2003
In his first season of football with Essendon, McPhee played every game. The 21-year-old slotted straight into the team and played with maturity beyond his young years. McPhee was used predominantly across the wing, but also played forward and back at stages of the season. He starred in Round 10 against West Coast when he booted four goals for the match. His work ethic is second to none and his hardness at the ball and the opposition has become the major asset of his game. Winning the Most Courageous Player Award at the Crichton Medal was a testament to this.
STRENGTHS
McPhee is Kevin Sheedy’s ideal player – he is tough and courageous and not afraid to put his body on the line. McPhee is one of the hardest trainers at the club and is a true professional in the way he approaches his football. His 187cm frame and athleticism means he can hold down a number of positions on the field and is able to match it with medium sized players as well as run with smaller, speedy players.
POSITION
One of McPhee’s main strengths and the reason why he has fitted so well into the Essendon team, is that he can effectively play a number of positions. In 2003 he played on the wing and across half-back and also showed he can float forward and kick goals. McPhee is the type of player you can get to do a job on a key opposition player and you can rest assured he will be hot on his trail all game and he will have to earn every possession.
2004
At just 21-years of age, McPhee has a big playing future ahead of him. He plays with a maturity and poise well beyond his young years. In his first season of footy with Essendon he has already displayed leadership qualities and proved he will do whatever it takes to make it. His hard at it style of play has already won him many fans and he will be a key to the Bombers’ success in 2004. Expect a big season from McPhee!
WHAT SHEEDY SAYS
Adam is a player that we have to make sure plays up to a standard that he showed in his first year at the club. I am hoping he will also improve – I don’t want him to drop back at all. We have come out of the aftermath of clearing players quite well. The fans noticed in the second half of last season that Damian Cupido and McPhee have been good players for us.
Adam is a player that could be a Mark Harvey for us. Mark ended up going from forward line to the backline, to become an established player. People forget that McPhee is only 21, so he is a very, very young player and we are hoping for a lot of improvement from him.
