McNamara and Sharks now look to set up finals tiltSaturday, May 31, 2014 - 3:15 PM - by Chris Pike

JAMIE McNamara enjoyed his first chance to represent the WAFL in last week's State game in his first year back with East Fremantle but now he is determined to keep the Sharks in the finals hunt heading into Monday's Foundation Derby on WA Day at Fremantle Oval.

McNamara was one of four East Fremantle players to represent the WAFL in last Saturday's 85-point State match win over the NEAFL in Sydney as he was rewarded for his tremendous form back with the Sharks after spending the last two seasons in the VFL with Williamstown.

Now the Sharks head into the Foundation Derby against South Fremantle at Fremantle Oval on WA Day with a 4-4 record after an up and down opening to the season, and needing to win to stay right in touch with the top three teams, and the fourth-placed West Perth.

"We started the season off pretty well we thought but then had a few disappointing weeks there more recently, but we just managed to scrape over the line against Perth in our last match and we are looking to build off that now and get a spot in the top-four," McNamara said.

"These next four rounds are really crucial for us before we have a bye in late June. We have identified these next few games as being pivotal to set ourselves up for the whole season.

"We've had some really good clashes with South Fremantle in the past and it's a big day so hopefully we will get a really good turnout with the crowd. Hopefully the Sharks boys can get up, but we are really looking forward to the day and the game itself. It's always a big privilege to play in that game.

"In the past we have had some really tight contests but when it comes to a derby it just seems that the way it goes is that it doesn’t matter where you are on the ladder, it's just a matter of who is ready on the day and who is prepared to fight for it. Last time South got on top of us and they have been in good form recently so we do have to be on our game to get the four points."

Monday's game also doubles as the farewell appearance of Kris Miller as he plays his 150th match for South Fremantle after previously lining up 153 times for East Fremantle.

McNamara played with Miller at the Sharks early in his career after making his debut in 2006.

He had just that one season as Miller's teammate in the league side but both playing with and against him, he can't help but admire everything he has accomplished in what will be a 303-game career.

"It's been a remarkable career that he's had. I've got huge respect for Kris and what he's done. It's not easy having such a long WAFL career when you have your work commitments and you have to weigh up that work-life balance," he said.

"In certain respects it's even harder than having a long-term AFL career because you have to work 9-5 and then rock up to training three times a week. It is a big commitment so for Kris to do what he has done for such a long period of time is because he is a true professional and it's a real credit to him. I wish him all the best."

McNamara ended up with 17 possessions and eight marks in last Saturday's State game win over the NEAFL at Blacktown in Sydney along with his Sharks teammates Andrew Stephen, Steven Dodd and Tom Howlett.

The 26-year-old enjoyed the chance to play for WA for the first time and especially to get to go away with other players in the competition he usually only sees when playing against them.

"It was a really good result. The boys had a really good weekend away and we managed to gel really well as a team. It was an honour to play in the game and to play alongside some really good players in the competition. To then get the win on top of it was really good for WA," McNamara said.

"It was really good even just training with the boys during the week with the elite players in the competition, and seeing the quality of the training sessions and getting a good insight into the way those sort of guys prepare for a game. It was just a really good experience for myself and I was really honoured to pull on the jumper."

Having played 77 matches with East Fremantle on top of 19 games with the West Coast Eagles in the AFL, McNamara felt that at the end of 2011 he needed a bit of a fresh change both in life and football.

That took him to Melbourne the past two years where he enjoyed the lifestyle and the football in the VFL with Williamstown.

"I really enjoyed my time over there even the lifestyle of living in Melbourne was a really good experience. Williamstown is not unlike East Fremantle with a rich history as a football club and it was their 150th celebrations this year so they have an established tradition as a VFL club," McNamara said.

"The type of footy over there was a little bit different and it was good to experience how the game works over in Melbourne. It was just a good all-round experience to head over there and get a feel for football in Melbourne."