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.

Appears you are going to have to fall in love with him as is going to be around for a while

MFC will be desperate for him to extent his contract.

What great news. Hogan and McDonald were almost more important than Frawley.

What great news. Hogan and McDonald were almost more important than Frawley.

I am a fan of Chip but given some incremental improvement in McDonald's disposal and Jesse tracking how the Club expect him to, if you had to lose one then No.8 would be the first out the door.

Very happy to read this news. I like the kid - he gives 100% and will only continue to improve under Paul Roos. He makes a few errors but who doesn't? Its been the hardest job to be a defender at the MFC over the past few seasons. Now I have heard this, I am not fussed either way about Frawley.

What great news. Hogan and McDonald were almost are more important than Frawley.

Meh. I'll say it.

Meh. I'll say it.

Think you should do what your name suggests!

Bump.

lol

Loved him since his first couple of games in the back pocket.

Just marked everything that came his way.

Remember watching him in a practice game at Visy Park in his first pre-season (coincidentally the day Mitch Clark kicked five against us playing for Brissy).

Was clearly something special even then.

Just an outstanding mark even at that early age.

Edited May 13, 201510 yr by Allen Jakovich

Bump.

lol

The criticism of his disposal was warranted.

The criticism of his disposal was warranted.

Yeah, the one or two clangers he used to do a game really burned us...

He still gets the ball runs and bounces and has no idea what's around him or what he will do with it.

That is why he nearly gets caught often, occasionally does and runs himself into trouble.

But his defending is first class.

i remember watching both Tom and Jones early in their career and thinking, they do everything right and screw up with that extra step or wrong decision. I thought they would not last on the list!

How wrong was I

Glad they are still here and turned into our top 2 players, here's to hoping some of our more naturally gifted player start doing the extra 1 percenters (most likely not a word) to get themselves to the same level!

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.

Ouch.

Sauce with tha humble pie.....?

I tell you what I am over. I am over 'experts' writing off our young players. get behind them and support them. Yes we can be critical but in a measured and sensible way.

They are learning the game and will make mistakes.

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.

GM has some crackers in this thread...

errr james Frawley??

Goodness gracious...the comments!

AA contention this year. Nearly won B&F last year didn't he?

Blue chip defender, credit to his hard work and the will to better himself each outing.

Can we please get a reply from Georgiou - whilst we all make errors (eg: Jetta), this post is now worthy of an award!

You only have to listen to him speak

Leadership.

He is having an AA type of year. Taken down some AA forwards. But I will admit to being 'over Tom McDonald' many of times in the past few years.

Just one of those players that can do amazing things, then ruin it by not spotting up a simple target. Credit to him, he has improved his weaknesses, and is now getting his due. Without a doubt the in form backman in the league. Dunn last year, McDonald this year. I think we got rid of the right bloke in Frawley, and it's good to see other back man step up

Edited May 13, 201510 yr by KingDingAling

It is my God given right to make outlandish statements and predictions about MFC, players and life generally, without my nose being rubbed into it if things go pear shaped.

E.g. my prediction after seeing Travis Johnston's first game that he would win a Brownlow medal, or that Kentucky Fried Chicken will never make it in Australia.

Its amazing how much things can change over 12 months - obviously Jetta and Garland are other examples.

Imagine if the majority of the list could show this kind of improvement over the next 12 months

Yeah, the one or two clangers he used to do a game really burned us...

He's a star and probably the best defender in the league, but his kicking was putrid. It's better now, still not great but much better and that's a credit to him.

It is my God given right to make outlandish statements and predictions about MFC, players and life generally, without my nose being rubbed into it if things go pear shaped.

E.g. my prediction after seeing Travis Johnston's first game that he would win a Brownlow medal, or that Kentucky Fried Chicken will never make it in Australia.

The first part yes but not the second...

He epitomizes how hard work, focus and dedication get rewarded. (Hi, Colin. How are things in the west?)

i remember watching both Tom and Jones early in their career and thinking, they do everything right and screw up with that extra step or wrong decision. I thought they would not last on the list!

How wrong was I

Glad they are still here and turned into our top 2 players, here's to hoping some of our more naturally gifted player start doing the extra 1 percenters (most likely not a word) to get themselves to the same level!

I'm old enough to remember watching Tom Jones early in his career. Even then I didn't think he was good enough to get a gig on Grand Final Day. How wrong was I.