1 hour ago, angrydee said:

According to champion data he also had more goals kicked on him in the last fifteen rounds last year than any other key defender in the league. 

Is still a very key signing. And I have no doubts he will.

Edit spelling

You shouldn't have identified that, the wolves will be after you.

Don't forget that 'the reason he looks so undecided is that he had no one to kick to when he went for runs last year. There was no spread'! 

So it's everyone else's fault but Tommy's! Don't you understand?!

Tommy is a saint and everyone else on our list is too. 

He can't improve any weaknesses because he doesn't have any!

He came third in the B&F!

Jeez!

 

55 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

It's not just what he does with the ball that annoys me but his defending just isn't that good. It's plateaued, which I think is on Jade Rawlings (and Tom).

I really want to see more aerial dominance in his game. 

By that I mean strong marking when the situation is right and strong definitive punching of the ball when it's called for. Too often he runs in to contests with his first extended instead of making a strong leap and punch of the ball. Garland is the same. 

And he flies for marks when the situation calls for a safe punch. Robbie Gray got a goal on the weekend where he tried to mark instead of just clearing the ball with a strong punch. I'm not sure he can punch with his left fist either, which might be injury related. 

I can handle a few stuff ups with the ball in hand if he's owning CHB as he was in the first half of the year last year when he was like a wall. 

Now why have you gone and identified something like that?

It's not his fault!

It was because of the [censored] wind on Saturday. It was supposed to be a Southerly but ended up being a North-Easterly!!

How can Tommy stop the wind!?

FFS give him a break.

Srsly.

Is a good player, has some specific limitations, has also shown he can be an excellent player.

Now, I know stats aren't everything and it is difficult to compare McDonald when he's played games up forward. But let's just agree that if McDonald is approximately in the same range or better than Rance, then he's doing ok and we shouldn't be talking about offloading him.

So, with that in mind - Footywire player compare - Alex Rance and Tom McDonald 2015

49 minutes ago, stevethemanjordan said:

You shouldn't have identified that, the wolves will be after you.

Don't forget that 'the reason he looks so undecided is that he had no one to kick to when he went for runs last year. There was no spread'! 

So it's everyone else's fault but Tommy's! Don't you understand?!

Tommy is a saint and everyone else on our list is too. 

He can't improve any weaknesses because he doesn't have any!

He came third in the B&F!

Jeez!

 

Geezze....... Steve you can cut the dramatics.......I just put up his stats for last year to prove that he is a very good footballer when even 1 poster wanted to swap him for Hooker was it?  

     He is still young and has a lot of improvement in him.   He is no saint and like every footballer in the AFL, he makes mistakes.   But he also gets a lot of the ball and is very important to our back line.

Sarcasm  is sometimes the lowest form of wit     

He has put off contract talks again:  "Melbourne's Tom McDonald has delayed putting pen to paper on a long-term deal which would tie him to the Demons until at least 2020"  http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-season-2016-demons-stand-firm-as-tom-mcdonald-holds-off-on-contract-20160524-gp2pgs.html

" But Melbourne remain adamant the offer on the table to the 23-year-old will not be increased as the club works to retain its growing list of young guns...The feeling at the Demons is one of frustration that McDonald hasn't recommitted, with the deal on the table seen as more than fair.. The consensus  is that McDonald will eventually sign with Melbourne, but is taking time to consider his options".

This latest development looks to me that he has been open to a specific offer, received it and now walked away from the table.  Good on MFC for not upping the price to 'buy' his signature.  No wonder Healy has been at him in the media recently.

Selfish sod!  If he doesn't want to be part of what the club is building and just looking out for himself then just go,Tom!! 

Reminds me of an ex MFC player of the same name!! 

If all he wants is money then good luck to him, as he won't be at dees next year. If we ever hope to build a side that can contend for a flag every one will need to take unders (including hogan), just like the Cats and Hawks

38 minutes ago, Garbo said:

If all he wants is money then good luck to him, as he won't be at dees next year. If we ever hope to build a side that can contend for a flag every one will need to take unders (including hogan), just like the Cats and Hawks

Unders for Hogan will be a mill a year, but he'll sign.

I am with you McQueen he fits our profile to a tee and I will be really annoyed if we lose him, he is starting to show a lot and we are already undersized down back, we cannot afford to lose him!!

If players leave now, I just don't get it. Especially players who stuck it out through all the [censored] of the last few years. 

We are clearly on the rise. In fact I would argue that we are as well placed as any Victorian team to succeed (unless you're so damn impatient you wanna run to Geelong or Hawthorn and get paid peanuts). What could Tom McDonald possibly be putting contract talks off for? Unless he just wants a crapload of money. 

So happy to hear the club are holding firm (at least on face value). There is a deal on the table, take it or leave. We need to set this precedent early - as we will have bigger names try test our meddle in the future. Much of what PJ harped on about (creating an environment where players want to be), will also work in our favor during negotiations. The club has created an exciting environment, and one that appears to be on the verge of something special. McDonald either wants to be a part of that, or he doesn't. That will apply to all players weighing up their options.

