First American???

[Puppy Eyes]

Why are Collingwood claiming Macnamara as the first Seppo to play Australian Football at the highest level?


McNamara proud to be a football pioneer - AFL.com.au

[707]

He hasn't played a game of AFL yet ..... and may never do so!

What was Sanford Wheeler's heritage?

[goswannies]

He hasn't played a game of AFL yet ..... and may never do so!

What was Sanford Wheeler's heritage?

think he was born in the California and came over when he was about 5. they would argue that he was recruited not from America, but from an Australian club. Not sure whether he was an Australian citizen at the time when he was recruited. His dad was an Aussie. His mum (or should that be mom) African American. He lives and works in America now. We can call him the first African-American player with certainty

In fact, Don Pyke (West Coast) was also born in the US and made his debut in round 1 1989 (Sanford had to wait until round 6 of the same year making him the second US born player to play).

[laughingnome]

I think Collingwood is playing the Technicality Card in that he is the first International Rookie to be from the USA.

Or at least, that's what they'll say when someone inevitably corrects them.

[COBHC]

Who takes notice of Collingwood supporters anyway?

[CureTheSane]

We can call him the first African-American player with certainty

In fact, Don Pyke (West Coast) was also born in the US and made his debut in round 1 1989 (Sanford had to wait until round 6 of the same year making him the second US born player to play).

So Wheeler was never the first.
And it seems that the Wobbles actually have the first American recruit.
That sucks

[Primmy]

So Wheeler was never the first.
And it seems that the Wobbles actually have the first American recruit.
That sucks

Not really. Have you read the article? I do not wish to appear totally churlish, but......do you think he is on a mission from Gawd? The cheersquad will love him.

[ItsAllGoodes]

And eventially, when he fails and goes home...it will be Bye Bye Mr American Pie

[Triple B]

....Bye Bye Mr American Pie

'Drove my Lexus back to Texas leaving Eddie to cry...'

[goswannie14]

Just read the article, and, at the risk of being called a pedant, there is no mention of Collingwood making the claim that he is the first American to play AFL. It is the recruit who is making that claim.

[Primmy]

Just read the article, and, at the risk of being called a pedant, there is no mention of Collingwood making the claim that he is the first American to play AFL. It is the recruit who is making that claim.

My point exactly. I am thinking "tickets".

Oh and BBB you are on a role! Not back at work yet?

[j s]

Just read the article, and, at the risk of being called a pedant, there is no mention of Collingwood making the claim that he is the first American to play AFL. It is the recruit who is making that claim.

To be fair we also need to know what the questions were that he was responding to - probably something like "How does it feel to be the first American.....?" etc.

At this time of year the reporters are all looking for something (anything) to hang a story onto

[goswannie14]

To be fair we also need to know what the questions were that he was responding to - probably something like "How does it feel to be the first American.....?" etc.

At this time of year the reporters are all looking for something (anything) to hang a story onto

You're right JS. You just can't trust the journos. What they write and the facts are, at times, far removed from each other.

It is also easy for a journo to ask a loaded question so that he can get the angle that he wants.

[Reggi]

You're right JS. You just can't trust the journos. What they write and the facts are, at times, far removed from each other.

It is also easy for a journo to ask a loaded question so that he can get the angle that he wants.

As a note.

S&Don had a former NFL player Dwayne Armstrong in the 90S
Norff Melbourne tried a former Harlem Globetrotter in the 70s

Both did not work out, obviously