Eliza McNamara

{{Quote box

| quote = She'll get hit, knocked over and bounces straight back up and does not flinch at anything so, yeah, she's a little weapon who's worked so, so hard.

| source = Daisy Pearce, Melbourne captain

| width = 20%

| align = left

}}

McNamara initially grew up playing basketball{{cite news|last=Williams|first=Peter|title=Determined McNamara follows footy pathway|url=https://afl.draftcentral.com.au/2020/10/04/determined-mcnamara-follows-footy-pathway/|work=Aussie Rules Draft Central|date=4 October 2020|access-date=13 April 2021}} before picking up football at the age of twelve, playing for the Ashburton United Junior Football Club{{cite news|last=Moorhouse|first=Lachie|title=Eliza McNamara: Making Lemonade|url=https://www.sandringhamdragons.com.au/players/eliza-mcnamara-making-lemonade|work=Sandringham Dragons|access-date=13 April 2021}} and the East Malvern Football Club. She grew up idolising {{AFLW|Mel}} captain Daisy Pearce and {{AFLW|WB}} premiership player Bonnie Toogood, as well as Australian Olympic gold medallist Cathy Freeman.{{cite web|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=10 questions with ... Demon Eliza McNamara|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/75800/10-questions-with-demon-eliza-mcnamara|work=womens.afl|date=14 November 2021|access-date=15 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115012432/https://www.womens.afl/news/75800/10-questions-with-demon-eliza-mcnamara|archive-date=November 15, 2021}}

McNamara played under-18s football for the Sandringham Dragons in the NAB League Girls,{{cite web|last=Sheehan|first=Kevin|title=Talent ambassador Kevin Sheehan reveals his top draft prospects|url=https://womens.afl/news/52333/talent-ambassador-kevin-sheehan-reveals-his-top-draft-prospects|work=womens.afl|date=1 October 2020|accessdate=30 January 2021}} averaging 17 disposals and six tackles in three matches before the season was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally an inside midfielder, she made the switch to become an outside midfielder after suffering a serious concussion playing for Sandringham in 2019. When the Victorian draft combine was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions and players were forced to run their own two-kilometre time trials, McNamara recorded an unofficial time of 6:59, which would have beaten the record set by {{AFLW|Gee}} midfielder Nina Morrison (7:14) if run under combine conditions.{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=DIY time trials: The Victorian Combine with a difference|url=https://womens.afl/news/52151/diy-time-trials-the-victorian-combine-with-a-difference|work=womens.afl|date=29 September 2020|accessdate=30 January 2021}}{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Sarah Black's 2020 Phantom Draft: Late mail, your club's whispers|url=https://womens.afl/news/52583/sarah-black-s-2020-phantom-draft-late-mail-your-club-s-whispers|work=womens.afl|date=6 October 2020|accessdate=30 January 2021}}{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Your club's draft: All you need to know about the 57 new faces|url=https://womens.afl/news/52596/your-club-s-draft-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-57-new-faces|work=womens.afl|date=7 October 2020|accessdate=30 January 2021}}

