2011 Player Review - # 28 Joel Macdonald

[Sir Why You Little 36,990]

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.

Which is exactly why it is going to be a very tough decision to call.

[Jesse Christ 2,884]

If we cut Jmac before Newton I'm going to go apeshit!

We need all the mature bodies we can get. Jmac is a mature body who hardens our backline and he's a goer. Will definitely be needed now that Warnock is gone as insurance at the least!

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Newton is on the rookie list and is not fighting for a similar position.

Warnock only covered Rivers barely, He is no insurance for Frawley Garland and others.

We need hard bodies that can play football to an acceptable standard.

[Lutz 76]

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.

You underestimate Strauss, or you are judging him on his first couple of games, rather than those immediately before his injury.

He'd found some confidence, was using the ball well, making good decisions defensively and offensively, and was using his body to effect in the style of a smaller early Frawley - strength through the core to stand up in the tackle, get the arms high, keep your feet and cleanly and accurately find a teammate. His marking of the man was good too.

Can remember the opposition, but when Strauss broke his leg & went off, the floodgates opened after he'd previously been holding his man well (Garlett?).

His leg is a serious obstacle, and he needs to overcome that, but he was coming on in leaps and bounds.

[rpfc 28,271]

If we cut Jmac before Newton I'm going to go apeshit!

We need all the mature bodies we can get. Jmac is a mature body who hardens our backline and he's a goer. Will definitely be needed now that Warnock is gone as insurance at the least!

Gotta cut someone.

And cutting Newton still means cutting someone from the main list.

We have enough vacancies for picks 36 and 52. Cut one more for 54 and that can be that. But remember, if we want to play in the PSD we have to cut another.

[Pates 9,660]

Worth keeping around IMO. He does some good things and his tough as nails, has taken plenty of defensive pressure marks in 2011, just some of his disposal and decision making has let him down.

I'd be cutting Spencer ahead of him, we have a large contingent of ruck stocks now with Jamar, Stef, and Clark able to step into the main role (albeit Clark is meant to be a forward) and Maxy Gawn developing nicely.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Spencer is contracted for 2012.

[Macca 16,941]

Spencer is contracted for 2012.

Which players are uncontracted ? Thanks in advance

I like the way Joel Mac goes about it but he might be in trouble .

[rpfc 28,271]

Which players are uncontracted ? Thanks in advance

I like the way Joel Mac goes about it but he might be in trouble .

Wonna, Fitzpatrick and MacDonald.

[Jordie_tackles 354]

He is great depth and gives his all, i like most of his game to be honest, disposal can improve but who's cant....

The thing that really gets me, and even mroe so once i checked out the season stats were his "Free against" 14 or something at over 1 a game i think was crazy....

He needs to take these dumb acts out of his game for starters, i would rather him than wonna tbh, then rookie wonna if he still wants to be around

[Nasher 33,609]

Wonna, Fitzpatrick and MacDonald.

Wonna and Macdonald.

[rpfc 28,271]

Wonna and Macdonald.

I wasn't aware Fitzpatrick had signed a contract beyond the automatic 2 year deal?

[DemonWA 3,932]

i would be suprised if we could [censored] up a better player than Joel with the picks we have. i'd hang onto him instread of drafting more young fellas for the sake of it?

[furious d 463]

I'd delist Wonna with an offer to re rookie and give Joel a 1 year deal. Minimum 3 picks in this draft and more room to manouvre next year. We may need 6 or 7 delistings next year with early picks and possible rookie elevations

[Gouga 566]

Spencer is contracted for 2012.

Surely Spencer will be re-rookied next year. No chance of a game behind the rest.

As for Macdonald I thought he was very stiff not to play more games, especially prior to injury.

Personally I'd keep him. Maric, scully, warnock gone and Spencer re-rookied gives us three picks.

[rpfc 28,271]

Surely Spencer will be re-rookied next year. No chance of a game behind the rest.

As for Macdonald I thought he was very stiff not to play more games, especially prior to injury.

Personally I'd keep him. Maric, scully, warnock gone and Spencer re-rookied gives us three picks.

Spencer has to agree to be re-rookied.

[Lutz 76]

I know we're running out of options, but I'd be hesitant to re-rookie Wonaeamirri.

I understand he has a lot of work to do in order to get back into the 22, but we're not bursting at the seams with small forwards.

And who would MacDonald be getting a game ahead of in the backline?

Tapscott, Strauss, Blease, Grimes, Tom McDonald, Davis.

The very blokes we need to pump games into.

Handy player, but he doesn't exactly hold the side together and isn't a key for the future.

In my eyes, Joel Mac has to go.

Edited October 23, 2011 by Lutz

[P-man 13,366]

Must keep for 2012. Quite possibly beyond. A senior player who gives his all...an area in which we are not exactly fully stocked. The amount he gets potted does not equate to the calibre of his performances overall.

[old55 23,441]

I'd rather cut Macdonald than Wonnaeamirri if Wonna shows up on 31 October in reasonable shape.

[Rogue 585]

I'd rather cut Macdonald than Wonnaeamirri if Wonna shows up on 31 October in reasonable shape.

Same.

Joel Mac has some attributes I like but he's a fringe player with little upside compared to other guys I rank ahead of him.

[old55 23,441]

Looks like Joel has been enlisted as another one of Neeld's soldiers. Good on him - well done!

[Lutz 76]

Shocked.

[rpfc 28,271]

Thought he would go but that was before HWMNBN left and opened up a spot and MacDonald got a reprieve ahead of Wonna.

Neeld wants a few strong bodies and that is what MacDonald is.

Good luck to him.

I can't see him at the club beyond 2012 but things change quickly...

[Jesse Christ 2,884]

Shocked.

Why?

[buzzyoung 2]

look..I think hes been really good..in patches..actually probably a good reflection of the team overall..

but has a heap of guts..and is really hard at it..

delisting ????? not sure..reckon there might be a few before him..