2011 Player Review - # 28 Joel Macdonald

[Demonland 73,884]

A handy defender who can play both tall and small, Macdonald had an up and down season interrupted by injury in mid season.

Games MFC 2011 10 MFC Total 27 Goals MFC 2011 0 MFC Total 6

Games CSFC 2011 7 Goals CSFC 2011 0

[monoccular 17,700]

One would have to say that pressure on delistings, and other defensive options including but not only the likes of Tom MacDonald, Joel may well be on his way.

Thanks though for filling in pretty adequately when you were needed.

[Chook 15,023]

I seem to rate him higher than most people here. I'd put him in the team before Bartram, regardless of size match-ups.

[Nasher 33,617]

I seem to rate him higher than most people here. I'd put him in the team before Bartram, regardless of size match-ups.

That's faint praise, though. It's less about which fringe plodders he's ahead of more about which solid best 22 players he's ahead of, and I'd say none of them.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Agree. Honest but borderline. Warming a spot for others. If we need to clear space on the list beeing OOC and fringe is not a good combo.

[Deeoldfart 8,165]

IMO there are a number of things to like about Joel, especially his work ethic, blind courage and strength in the contests. He is a limited footballer, but gives his all every time he is out on the park. Unfortunately, his attributes are offset by below average skill execution and too many brain fades. I think he was probably recruited as a 'stop-gap' in defence, but I doubt that we still need him in that capacity. He had another honest and serviceable year for the Dees.

[Yoda 33]

Hard to pot a guy who has a genuine crack every time he takes the field but a good Melbourne side won't have room for him in it.

[Sir Why You Little 37,342]

I agree with Yoda above....He has a genuine "crack" each time he plays & for that reason i would keep him for 2012.

Beyond that..his form will dictate.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

So would you get rid of Maric and Wonna instead WYL? We need to get rid of 3 players.

BTW, Simon Godfrey had a real crack to but.......

[Lutz 76]

Joel MacDonald should be first to go.

[Sir Why You Little 37,342]

So would you get rid of Maric and Wonna instead WYL? We need to get rid of 3 players.

BTW, Simon Godfrey had a real crack to but.......

Who has a better crack each game...joel, wonna or maric?

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Who has a better crack each game...joel, wonna or maric?

Its irrelevant, They are all not good enough and each one has to go.

If you want to keep him, whose contract do you pay out? Given what that would cost MFC, JoelMac is not worth it.

[Sir Why You Little 37,342]

Its irrelevant, They are all not good enough and each one has to go.

If you want to keep him, whose contract do you pay out? Given what that would cost MFC, JoelMac is not worth it.

They are all borderline yes, but for season 2012 i would keep Joel because of his mature body. We still lack defensive size at this point.

[Nasher 33,617]

They are all borderline yes, but for season 2012 i would keep Joel because of his mature body. We still lack defensive size at this point.

There's not a lot of point in keeping him if he won't play much.

[Sir Why You Little 37,342]

There's not a lot of point in keeping him if he won't play much.

That's been decided has it?

[Nasher 33,617]

That's been decided has it?

No, but it must surely be in doubt. Are we really that much better off playing Joel Macdonald ahead of, for example, Tom McDonald? It really depends on what role the coach thinks he can play, but I can't think of any roles where we're better off with Macdonald over one of the younger players on our list, and he's clearly behind the seniors in Frawley, Garland and Rivers.

[Sir Why You Little 37,342]

No, but it must surely be in doubt. Are we really that much better off playing Joel Macdonald ahead of, for example, Tom McDonald? It really depends on what role the coach thinks he can play, but I can't think of any roles where we're better off with Macdonald over one of the younger players on our list, and he's clearly behind the seniors in Frawley, Garland and Rivers.

Point taken, but with one injury down back and he will be missed. That's my main reason. I think he could still get some games.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Point taken, but with one injury down back and he will be missed. That's my main reason. I think he could still get some games.

Who does JoelMac adequately cover when a player? He does not adequately cover Frawley, Rivers or Garland and cant play the small defender. We still have Davis and TomMcD to bring in as well as playing Tapscott, Grimes and Strauss.

I dont think we can retain him just for "depth". So who else would you cut?

[Sir Why You Little 37,342]

Who does JoelMac adequately cover when a player? He does not adequately cover Frawley, Rivers or Garland and cant play the small defender. We still have Davis and TomMcD to bring in as well as playing Tapscott, Grimes and Strauss.

I dont think we can retain him just for "depth". So who else would you cut?

To be honest Rhino i am not sure who goes. It's a very tough decision to be made.

But with both Strauss & Grimes coming off long term leg/foot injuries to delist a mature age body like Macdonald from our defence is a risky move in my eyes.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

We have to make cuts and that is the challenge. You have to punt on Strauss and Grimes back for at least some part of 2012. I think they are both better for MFC than playing a fringe player. Interesting one.

[Sir Why You Little 37,342]

We have to make cuts and that is the challenge. You have to punt on Strauss and Grimes back for at least some part of 2012. I think they are both better for MFC than playing a fringe player. Interesting one.

I agree, but i also worry that James broken leg which is similiar to Nathan Brown's it will take him a long time to get back to 100% This is where Dave Misson could really help us. Our defence still worries me greatly against good sides, so he has a really solid challenge.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Agree about Strauss but I cant see how the addition of a fringe player for another preferred player provides any mitigation of your concerns about defence. Its against good sides that your weakest or fringe players get exposed/found out.

[Sir Why You Little 37,342]

Agree about Strauss but I cant see how the addition of a fringe player for another preferred player provides any mitigation of your concerns about defence. Its against good sides that your weakest or fringe players get exposed/found out.

If Joel Mac is delisted his replacement will be another newbie. That isn't always a bad thing, but when Grimes and Strauss are factored in it is a worry. Many Demon supporters see Frank Grimes as a future Captain & Legend. I just want to see him play some consecutive games.

I bet this problem is being discussed right now at Demon HQ. There are good arguements for & against.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

I think Petterd will struggle for a spot up forward. He may be played back. They could use Tom McD and Garland to cover along the HBL.

I am not sure what gap JoelMac appropriately as a fringe player. I understand from a sage posterr that with Maric gone, we need to get rid of one more? Wonna or JoelMac?

Whoever survives the next cut will depend on whether we have a target in the PSD.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Macdonald is and will be for a number of years much better than Strauss (even without a broken leg).

Hard as nails, breaks the lines, uses the ball pretty well (much better than say Bartram), has good hands and provides genuine toughness down back.