File:Eliza McNamara tackling (cropped).jpg

McNamara was drafted by {{AFLW|Mel}} with its second selection and fifteenth overall in the 2020 AFL Women's draft.{{cite news|title=RECAP: Who went where? Every pick as it happened in historic draft|url=https://womens.afl/news/52590/recap-who-went-where-every-pick-as-it-happened-in-historic-draft|work=womens.afl|date=6 October 2020|accessdate=30 January 2021}}{{cite news|last1=Walsh|first1=Liz|last2=Wood|first2=Lauren|title=AFLW Draft: See every pick and see how Sarah Perkins rebooted her career|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/aflw/aflw-draft-2020-the-top-prospects-no-1-pick-contenders-draft-order-and-where-to-watch/live-coverage/a4016d0052054035f8f11485a25e2d70|work=Herald Sun|date=9 October 2020|accessdate=30 January 2021}} On her first day of pre-season, she won the club's two-kilometre time trial ahead of regular winner Karen Paxman, again running in under seven minutes.{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Time trials: Demons draftee torches new teammates, Docker dominates again|url=https://womens.afl/news/53074/time-trials-demons-draftee-torches-new-teammates-docker-dominates-again|work=womens.afl|date=9 November 2020|accessdate=30 January 2021}}{{cite news|last=Gibson|first=Ben|title=McNamara shines in time trial, as unique pre-season begins|url=https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/834138/mcnamara-shines-in-time-trial-as-unique-pre-season-begins|work=melbournefc.com.au|date=7 November 2020|accessdate=30 January 2021}} Melbourne captain Daisy Pearce described McNamara as "one of the toughest people I've ever played with" in the lead-up to her first game.{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title='One of the toughest I've played with': Pearce's praise for Dees draftee|url=https://womens.afl/news/57211/-one-of-the-toughest-i-ve-played-with-pearce-s-praise-for-dees-draftee|work=womens.afl|date=30 January 2021|access-date=30 January 2021}} McNamara made her AFL Women's debut in Melbourne's 21-point win over {{AFLW|GC}} at Metricon Stadium in round 1 of the 2021 season, and was named among the Demons' best players with 18 disposals.{{cite news|last=Whiting|first=Michael|title=Second-quarter blitz helps Dees punish ill-disciplined Suns|url=https://womens.afl/news/57420/second-quarter-blitz-helps-dees-punish-ill-disciplined-suns|work=womens.afl|date=30 January 2021|accessdate=30 January 2021}}{{cite news|last=Hope|first=Shayne|title=Paxman stars in Demons' AFLW win over Suns|url=https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/paxman-stars-in-demons-aflw-win-over-suns-c-2060050|work=Seven News|date=30 January 2021|accessdate=30 January 2021}} She received a nomination for the 2021 AFL Women's Rising Star award in round 7 after recording 16 disposals and five tackles in Melbourne's win over {{AFLW|Ade}}.{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Rising Star, R7: Running Demon, Suns ruck make the grade|url=https://womens.afl/news/66808/rising-star-r7-running-demon-suns-ruck-make-the-grade|work=womens.afl|date=16 March 2021|access-date=16 March 2021}} McNamara suffered a concussion after colliding with Adelaide captain Chelsea Randall in the first quarter of Melbourne's preliminary final loss to Adelaide, which would have ruled her out of playing in the grand final the following week had Melbourne progressed.{{cite news|last=Michael|first=Luke|title=Crows head to another Grand Final, but skipper will miss|url=https://womens.afl/news/69881/crows-head-to-another-grand-final-but-skipper-will-miss|work=womens.afl|date=10 April 2021|access-date=13 April 2021}}{{cite news|last=Waterworth|first=Ben|title=Grand final heartbreak: Crows officially rule out star skipper Chelsea Randall for AFLW decider|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/womens-afl/aflw-grand-final-2021-chelsea-randall-concussion-ruled-out-of-adelaide-crows-vs-brisbane-lions-clash/news-story/338146632d032e6cd86b1fdf74f652da|work=Fox Sports (Australia)|date=12 April 2021|access-date=13 April 2021}}{{cite news|last=O'Halloran|first=Kate|title=AFL's concussion crisis comes to a head as AFLW heavyweights get set for season decider|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-12/afl-aflw-grand-final-concussion-crisis-comes-to-a-head/100062088|work=ABC News|date=12 April 2021|access-date=13 April 2021}}

File:Eliza McNamara S7 grand final (cropped).jpg

On the opening day of the season 6 pre-season, McNamara again finished first in Melbourne's two-kilometre time trial.{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Time trials: Full steam ahead for G-Train, Blue's impressive comeback|url=https://womens.afl/news/74151/time-trials-full-steam-ahead-for-g-train-blue-s-impressive-comeback|work=womens.afl|date=4 October 2021|access-date=5 October 2021}}{{cite news|last=Nobes|first=Caitlin|title=The Tan hosts time trial on night one of AFLW pre-season|url=https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1022894/the-tan-hosts-time-trial-on-night-one-of-aflw-pre-season|work=melbournefc.com.au|date=1 October 2021|access-date=5 October 2021}} She was forced to miss Melbourne's round 1 match against the {{AFLW|WB}} due to the AFL's health and safety protocols,{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Injury update: Who's in your club's medical room|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/79715/injury-update-who-s-in-your-club-s-medical-room|work=womens.afl|date=13 January 2022|access-date=13 January 2022}}{{cite news|last=Bastiani|first=Gemma|title=FRIDAY TEAMS: Five changes apiece with BIG outs for Dees, Tigers|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/79795/friday-teams-five-changes-apiece-with-big-outs-for-dees-tigers|work=womens.afl|date=13 January 2022|access-date=13 January 2022}} playing her first match of the year the following week against {{AFLW|Ric}}. She was named Melbourne's best player in its loss to Adelaide in round 4, leading Melbourne for disposals with a career-high 22,{{cite news|last=Schmook|first=Nathan|title=Electric Erin gives Demons a rude shock as Crows continue dream run|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/82505/electric-erin-gives-demons-a-rude-shock-as-crows-continue-dream-run|work=womens.afl|date=29 January 2022|access-date=30 January 2022}} and was among Melbourne's best players in its win over Brisbane in round 7.{{cite news|last=Whiting|first=Michael|title=Harris stands tall as Demons edge Lions in dramatic finish|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/86691/harris-stands-tall-as-demons-edge-lions-in-dramatic-finish|work=womens.afl|date=21 February 2022|access-date=22 February 2022}} McNarama was one of four Melbourne players named in the initial 40-woman squad for that season's AFL Women's 22under22 team.{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Leading the pack: Five Lions named in 22under22 squad|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/90840/leading-the-pack-five-lions-named-in-22under22-squad|work=womens.afl|date=15 March 2022|access-date=2 April 2022}} She kicked a goal and was among Melbourne's best players in its preliminary final win over Brisbane, as Melbourne progressed to the 2022 AFL Women's season 6 Grand Final, its first grand final appearance.{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=DEE DAY: Melbourne defeats reigning premier to book maiden GF spot|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/91862/dee-day-melbourne-defeats-reigning-premier-to-book-maiden-gf-spot|work=womens.afl|date=2 April 2022|access-date=2 April 2022}}

