{"id":180614,"date":"2025-02-18T14:59:57","date_gmt":"2025-02-18T04:59:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=180614"},"modified":"2025-02-18T14:59:59","modified_gmt":"2025-02-18T04:59:59","slug":"preseason-qa-kaiden-mcnamara-swans-academy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2025\/02\/18\/preseason-qa-kaiden-mcnamara-swans-academy\/","title":{"rendered":"Preseason Q&A: Kaiden McNamara (Swans Academy)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

SYDNEY Swans Academy member Kaiden McNamara<\/a> enters his top-age campaign alongside a raft of highly touted teammates. The defender, who fell in love with footy after starting out in Rugby League, as a New South Wales representative last year and is looking to crack into the Allies squad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We spoke to McNamara at the Swans’ preseason testing event on Saturday.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

>> AFL DRAFT:<\/strong> Northern Academy prospects pick their breakout contenders<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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PRESEASON Q&A<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Q: Kaiden, what are some of your earliest memories of football?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KM:<\/strong> In Year 5 I tried out for a Sydney North team, just hoping to get a day off school because I was a big [Rugby League] boy. I ended up making that team, went to the carnival and fell in love with the sport. So I quit League and played AFL the year after and haven’t gone back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: How many years have you been in the Swans Academy?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KM:<\/strong> I think this is the third year now that I\u2019ve been with the Academy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Have you had any mentors along the way who have really helped you with your footy?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KM:<\/strong> Definitely. I think Colin (O\u2019Riordan)<\/em><\/strong> has definitely been a big one coming into this year, my draft year. He’s helped me out a lot. My coaches back on the Central Coast, Chris Bishop<\/em><\/strong> and Mike Bailey<\/em><\/strong>, they’ve all helped me a lot and really shaped and taught me about the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>> NATIONAL CHAMPS:<\/strong> Why the 2025 Allies can repeat history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Being from further North, what has the travel been like for you between there and Sydney?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KM:<\/strong> Normally I go twice a week for training, which is an hour and a half drive here, an hour and a half drive back. It gets pretty full on, plus travel for games in Melbourne and Sydney and whatnot, so it\u2019s a lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: How has your preseason been?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KM:<\/strong> Preseason\u2019s been good. I’ve been out with a concussion for a bit of it, but apart from that, I’ve just loved getting around all the new boys coming up and it’s been lots of fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Will you be back in time for the Summer Series?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KM:<\/strong> Yeah, I’ll be back for Summer Series. I got back last Thursday so I\u2019m back into the swing of things, feeling really good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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McNamara gives chase for the Swans Academy last year | Image Credit: Rob Lawson\/AFL Photos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Q: How would you describe yourself as a player? <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KM:<\/strong> I’d describe myself as a medium defender who can intercept mark and attack, help out with offence and really lock down in defence as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What are some of the things you\u2019re looking to improve?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KM:<\/strong> I\u2019m definitely working on my kicking percentage, so making sure my disposal [efficiency] is a lot better. And definitely my leadership and coming off the ball a lot more for handball receives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Who are some of the teammates you’re looking forward to playing alongside this year?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KM:<\/strong> Definitely Noah Chamberlain<\/a>. Just that link-up up forward with him and Max King<\/a>. It’s always a pleasure seeing them coming towards me. Also, Lachlan Carmichael<\/a>. Same position as me, I just love working alongside him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>> Race to #1:<\/strong> Noah Chamberlain<\/a> | Max King<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Are you a Swans supporter?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KM:<\/strong> Yeah, I love the Swannies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Are there any players you look up to and try to mould your game on?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KM:<\/strong> Nick Blakey<\/strong>, I try to shape my game around him a lot. Especially with his defence, and then his transition into offence as well. I think it’s really impressive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Do you have any goals set up for the year?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KM:<\/strong> I think I just want to play every game of Coates League and be injury free throughout the year. I want to play in the Allies squad and then hopefully get in that combine and ultimately be drafted by the end of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Is there anyone you think we should look out for to have a big year?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KM:<\/strong> Noah Chamberlain<\/strong>. I must say, I think he’s had one of the best preseasons I’ve ever seen. His work ethic is just unbelievable. So definitely keep an eye out for him, especially on TikTok as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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