The Air Mauritius poll, situated at the bottom of the fremantlefc.com.au homepage has six unforgettable Shaun McManus moments to pick from. Here is a brief overview of those memorable McManus moments.
1. Making his AFL/FFC debut – Round 5, 1995 v Footscray at Western Oval
It was a grey Melbourne day on Saturday 29 April 1995 when Shaun made his debut for Fremantle against the Bulldogs at the now Whitten Oval. The long haired 19 year old collected 14 possessions, 5 marks and 2 tackles in front of a mere 16,800 spectators. The dream debut was not to be however, with the Bulldogs scraping home by two points.
2. Captaincy in 2000 – 2001
Shaun was given co-captaincy duties along with Adrian Fletcher for the 2000 and 2001 seasons. So impressed was then coach Damien Drum with Shaun’s resilience, commitment and drive to overcome two knee reconstructions in 1998 and 1999 that Drum saw the potential in Shaun to captain his side. Peter Bell took the reigns as Fremantle’s skipper in 2002 but Shaun’s leadership on and off the field still remained and to this day he is viewed by team mates and supporters as the ‘heart and soul’ of Fremantle.
3. 200th AFL game – Round 5, 2007 v Adelaide at Subiaco Oval
Fremantle were committed to giving Shaun a 200th milestone celebration he wouldn’t forget and that was just what they delivered when they defeated Adelaide by the barest of margins last year. In a low scoring and rain affected affair, a Luke Webster snap in the closing seconds of the final term grazed the post to give Fremantle a lead they weren’t prepared to give up. When the siren sounded Subiaco Oval erupted and Fremantle players rushed straight to Shaun to share the celebration with him. Steven Dodd handed Shaun the game ball before the 31 year old was chaired off the ground by Paul Hasleby and James Walker. Demonstrating Shaun’s popularity amongst members and supporters, the Freo faithful stayed in their seats long after the game ended to ensure they gave Shaun a rousing ovation as he left the field.
4. Second most career games for Fremantle (228) behind Shane Parker
When Shane Parker hung up the boots late in Season 2007, Shaun would become the lone inaugural squad member from 1995 to play on in 2008 for Fremantle. By the time the final siren sounds on Sunday afternoon, Shaun will have played 228 AFL matches for Fremantle, including all four of Fremantle’s finals games, and 22 out of a possible 28 Carlton Mid Derbies.
5. Overcoming two knee reconstructions
Round 3, 1997 – the opponent: West Coast. Trying to change direction in the north-west pocket of Subiaco Oval caused Shaun to rupture his left anterior cruciate ligament. The injury immediately ended his 1997 campaign. As he watched his team mates continue on with Fremantle’s third season in the AFL, Shaun commenced his rehabilitation in a bid to be fully recovered in time for the start of the 1998 season. He made his return in round one of that year but would only last five more matches before suffering a recurrence of the injury against Port Adelaide in round 6, 1998.
“The first time I did my knee, it wasn’t too bad,” Shaun said at his press conference for his 200th AFL game last year.
“I thought I could overcome it strongly and it wouldn’t be a problem in the future. But after the second (reconstruction) I certainly had doubts about my ability to play at the AFL level for a significant amount of time.”
Any doubts he had about being able to play at AFL level for a significant amount of time following the recurrence of the injury in round 6, 1998 will be long forgotten as it will be 10 years, 3 months and 1 day since the injury come this Sunday afternoon.
6. Kicking a goal after being collected by David Wirrpunda in 2001
One of the most popular highlights in use by WA’s broadcast media outlets this week is the bone rattling hit on Shaun by West Coast’s David Wirrpunda in 2001. Bravely running back with the flight of the ball into the attacking 50, Shaun was left lying motionless after Wirrpunda launched himself into Fremantle’s No. 8, executing a solid hit. After taking a few moments to regain his breath and composure, Shaun went back and kicked truly from his free kick to give Fremantle the lead before being emphatically embraced by Peter Bell and Clive Waterhouse.
Shaun saw the funny side of that moment at his press conference on Monday as he recounted the advice he was offered as he lay on the ground after the hit.
“I didn’t know what exactly had happened but Clive Waterhouse came up to me and said, ‘stay down I’ll take the kick.’”
Vote now on your most memorable Shaun McManus moment on the Air Mauritius poll, which is located at the bottom of the fremantlefc.com.au homepage!
