All Hail Tom McDonald

[_becks_ 35]

young under-20-gamer who has some obvious potential but some serious deficincies at this stage. -nevertheless a portion of the supporter base declares he will become a star. We've seen a billion of these come through and almost none have actually become stars, so I'll wait and see thanks. Blease is exactly the same. We have shown we are not able to produce the 'complete' player and our young blokes who can't kick or have a poor work ethic or whatever rarely work these flaws out of their game

Agreed. Our player development is sub-par in my opinion.

Morton and Gysberts come to mind.

[monoccular 17,642]

young under-20-gamer who has some obvious potential but some serious deficincies at this stage. -nevertheless a portion of the supporter base declares he will become a star. We've seen a billion of these come through and almost none have actually become stars, so I'll wait and see thanks. Blease is exactly the same. We have shown we are not able to produce the 'complete' player and our young blokes who can't kick or have a poor work ethic or whatever rarely work these flaws out of their game

Yeah - well. Think about all those who so many of you like to label underachievers (and I am guilty I must admit to saying the same about particularly some) -- how many have Neeld, Craig and Missen had a chance to start with from scratch. Tom only had one part season under the previous regime, so maybe the current mob can get him up to his full potential. Maybe a little positivity can come out of an almost universally regarded crap season and lift our spirits. Edited August 6, 2012 by monoccular

[monoccular 17,642]

Skeptical but I agree with you. Let's wait a little while before we get too excited, though what he has done so far this year has been impressive.

Looking forward to him having a crack in the forward line, as he was drafted as a CHF wasn't he?

Neita started off as a top rate CHB then became one of our greatest KPP forwards. I have thought similar things about Tom, though a top attacking CHB is incredibly valuable too.

[Josh 1,420]

Has he been our best defender this year? I hope he gets first crack at nick on the weekend as a bit of a hats off for a good effort

[nutbean 8,838]

If he can improve his disposal & decision-making with the footy... wow.

So far still very happy.

Like a young Prestigiacomo.

He finds too much of the ball to be like Presti

[low flying Robbo 979]

Has he been our best defender this year? I hope he gets first crack at nick on the weekend as a bit of a hats off for a good effort

I would say he's clearly been our best defender this year

[Deestroy All 14,266]

He hit a few targets this week, warmed my heart.

He does have a messed up kicking action, tries to kick in too much of a stride for a start, and I think when he shanks them with plenty of time, he's trying to kick through it too hard.

These are good things, the action can be corrected, plus experience and his work ethic make me think he'll become a reliable kick.

Could be worse, could be like Scully with a near perfect kicking action yet he couldn't hit Phil from 2 metres away.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Could be worse, could be like Scully with a near perfect kicking action yet he couldn't hit Phil from 2 metres away.

Scully drops the ball near his chin, McDonald isn't much better.

[jackaub 1,402]

Rohan bail says hello

Gee i wish Rohan could learn to kick it really weakens his package! Could have been a contender a number of times only to have his kicking let him down

Surely thay can teach that skill!

[cowboy_from_hell 2,390]

Gee i wish Rohan could learn to kick it really weakens his package! Could have been a contender a number of times only to have his kicking let him down

Surely thay can teach that skill!

Bail makes it worse for himself because he does everything else right in terms of running into a position to do some damage and then BAM the balled is sprayed to a galaxy far far away.

[monoccular 17,642]

Gee i wish Rohan could learn to kick it really weakens his package! Could have been a contender a number of times only to have his kicking let him down

Surely thay can teach that skill!

Bail makes it worse for himself because he does everything else right in terms of running into a position to do some damage and then BAM the balled is sprayed to a galaxy far far away.

True I used to wonder if pretty ordinary kicking could be improved in an otherwise good to very good player : Todd Viney and Nathan Jones have both given me hope.

[Lord Travis 10,793]

Has he been our best defender this year? I hope he gets first crack at nick on the weekend as a bit of a hats off for a good effort

He may well be our best defender this year. He' already played on, and beat, Nick Reiwoldt earlier this year. I'd imagine he'd be first picked to repeat that again.

[angrydee 842]

True I used to wonder if pretty ordinary kicking could be improved in an otherwise good to very good player : Todd Viney and Nathan Jones have both given me hope.

Add Nicho to that list. Prior to his injury his kicking had shown marked improvement. Also Joel Mac.