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2011 Player Review - # 43 Tom McDonald

Demonland
in Melbourne Demons

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Watched Tom's games with interest and he has a cool head, strong body and hands, reads the play well and delivered ok under pressure. With another pre-season he's a good third tall back option and should free up Garland for more creative duties. I'd hope he'd play at least 12+ games next year. I suspect with a bit of confidence he'll be a beast.

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    Based on his very limited exposure at the top level, Tom appears to be a bright prospect. He seems to have well rounded footy skills (strong for his age, quickish for his size and a solid mark and kick) but the impressive thing for me was the poise and good decision making he showed for a player of his short experience. He certainly didn't look out of place at the top level, or overawed by the occasion of his first couple of games, and this augurs well for the future.

    Edited by Deeoldfart

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    He's been super impressive. Can any of the drafting experts out there tell me why he wasn't picked up earlier in the draft?

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    He's a beauty, I always love the players that are determined to succeed and he will leave nothing back in the changeroom; always give 100%.

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    What I have seen of him has been impressive. Does look the determined type with a cool head in the limited exposure of 2 games. Prefer to see more of him and I hope he progresses into a big plus for the team.

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    Based on his very limited exposure at the top level, Tom appears to be a bright prospect. He seems to have well rounded footy skills (strong for his age, quickish for his size and a solid mark and kick) but the impressive thing for me was the poise and good decision making he showed for a player of his short experience. He certainly didn't look out of place at the top level, or overawed by the occasion of his first couple of games, and this augurs well for the future.

    Couldn't agree more

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    From the little that I have seen of Tom, he has quite a lot going for him - young, tall, strong, cool under pressure (which can't be taught).

    I am looking forward to seeing a lot more of him next season and beyond.

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    He's been super impressive. Can any of the drafting experts out there tell me why he wasn't picked up earlier in the draft?

    Far from a draft expert, but I think last year's draft was particularly strong.

    That and that while Tom seems a handy role player, he doesn't stand out from the pack much.

    He comes across as a non-dominant yet capable, mobile, relatively short ruckman with a big engine.

    Not the type you select early.

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    Pretty much because he was playing as an undersized ruckman in a TAC team, I would assume. Not many of them get drafted. He's also not the world's silkiest kick, but he's got a big tank and a good head on his shoulders.

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    It was said elsewhere that we can fit four of the following five in defence:-

    Frawley

    Garland

    Rivers

    T McDonald

    Davis

    That being the case, the fact that Tom McDonald was grouped with the forwards is of interest. He came to the club as a ruckman/forward but looked very much at home this year in defence. Does he have what it takes to hold down a key forward spot?

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    Far from a draft expert, but I think last year's draft was particularly strong.

    That and that while Tom seems a handy role player, he doesn't stand out from the pack much.

    He comes across as a non-dominant yet capable, mobile, relatively short ruckman with a big engine.

    Not the type you select early.

    I also have belief that alot of the North Ballarat players dont often get picked up early, just the way it goes, Cook and Frawley went around maybe Brown form Collingwood11 but i cant recall any others going high from this region (or often anyway), i have an interest being from Ballarat. normally they have 1 player go close to or first round then 2 more around the 40-70 range.

    Lutz hit it on the head though, we was playing part time as an undersized ruck (in TAC) which means he was nowhere near AFL ruckman size, so he wasnt drafted for one of his primary roles during draft year.

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    • 12 years later...

     

    A great Youtube channel (aptly named "The Mighty Demons") posted the highlights of Tommy McDonald's debut today, so I thought I'd dig up his debut thread and add the video to that.

    It was a great debut and displayed all the hallmarks of his game - excellent spoiling, deceptive closing speed and good game awareness to come off his man and support in the backline. His characteristic stiff but effective straight-line gait was on show as well. All that was missing from the player we'd come to enjoy in later years are the goals.

    I think he has been an underrated addition to our backline this year and really feel it's his best spot, as good as he was as a forward for us in the 2018-2023 period.

    Hoping for a good end to an underrated dee's career. One of my favourite players over the journey, and someone who could still be a huge benefit to us in the backline again in the twilight of his career.

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    Certainly been the big surprise this season. Looks really fit, covering the ground well, excellent disposal and taking the odd contested mark.

    That aerial ability is probably why Tomlinson is on the outer.

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    3 hours ago, Chook said:

     

    A great Youtube channel (aptly named "The Mighty Demons") posted the highlights of Tommy McDonald's debut today, so I thought I'd dig up his debut thread and add the video to that.

    It was a great debut and displayed all the hallmarks of his game - excellent spoiling, deceptive closing speed and good game awareness to come off his man and support in the backline. His characteristic stiff but effective straight-line gait was on show as well. All that was missing from the player we'd come to enjoy in later years are the goals.

    I think he has been an underrated addition to our backline this year and really feel it's his best spot, as good as he was as a forward for us in the 2018-2023 period.

    Hoping for a good end to an underrated dee's career. One of my favourite players over the journey, and someone who could still be a huge benefit to us in the backline again in the twilight of his career.

    Thanks for posting that, Chook.  
    It takes us all back a long time, into the Dark Ages, but Tom has certainly been a stayer.   I seriously wonder if anyone, Tom included, thought that he would be such an important instrumental player in 2024 after the disappointments of 22 and 23. A tribute to hard work, guts and determination, and perseverance. Well done Tom.

    PS early in the clip I saw one of my old favorites, not known for his skills but for his hard work and endeavor, our previous redhead #13 Jordie McKenzie.    

    Edited by monoccular

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    15 hours ago, Chook said:

     

    A great Youtube channel (aptly named "The Mighty Demons") posted the highlights of Tommy McDonald's debut today, so I thought I'd dig up his debut thread and add the video to that.

    It was a great debut and displayed all the hallmarks of his game - excellent spoiling, deceptive closing speed and good game awareness to come off his man and support in the backline. His characteristic stiff but effective straight-line gait was on show as well. All that was missing from the player we'd come to enjoy in later years are the goals.

    I think he has been an underrated addition to our backline this year and really feel it's his best spot, as good as he was as a forward for us in the 2018-2023 period.

    Hoping for a good end to an underrated dee's career. One of my favourite players over the journey, and someone who could still be a huge benefit to us in the backline again in the twilight of his career.

    Thanks for sharing, not just for the TMac highlights, but for also for bringing the name Tom McNamara back into my mind for the first time in 13 years.

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    Great highlights for his first game

    speaks to why he has calmly slotted back into that role this year

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    1 hour ago, dino rover said:

    Great highlights for his first game

    speaks to why he has calmly slotted back into that role this year

    He has always been a very good to great player, only injury has held him back 

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    Certainly used to give Nick Riewoldt a hard time: had the speed and athleticism to match Nick like few other defenders.

     

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