The Gold Coast product met former Bomber Scott Beattie and Farran Priest overseas and was quickly convinced to head down to the Murray River and play country football — a challenge the 24-year-old leapt at.
‘‘I’ve been here for four years now, I was originally from the Gold Coast, but I met a couple of players overseas, they said ‘come and have a kick’, so I did,’’ McNamara said.
‘‘Now I’ve just stuck around really.’’
While he traded in permanent warmth for frosty mornings, McNamara has settled in as a permanent Echuca resident — and Murray Bomber.
‘‘It’s good, it gets a bit tough over winter where it’s 24C every day back home. I guess I’ve acclimatised now, so it’s not too bad,’’ he said.
‘‘I’ve been working around a few pubs and all that sort of stuff, but I’m at NAB now permanently. I just wanted a normal job, Monday to Friday, I’ve settled in there and it’s good.’’
And now he is a part of one of the league’s most successful clubs, one seemingly poised to launch an all-out assault on the Goulburn Valley League come September, with strength in each grade.
‘‘It’s going well and all three grades are going really well, so it’s competitive for spots and that’s what you want,’’ McNamara said.
‘‘That’s what makes a club successful and you’ve got the thirds going well with them all pushing up as well, so it’s a good vibe around the club.’’
—Alex Mitchell