In July, McNamara was ruled out of season seven after fracturing the lumbar region of her spine in a training accident,{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Season over for Dees young gun after training mishap|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/95891/season-over-for-dees-young-gun-after-training-mishap|work=womens.afl|date=18 July 2022|access-date=18 July 2022}} which would require a "serious, year-long (rehabilitation)",{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title='Year-long' rehab road ahead for McNamara after back fracture|url=https://www.womens.afl/news/96014/-year-long-rehab-road-ahead-for-mcnamara-after-back-fracture|work=womens.afl|date=25 July 2022|access-date=1 December 2022}} and caused her to miss Melbourne's season 7 premiership win.{{cite news|last=Bilton|first=Dean|title=Melbourne outlasts Brisbane Lions in AFLW grand final to claim historic premiership|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-27/aflw-grand-final-melbourne-beats-brisbane-lions/101700852|website=ABC News|date=27 November 2022|access-date=1 December 2022}}

McNamara played her first game since her spine injury in Melbourne's win over {{AFLW|Col}} in round 1 of the 2023 season.{{cite news|last=Pavlou|first=Anna|title=Melbourne's premiership defence begins in glittering fashion|url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/afl/news-2023-aflw-round-one-melbourne-defeat-collingwood-in-strong-fashion-as-alyssa-bannan-stars/cd8b12bf-0d11-45a4-bb91-e1938b663aaf|work=Nine's Wide World of Sports|date=1 September 2023|access-date=1 September 2023}}

In 2024, McNamara was named among Melbourne's best players in its win over Geelong in round 1.{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=New-look Dees fight off late Cats challenge to snatch victory|url=https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/1208283/new-look-melbourne-demons-fight-off-late-geelong-cats-challenge-to-snatch-victory|website=afl.com.au|date=31 August 2024|access-date=31 August 2024}}

Updated to the end of the 2024 season.{{cite web|title=Eliza McNamara – player stats by season|url=https://australianfootball.com/players/playerseason/Eliza+McNamara/21021|publisher=Australian Football|access-date=31 August 2024}}

{{Australian rules football statistics legend}}

{{AFLW player statistics start}}

|-

| 2021 || {{AFLW|Mel}} || 22

| 11 || 2 || 2 || 90 || 28 || 118 || 16 || 30 || 0.2 || 0.2 || 8.2 || 2.5 || 10.7 || 1.5 || 2.7 || 0

|-

| 2022 (S6) || {{AFLW|Mel}} || 22

| 11 || 2 || 1 || 102 || 55 || 157 || 32 || 39 || 0.2 || 0.1 || 9.3 || 5.0 || 14.3 || 2.9 || 3.5 || 0

|-

| 2022 (S7) || {{AFLW|Mel}} || 22

| 0 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 0

|-

| 2023 || {{AFLW|Mel}} || 22

| 12 || 3 || 4 || 130 || 54 || 184 || 32 || 42 || 0.3 || 0.3 || 10.8 || 4.5 || 15.3 || 2.7 || 3.5 || 0

|-

| 2024 || {{AFLW|Mel}} || 22

| 10 || 1 || 0 || 148 || 74 || 222 || 36 || 55 || 0.1 || 0.0 || 14.8 || 7.4 || 22.2 || 3.6 || 5.5 || 1

|- class=sortbottom

! colspan=3 | Career

! 44 !! 8 !! 7 !! 470 !! 211 !! 681 !! 116 !! 166 !! 0.2 !! 0.2 !! 10.7 !! 4.8 !! 15.5 !! 2.6 !! 3.8 !! 1

|}

Team

• McClelland Trophy ({{AFLW|Mel}}): 2023

Individual

• AFL Women's Rising Star nominee: 2021

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Melbplayer|3599/Eliza-McNamara}}
• {{AustralianFootball|ref=Eliza+McNamara/21021}}
• {{Instagram|id=elizamac__}}

{{Melbourne AFL Women's player squad}}

{{2021 AFL Women's Rising Star nominees}}

{{2020 AFL Women's draft}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:McNamara, Eliza}}

Category:Living people

Category:2002 births

Category:Melbourne Football Club (AFLW) players

Category:Australian rules footballers from Victoria (state)

Category:Sandringham Dragons players