Tom McDonald

[Ted Lasso 17,199]

A lot of people talk about how important Frawley and Garland are, but we are blessed to have another great backline talent in Tom, elite endurance and running ability i predict in three years he will be a better player than chipper or garland, would love to see Tom play some football on the Wing as i think he has the running capabilities to play as a tall midfielder,

thoughts on his progress?

[Rod Grinter Riot Squad 5,654]

Still needs further improvement in decision making and disposals, if he can improve these he could easily become an elite defender

[Ted Lasso 17,199]

Still needs further improvement in decision making and disposals, if he can improve these he could easily become an elite defender

I think alot of that may come down to composure, abit like Nicho, he is quick, gets the ball but mucks up alot of his disposals, we wreally need to work on our skills over the coming pre season, i think that would improve alot of our players and our side in general, a fast paced high skilled game style would suit the list we currently have/are trying to build and Tom could be a gun CHB for us for the next 10 years.

[Rod Grinter Riot Squad 5,654]

I think alot of that may come down to composure, abit like Nicho, he is quick, gets the ball but mucks up alot of his disposals, we wreally need to work on our skills over the coming pre season, i think that would improve alot of our players and our side in general, a fast paced high skilled game style would suit the list we currently have/are trying to build and Tom could be a gun CHB for us for the next 10 years.

Nothing like Nicho IMO, though get what you mean but difference is, Tom could be a real gun

[Ted Lasso 17,199]

Nothing like Nicho IMO, though get what you mean but difference is, Tom could be a real gun

All of our Tall defenders are all particularly good rebounders which i think will be a huge asset as our team improves, Frawley and Garland imo are all Australian Quality players at their best and Tom is well on the way.

[71 Molloy 266]

Could be our most important player today. Has the tank and skill to run with Cameron.

[Vagg 2,422]

Could be our most important player today. Has the tank and skill to run with Cameron.

Indeed. Will be a great challenge for him. Two young guns given the chance to take each other on in what one would suspect will be just one of many battles between these two in the coming years.

Go Tom! With Cameron's name in the news at the moment, this is your chance to shine!

[Jerry Lundergard 394]

I have been laughing at all the fools predicting a massive bag for Cameron because we don't have Frawley. Tommy Mac is clearly the best best matchup for Cameron, and I think he will acquit himself reasonably well.

Of course he will need a bit of help from our midfield, which is always a worry...

[Moonshadow 16,468]

Tom's disposal is barely AFL standard. Reads the play well and great tank. But until his kicking is up to scratch, will always be 3rd tall back.

[Karl Stefanovic 107]

For me, Tom is far from the player Garland and Frawley are. He struggles to effectively dispose the ball and makes some very very silly mistakes in the process. He has his endurance and spoiling down pat but he needs a lot of skill work. If he wishes to be an elite back or even a mid as some have suggested that is the area of his game that needs a lot of work. Can he improve, I'm not sure.

[Lil_red_fire_engine 10,374]

And here I was thinking a key defenders job was to beat his man and stop him kicking goals. It would be great for Tom to improve his disposal but if he doesn't and becomes the best stopper in the game (which he has the tools to do) then as long we don't use him as our exit out of the backline and he plays to his limitations when he does have the ball I see no issue. His disposal will not stop him being an All Australian defender his ability to beat his man will. I will be disappointed if he is not given first chop at Cameron today and expect him to acquit himself well.

[Ted Lasso 17,199]

I consider him and Hogan to be the two best key position prospects on our list, and the beauty of both of them is they have all Australian quality players to groom them, it's the situation we need all over the ground.

Tommy could be the next matty scarlett, if we can hang on to frawley, that's a tall backline that could win us a flag.

[titan_uranus 22,912]

His kicking is poor, but IMO getting better.

The rest of his game is superb. Positioning, marking, endurance, strength, chasing. He's doing everything you'd want of a CHB.

A long-term key player for this club, and will only get better as he continues to improve his kicking.

[Supermercado 2,649]

Tom's disposal is barely AFL standard. Reads the play well and great tank. But until his kicking is up to scratch, will always be 3rd tall back.

Disposal efficiency only slightly below Frawley and Garland (admittedly from less touches) and better than Grimes from the same amount of kicks. Makes a few clangers but as long as he knows his limitations and doesn't try and hit 40m pinpoint passes he's fine.

Not interested in him as anything but a defender though.

Edited August 3, 2013 by Supermercado

[titan_uranus 22,912]

Disposal efficiency only slightly below Frawley and Garland (admittedly from less touches) and better than Grimes from the same amount of kicks. Makes a few clangers but as long as he knows his limitations and doesn't try and hit 40m pinpoint passes he's fine.

This is a bigger issue, IMO.

Grimes' kicking is atrocious. Absolutely atrocious.

Edited August 3, 2013 by titan_uranus