I felt Tom showed he had the makings of a very good footballer today, I feel he can develop into a very versatile player,a pich hit ruckman , however a Centre half back seems his go.

Looked very comfortable, did a lot of good things defenively and moves pretty damn fast for his size. Only his first game but there is already a lot to like.

Looked to kick the ball pretty well too, which we need on our back half. Seems to have a decent grasp on kicking the ball to advantage.

Was really composed, a cool calm head deep in defense. Rarely beaten and almost had a little bit of Dustin Fletcher about him. Very impressive debut and looks a real find.

No surprises from him.

Seamlessly transferred his VFL form to AFL level.

Very handy player, young Tom.

He looks a good prospect.

If we've found a key defender our backline will be very good.

I felt Tom showed he had the makings of a very good footballer today, I feel he can develop into a very versatile player,a pich hit ruckman , however a Centre half back seems his go.

Yep, I agree JCB.

He did one or two little things which looked good. He was a bit overpowered by the bigger fellas, but looked OK in general field play.

I hope we bring him back to Casey now, as he's Not quite ready yet, and he's had a taste. He needs to build up over summer without getting smashed next week. Finals footy with Casey I think is just right for where he's at right now.

his spoiling was immaculate!

What a beast, loved his work today, only early and against some weak forwards but couldnt have done much more today imo

Looked good, not sure if he'll be able to get a permanent gig while Frawley, Rivers and Garland are around, but he looked at ease out there. Impressive debut.

We seem to have a knack of producing kids who star in their first game.

Edited August 28, 201114 yr by Sylvia Saint

really good debut by the big guy. seemed quite attacking and made good choices. was found out a bit deep towards goal but overall I reckon the coaches would be happy with his game.

Would be nice to develop a genuinely big key defender, in fact it's vital for us as Frawley and Garland time and again have shown they can play on smalls and talls.

Also hearing Davis played a great game for Casey, so it is promising for our key position stocks.

A promising debut from Tom. Cool under pressure and made good decisions.

Looked good, not sure if he'll be able to get a permanent gig while Frawley, Rivers and Garland are around

I disagree. Frawley and Garland can play on mediums/smalls so I don't see that as an impediment.

With forwards getting taller and taller, like the raft of 200cm KPPs at the Suns, taller defenders like McDonald will be crucial.

Having Frawley and Garland able to play on medium or small sized forwards will be a luxury.

I disagree. Frawley and Garland can play on mediums/smalls so I don't see that as an impediment.

Exactly.

Besides, you can never have too many good tall defenders.

McDonland played a hell of a lot better than Frawley and Garland did in their first seasons.

It was an excellent debut, and I was particularly impressed with how cool and calm he was under pressure. Great signs for the future!

Hmmmmm, I think he will always be behind frawley, garland and rivers.

A long way off our best 22.

Hmmmmm, I think he will always be behind frawley, garland and rivers.

A long way off our best 22.

Yeah, but you wanna recruit Fev.

Clever.

Yeah, but you wanna recruit Fev.

Clever.

You can't compare the two. One is a proven champion, the other has played one game.

Clever? Hmmmmm, I wonder about the 50% of you that have never got unruly on a night out with the boys after a big game. Some of you sound like you have never lived.

Hmmmmm, I think he will always be behind frawley, garland and rivers.

A long way off our best 22.

This post should be revisited when he plays his 100th game

Fev's not a champion, he's a boofhead.

You can't compare the two. One is a proven champion, the other has played one game.

Clever? Hmmmmm, I wonder about the 50% of you that have never got unruly on a night out with the boys after a big game. Some of you sound like you have never lived.

You wonder?

Only a simple mind would make an assumption like that.

Back on topic.

Tom MacDonald allows a bloke like Garland to play on a mid-sized forward, and exploit him with his strengths.

Hmmmmm, I think he will always be behind frawley, garland and rivers.

A long way off our best 22.

No, really? A kid in his first game is way off our best 22? GTFO!

I think McDonald will comfortably overtake Rivers in a couple of years, and he is a completely different player to both Garland and Frawley, which as pointed out earlier, can play on smaller opponents.

The less actual defending Frawley has to do the better, because we can utilise him quite well in that very attaching half back flanker role which he is so good at. Same goes for Garland.

Our backline is quite honestly the only part of our structure I don't want to blow up and start again.

You wonder?

Only a simple mind would make an assumption like that.

Back on topic.

Tom MacDonald allows a bloke like Garland to play on a mid-sized forward, and exploit him with his strengths.

Ok genius, then where do you play grimes, bartram, nicholspn, blease, tapscott, Strauss, j. McDonald, bennell and warnock.

Edited August 28, 201114 yr by tonatopia

Ok genius, then where do you play grimes, bartram, blease, tapscott, Strauss, j. McDonald, bennell and warnock.

Grimes - HBF/off the bench

Blease HBF

Tapscott HFF

Bartram - fringe player/used as a tagger

Strauss - fringe player, used as back up in case of injury

J. MacDonald - as above

Bennell - fringe player, can be used off the bench

Warnock - delisted

Grimes - HBF/off the bench

Blease HBF

Tapscott HFF

Bartram - fringe player/used as a tagger

Strauss - fringe player, used as back up in case of injury

J. MacDonald - as above

Bennell - fringe player, can be used off the bench

Warnock - delisted

You forgot Nicholson.

Bartram is a hard bp/tagged and a very good player.

Bennell has HUGE upside

Blease will be a gun

Grimes is a gun

Tapscott played his best footy for MFC in the backline.

Tom McDonald, I don't think he has enough to be included in our best 22 until someone retires or gets injured.