The timing of his spoils is just about impeccable - his body is at full extension, in just the right spot, at just the right time.

He times those fists brilliantly without giving away free kicks. I thought Riewoldt looked dangerous and looked as though he might get on top of him early, but TMac reeled him in beautifully.

He times those fists brilliantly without giving away free kicks. I thought Riewoldt looked dangerous and looked as though he might get on top of him early, but TMac reeled him in beautifully.

Agree thatTmac has excellent timing with putting a fist out to prevent the mark. Didn't think it was his best game last night, at least not early on. He was trying hard, and trying to take on the game and create, but I think he was perhaps trying to do a few thinks beyond his capabilities.

But Reiwoldt didn't score a goal on him, so at the end of the day it's a good result... And better than Rance's game !

I am not one for big statements but I need to make one about Tom McDonald.

I know David Neitz began his career at CHB, and Wayne Carey rated him as his most difficult opponent. But Tom Mc reminds me a lot of an even greater CHB - Gary Hardeman. Great timing with his fist to spoil, will go for an intercept or contested mark if he needs to, and most importantly his dash and carry at times is extraordinary. If he can play like this for the next 5-8 years he might be able to hold his name up against the great Hardeman.

1 year or so ago I had Tom Mc in the Simon Godfrey camp, which is "please get the ball but don't ever kick it". I don't know what Roos, Rawlings and the defence coaches have done with him over the summer but I love watching him play and in his own position he is now the premium defender in the competition.

That spoil when Riewoldt was leading back into space and the ball was coming in over their heads was ridiculously, unbelievably good. On a night with many highlights, that's one I'll remember.

I am not one for big statements but I need to make one about Tom McDonald.

I know David Neitz began his career at CHB, and Wayne Carey rated him as his most difficult opponent. But Tom Mc reminds me a lot of an even greater CHB - Gary Hardeman. Great timing with his fist to spoil, will go for an intercept or contested mark if he needs to, and most importantly his dash and carry at times is extraordinary. If he can play like this for the next 5-8 years he might be able to hold his name up against the great Hardeman.

1 year or so ago I had Tom Mc in the Simon Godfrey camp, which is "please get the ball but don't ever kick it". I don't know what Roos, Rawlings and the defence coaches have done with him over the summer but I love watching him play and in his own position he is now the premium defender in the competition.

Gary Hardeman was a great, and Tom McDonald is fast becoming one, but Hardeman was silky smooth. Tom is clunky and junky, but in the best possible way!

Gary Hardeman was a great, and Tom McDonald is fast becoming one, but Hardeman was silky smooth. Tom is clunky and junky, but in the best possible way!has

has a long way to go to be near as good as Hardeman but is still the most improved player at mfc

McDonald has the best spoiling technique I've seen. He rarely gives away a free and his timing and positioning is superb.

Loving watching him.

To those that are saying that all they criticised him for were his kicking - that is not what he is getting universally lauded for.

He is being recognised for the things he already did but now makes more of an impact because we are a better team.

He looks to have more purpose when he kicks long - they spear through the air - but am I the only one that is hearing the outside fawning of McDonald and thinking 'he has been doing this for a couple years now'?

Interesting tactic by Richmond to play Riewoldt further up the ground and drag TMac with him outside 50. He got a lot of the ball there but had few opportunities to score which is not in the job description for a key forward. When Riewoldt was more in his usual position he got cleaned up by TMac. TMac is king from goal line to Arc.

Gary Hardeman was a great, and Tom McDonald is fast becoming one, but Hardeman was silky smooth. Tom is clunky and junky, but in the best possible way!

Garry Hardeman, there was a player. I'm not sure Tom will ever replicate the silk but certainly the bravado. You can tell Toms grown immensely in confidence and gets caught doing a little too much at times. His kicking has vastly improved. He always had intent and endeavour, now he's polishing it a bit.

Great to watch

To those that are saying that all they criticised him for were his kicking - that is not what he is getting universally lauded for.

He is being recognised for the things he already did but now makes more of an impact because we are a better team.

He looks to have more purpose when he kicks long - they spear through the air - but am I the only one that is hearing the outside fawning of McDonald and thinking 'he has been doing this for a couple years now'?

I think he's cleaned up his field kicking a little bit, but you're right. He looks better because we are better.

I think we underestimate how much pressure our backline has been under in recent years due to the poor defensive running of our midfield. This must contribute to his shaky disposal in the past

I think we underestimate how much pressure our backline has been under in recent years due to the poor defensive running of our midfield. This must contribute to his shaky disposal in the past

yes...valid

Interesting tactic by Richmond to play Riewoldt further up the ground and drag TMac with him outside 50. He got a lot of the ball there but had few opportunities to score which is not in the job description for a key forward. When Riewoldt was more in his usual position he got cleaned up by TMac. TMac is king from goal line to Arc.

Good point. I wasn't sure if it was a Richmond tactic to get McDonald out of the D50 or a Melbourne plan to force Riewoldt out of theirs... either way, it worked very well for us. Riewoldt can have as much of it as he likes 75m out from goal.

Amazed at his rapid rise to AA form. Still has the odd shank or wayward handball but backs himself every time he gits the pill.

Outstanding start to the season.

And to think we have another McDonald coming through in the future.

All the sudden MFC looks like it might actually have a future.

Tom McDonald was unbelievable last night, he stopped everything.

TM is a very good example that you do not need to be a top 20 pick to be a good player.

He shows up all the poor first round picks we made that have amounted to jack S...

Good point. I wasn't sure if it was a Richmond tactic to get McDonald out of the D50 or a Melbourne plan to force Riewoldt out of theirs... either way, it worked very well for us. Riewoldt can have as much of it as he likes 75m out from goal.

GWS used the same tactic a few weeks ago, after they lost Tomlison in the 2nd qtr and decided to play a small forward line with midfielders going flat out from centre bounces to score.

It didn't work for Richmond because their mid-field isn't very good and Riewoldt was too lazy to go with Tommy.

Is currently leading the golden fist award on Fox Footy, if anyone cares.

Votes are given 3-2-1 to the best defender each week.

Bumping this again.

He has been absolutely outstanding. Gave a good interview after today's game too, was clearly livid with with how we played.

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2015-05-03/rd-5-tom-mcdonald-postmatch

Edited May 3, 201510 yr by Scythe

Bumping this again.

He has been absolutely outstanding. Gave a good interview after today's game too, was clearly livid with with how we played.

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2015-05-03/rd-5-tom-mcdonald-postmatch

I loved that interview.

Loved that interview, very honest and you could tell he wasn't happy with some of the efforts out there.

You build culture with blokes like that on your list.

Leadership written all over this bloke, future captain potentially

Tom Mc Donlad is the best defender ion the AFl at the moment No body else has to put up wiith what he does and he i just so good at what he does

About as honest as i have ever se3n from a player.