills and IQ with the playoff fever, but what do I know...
After a long, hot summer of hard work on the training field and continuous improvement, at last the (8) Nashville Kangaroos had the challenge they were working towards. (9) Chicago United were the reigning champions of the MAAFL with three consecutive titles while Nashville's last premiership was back in 2002. Both teams were undefeated in the MAAFL, leaving this final MAAFL clash for the championship.
The game started the way the Roos had hoped, with Chicago struggling to bring the ball into their attacking half. While Chicago's defense provided strong resistance, Luke "Ooga Booga" Nemeth, Dave "Mailman" Walker and "Sugar" Kane Harrison continually locked up the center and provided possessions for forwards such as Cliff "Nugget" Cosnahan, Chris "Bagman" Moerman and Bo Link. Goals by Moerman and Link had the Roos up by 14 points before Chicago got the ball to their forward line, but talent like Paul Meyer, Toby Allen and Brian Hoyt could not remain suppressed. Displaying tenacity and wet weather wizardry, these three kicked a goal apiece to end the quarter with Chicago leading 3.0 (18) to 2.3 (15).
The reality TV show, American Footy Star, has set a combine for September 18 in Los Angeles CA. Producer, Miro Gladovic, announced the combine in an open letter to USFooty clubs (posted on USAFL.com). In the letter, Gladovic, request clubs to nominate players able to play AFL footy and for them "to submit resumes, pictures, statistics, and preferably some video highlights to www.americanfootystar.com. (Include 20 meter sprint times, standing and running vertical test statistics)."
Gladovic is also looking broader than USFooty clubs. In the letter he asks clubs to "reach out within your communities and cities, particularly to colleges where athletes are looking for opportunity, and promote the search and the chance for an athlete to win a trip to Australia and participate in the 2010 AFL Draft Camp. These athletes would include high school football/basketball players, even sprinters that did not secure a collegiate scholarship and collegiates who did not get drafted to the NFL or NBA this or last year."
US Revolution and Milwaukee Bomber, Dan Sarbacker, spent the summer in Australia playing for the Mansfield Eagles in the country Goulburn Valley league. Recently, he was selected into the senior side.
It is a big weekend of footy. Down South the MAAFL Championship will be decided and we have a footy tournament in Austin. That plus the big local darby between San Diego and Orange County.
EDITOR: Collingwood's American recruit, Shae McNamara, talks about playoff footy in the VFL (minor league) and the AFL. If you would like to ask Shae a question CLICK HERE.
Here we are at my first playoff appearance this week! Or as they call it, "finals!" Haha you got to love the cultural differences...
Last week I had a breakout game scoring 3 goals and an assist. I really went after the ball in the air and attacked it. My airial attack has been lacking this year due to lack of confidence and security, but ever since we've been doing drills with it, it has improved tremendously! Can't expect to be good at something that you don't practice...
Our VFL team took 8th place, so we have the last spot in the playoffs. We have a "no holds bar" attitude, and will be expecting us to play loose and fearless. Thus making us dangerous and a scary team to play! They always told me, "You never want to fight someone that has nothing to lose...because you don't know what to expect or how they will come out at you!"
EDITOR: Collingwood's American recruit, Shae McNamara, talks about playoff footy in the VFL (minor league) and the AFL. If you would like to ask Shae a question 
The reality TV show, 
US Revolution and Milwaukee Bomber, Dan Sarbacker, spent the summer in Australia playing for the Mansfield Eagles in the country Goulburn Valley league. Recently, he was selected into the senior side. 
EDITOR: Collingwood's American recruit, Shae McNamara, talks about playoff footy in the VFL (minor league) and the AFL. If you would like to ask Shae a question 