His right to do so. If he thinks he can increase his value by encouraging other clubs to make offers that is ok and sensible from his viewpoint. Perhaps he is not happy at Melbourne but more likely  he is taking the advice of his manager whose raison d'être is always going to be $. It will work out the way it is meant to no doubt. Along the way there are going to be disappointments but far fewer if we continue to win games and are viewed as a successful club on the rise rather than a club of no hopers.

Must sign Tommy Mc.....cannot afford to let him go.

What an idiot lol

Learn to hit a target first Tom before you think you can play the system. Glad the club is holding firm. Reminds me of his old mate in black and white.

11 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

What an idiot lol

Learn to hit a target first Tom before you think you can play the system. Glad the club is holding firm. Reminds me of his old mate in black and white.

Stop holding back, DD36.....tell us what you really mean.

Greg Denham in The Australian today says contract negotiations between Tom Mac are underway in an article headed 'McDonald, Demons talk Turkey.' On the other hand, Sam McLure in The Age says talks have stalled. Denham has direct quotes from Tom talking about our performances so I am more inclined to believe Denham who is normally on the money with his info. Maybe just my hopefulness as I don't want Tom to go.

Good to hear the club is standing firm, pay him what he is worth and not a cent more.  And then hope like hell he improves, cos he has stalled big time and his kicking /decision making is still bad.

Hope he stays, but it's frustrating to hear that he's allegedly dragging his feet.

If he were to walkit opens up a spot down back for Frost or Oscar and I still hope we can land one of Hurley, Mitch or Nathan Brown in the off season to set us up down back.

4 minutes ago, Atholwebb said:

Greg Denham in The Australian today says contract negotiations between Tom Mac are underway in an article headed 'McDonald, Demons talk Turkey.' On the other hand, Sam McLure in The Age says talks have stalled. Denham has direct quotes from Tom talking about our performances so I am more inclined to believe Denham who is normally on the money with his info. Maybe just my hopefulness as I don't want Tom to go.

The Australian's still in circulation?

It is inevitable that at some stage we will lose a player/players that we don't want to lose, and it will be ok.

We have a gifted list, money will be tight and we are managing the list in a more frugal fashion.

If you want to be part of the rise of the most promising young list in the AFL you will need to commit, physically and fiscally. 

7 hours ago, DeeZone said:

I am with you McQueen he fits our profile to a tee and I will be really annoyed if we lose him, he is starting to show a lot and we are already undersized down back, we cannot afford to lose him!!

He may be holding out for the CBA which may see him get a little boost.

I agree we are undersized down back which is the only reason I'd fret about him leaving. Realistically he is not an A-grade player or anywhere near it. He had a good 7-8 weeks at the start of last year but has been inconsistent since then. He is a good mark, OK kick but absolutely terrible decision maker which often kills us with his turnovers across half back.

30 minutes ago, jumbo returns said:

Stop holding back, DD36.....tell us what you really mean.

I think my 'Tom McDonald mirror thread' says enough.

9 hours ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

He has put off contract talks again:  "Melbourne's Tom McDonald has delayed putting pen to paper on a long-term deal which would tie him to the Demons until at least 2020"  http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-season-2016-demons-stand-firm-as-tom-mcdonald-holds-off-on-contract-20160524-gp2pgs.html

" But Melbourne remain adamant the offer on the table to the 23-year-old will not be increased as the club works to retain its growing list of young guns...The feeling at the Demons is one of frustration that McDonald hasn't recommitted, with the deal on the table seen as more than fair.. The consensus  is that McDonald will eventually sign with Melbourne, but is taking time to consider his options".

This latest development looks to me that he has been open to a specific offer, received it and now walked away from the table.  Good on MFC for not upping the price to 'buy' his signature.  No wonder Healy has been at him in the media recently.

Selfish sod!  If he doesn't want to be part of what the club is building and just looking out for himself then just go,Tom!! 

Reminds me of an ex MFC player of the same name!! 

Settle down. He is a professional footballer whose career could end at any time. Let him consider his position and decide if our offer is fair before turning on him. 

10 minutes ago, Redleg said:

Settle down. He is a professional footballer whose career could end at any time. Let him consider his position and decide if our offer is fair before turning on him. 

Im a T Mac fan but when you put off negotiations mid year ( if thats what he's done) , it usually means one thing. At least players cant leave the club anymore and say they left for a "better environment" I think as our team starts to hit it straps we can expect many raids from other clubs....the real character of the players and their wish to stick together and build something will soon be revealed.

 

I'm sorry, but if a player with the weaknesses of Tom McDonald tried to hold us over a barrel, i know where i'd tell him to go.

7 hours ago, KingDingAling said:

So happy to hear the club are holding firm (at least on face value). There is a deal on the table, take it or leave. We need to set this precedent early - as we will have bigger names try test our meddle in the future. Much of what PJ harped on about (creating an environment where players want to be), will also work in our favor during negotiations. The club has created an exciting environment, and one that appears to be on the verge of something special. McDonald either wants to be a part of that, or he doesn't. That will apply to all players weighing up their options.

Seems like the Howe situation all over again