Don't care if this bites me on the back Jetta or Pedersen style. I'm putting it out there.

It's not the kicking. With time that could improve.

It's not even the defending errors that happen occasionally, they'll get better and he does a lot right.

It's the lack of pace for a guy who's meant to have speed.

It's the incredibly bad decision making with ball in hand regardless of kicking.

It's the lack of help he provides team mates by running to help, at one time today Grimes got the ball under pressure and turned towards the boundary with Ziebell on his hammer. McDonald had run back behind Grimes to where he couldn't help at all instead of towards where Grimes would need help, and Grimes (less said about him the better) is nothing but consistent.

I'm over Tom McDonald and I'm now at the stage where I'd love to be proven wrong. Personally I'd rather start again with someone who's a footballer first not an athlete.

He's had a very good year as a defender, his kicking needs work though

Still pretty young too.

I'm happy to give him time.

I was going to start the same topic but change the name to Colin Garland.

The play with Grimes was pathetic. He didn't sum the play up at all, and went to shepherd when he should have been giving Grimes an option.

His main issue, and it has been like this his whole career, is his kicking. He just cannot kick. His style is ungainly, I'm not sure if it's the ball drop or the follow through or whatever, but most of his kicks don't come off the boot well. They're often too low and are rarely on target. It's an enormous problem.

Not sure what you're on about with his pace; most key defenders would kill to move like he does. I like his aggression, I think it's good and important for KPDs to be willing to get involved in the play (think Scarlett and Fletcher, two of the best of the last 15 years, they both love(d) to get up the ground and get involved). But he needs to learn when to attack and when to stay home, as he sometimes gets too excited when he shouldn't.

The kicking is the problem though. It's very hard to carry someone in the side who simply cannot hit a target ever.

Edit: forgot to say, in summary - he's a good player, still young, and definitely not one to write off to any extent. But definitely needs to work on that kicking.

Edited June 22, 201411 yr by titan_uranus

Not one of his best efforts, but one I'm prepared to forgive on back of age and previous record.

100% not fully fit.

Also 100% one of best young defenders in the league.

I hope he's restricted in his fitness because 1 goal 5 and 11 marks for Petrie including Petrie getting him on the lead multiple times is not up to scratch. I know North had good delivery but it's the lack of desperation to stop kicks up to the wing/flanks which is McDonald's main strength which is lacking.

It's why I'm thinking he's just not smart enough to zone and read the play.

Can't backman be taught to kick accurately over 20 or 30 metres, I don't get it. Some have it naturally but surely you can practice this. But yes there were some howlers today but often not under any pressure, that is what I find inexplicable at times.

Edited June 22, 201411 yr by Earl Hood

A week is long time in football. This time last week he was a star.

He will learn, I hate it when he overestimates himself and gets caught trying to break through but I guess as he gets older and stronger it will happen.

He's got some faults but they can be ironed out.

Really?!?

A young key defender was beaten (?) by a mature and talented key forward at times on the lead when they were isolated inside 50. And the lockdown key defender isn't a great kick.

This is enough for you to be 'officially over' him? Your opinion is not worth the paper this thread isn't written on.

Don't care if this bites me on the back Jetta or Pedersen style. I'm putting it out there.

It's not the kicking. With time that could improve.

It's not even the defending errors that happen occasionally, they'll get better and he does a lot right.

It's the lack of pace for a guy who's meant to have speed.

It's the incredibly bad decision making with ball in hand regardless of kicking.

It's the lack of help he provides team mates by running to help, at one time today Grimes got the ball under pressure and turned towards the boundary with Ziebell on his hammer. McDonald had run back behind Grimes to where he couldn't help at all instead of towards where Grimes would need help, and Grimes (less said about him the better) is nothing but consistent.

I'm over Tom McDonald and I'm now at the stage where I'd love to be proven wrong. Personally I'd rather start again with someone who's a footballer first not an athlete.

Mewnt to have pace??

First I have heard of this..

Mcdonald has never been quick mate.

Let's not mistake being a good runner with being quick. Pretty tough to have great endurance AND pace.

Harsh, yet fair.

Still looks like a very promising defender to me though.

Petrie's a good player in a good patch of form who did most of his best work on the lead today thanks to North's midfielders hitting him up under little pressure. As a defender, Tom did alright, and hopefully he does learn to kick at some stage. Him, Bail, Grimes and McKenzie could all do with a trip to Auskick. Tom wasn't the only player to have a bad game today and he's been solid for most of the last two seasons.

I'm still frustrated seeing McKenzie looking for the handball every single time he takes a mark... not for the quick play on, but because he obviously to all and sundry has zero confidence in his disposal.

Mewnt to have pace??

First I have heard of this..

Mcdonald has never been quick mate.

Are you kidding? He mightn't be Blease/Nicholson but relative to other KPDs he's definitely pacey. And mobile.

Really?!?

A young key defender was beaten (?) by a mature and talented key forward at times on the lead when they were isolated inside 50. And the lockdown key defender isn't a great kick.

This is enough for you to be 'officially over' him? Your opinion is not worth the paper this thread isn't written on.

He was definitely beaten today, but it wasn't disastrous by any means.

He's not just a 'lockdown defender' though, he plays a pretty important role linking up in attack. Rather than curb that out of him, I'd rather see his kicking improve and/or him learn when to attack and when not to.

Bit of Scarlett about how he creates from defence, he's young and I'm backing him in

Demonland never ceases to amaze me, his strengths outweigh the weaknesses. Amplified today by the poor performance all round. GWS, Hawks, Crows, Blues, Dogs, Freo, Meth Coast, Saints, Tigers & Lions would all take him in a heart beat

He's not just a 'lockdown defender' though, he plays a pretty important role linking up in attack. Rather than curb that out of him, I'd rather see his kicking improve and/or him learn when to attack and when not to.

His primary role is as a lockdown defender. The fact that he provides such good run is a really nice bonus.

He's a very good young key defender, and this thread is awful.

Demonland never ceases to amaze me, his strengths outweigh the weaknesses. Amplified today by the poor performance all round. GWS, Hawks, Crows, Blues, Dogs, Freo, Meth Coast, Saints, Tigers & Lions would all take him in a heart beat

Let them. Hawthorn wouldn't touch a key defender who can't kick. Or they wouldn't put him in the team until he learns how. And they always defend and run with perfect intelligence. When their defenders get beat (Cheney and Schoenmakers, even Gibson) it's because one on one they get beat, it happens.

Let them. Hawthorn wouldn't touch a key defender who can't kick. Or they wouldn't put him in the team until he learns how. And they always defend and run with perfect intelligence. When their defenders get beat (Cheney and Schoenmakers, even Gibson) it's because one on one they get beat, it happens.

Hawthorn run harder than any side and are that well drilled they know where to kick the ball because they know exactly which space their player will run to. Good sides back their team mates and actually cheat somewhat peeling off their opponent in the belief their team mate will win the ball, generally they do. Once they have the ball they kick to the team mate who has peeled off and is in space.

Have you heard the saying it's easier to play with good players, well its a fact.

His kicking and decison making is diabolical and is showing signs of getting worse. It's a conversation worth having. Criticism of players like McDonald and Grimes can be shouted down, but they are both huge liabilities at present.

When there is very little pressure on the player delivering the ball to the big forwards there's not much you can do. And they ran the ball into their forward 50 a lot. Tom needed a run up to spoil Petrie and rarely got that chance because of good delivery.

Tom's in my team every week. Lowering his colours against one of the best forwards in the game tonight is a learning curve.

Tom's in my team every week. Lowering his colours against one of the best forwards in the game tonight is a learning curve.

Drew Petrie. Really?