Tom McDonald - are his days as a defender over?

[3Dee 1,153]

Tom is the quintessential 'REAL GOOD PRO'. Honest, hard working, team guy who gets the best out of himself. He ain't too bad in the middle either..

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

3 hours ago, low flying Robbo said:

I'm amazed at how gunbarrel straight his kicking for goal is... I love it

This.

[DeeWiz 296]

We need some sort of Lab analysis on the cm's deviation from the centreline of the goals for each of Tommy Mac's set shots at goal. I'm pretty sure he split the middle of the goals every time!

[nutbean 8,838]

I have been critical of TMac on his few decision making, kicking errors, brain fades  - as a backman. I have maintained on balance he is a very good defender but those errors was what was holding him back going to that next level.

As a forward it plays to his strong suite. He has become a lead and mark forward and can take a pack mark. Whilst his kicking on the run may be average, his set shots at goal have been very good.

I like him as the ultimate swingman  - can go to both ends of the ground. I do have preference for him as a forward with Omac and Frost as the backs.

[chook fowler 19,264]

Funny how things turn out - if we didn't have all those injuries to our talls this talent would have remained undiscovered. The real surprise is his goal kicking. Who would have thought!

[In Harmes Way 7,712]

Bigger discovery story than Liam Jones moving to the backline.

He just looks so poised. Coaching masterstroke. When Weideman earns his future place in the forward line, he (and we) will be very very good indeed.

[Smokey 4,357]

Absolutely - which is why Lever would almost be the last piece to our premiership puzzle

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

I was really skeptical of him as a full time forward and I still think his biggest strength is his versatility, but for now he's our best key forward.

I also really enjoy hearing him speak, his interview after the game was first-class.

[Webber 10,433]

Is a forward and was always going to be .

[Gipsy Danger 1,067]

There will certainly be some selection headaches in the future, trying to fit Hogan, Watts, McDonald and Pedo into the side. Add Weed into that and we've got a pretty good problem to have.

[Demons1858 1,716]

Some may recall that he has played up forward before briefly in 2014 and then in 2015 with some success.   Since then he has developed his attacking powers while running out of defence. Perhaps it's part of his evolution to become a permanent forward now. Looked 'likely' playing forward in years gone by. I'm not suprised by his output unlike some in a side now with better delivery and superior competitiveness. He is kicking accuately at the moment but not expecting him to kick 5 straight reach week  http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-07-19/mcdonald-provides-newfound-flexibility

Edited July 10, 2017 by Demons1858

[Sir Why You Little 36,668]

Hogan will be a far better player up the ground. Wasted in the Goal Square

[Nasher 33,607]

48 minutes ago, Webber said:

Is a forward and was always going to be .

I'll pay that if you can demonstrate that it was your view before this hot streak ?

[Nasher 33,607]

4 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Hogan will be a far better player up the ground. Wasted in the Goal Square

Alternate the two. McDonald's strength other than marking and the recently discovered goal kicking is his tank. That said, that can probably be utilised in the ruck.

[Sir Why You Little 36,668]

2 minutes ago, Nasher said:

Alternate the two. McDonald's strength other than marking and the recently discovered goal kicking is his tank. That said, that can probably be utilised in the ruck.

Possibly. I just see Jesse getting frustrated in the Goal Square, always have. 

He needs space to run, he is not a natural FF

[Webber 10,433]

4 minutes ago, Nasher said:

I'll pay that if you can demonstrate that it was your view before this hot streak ?

Back in the day Nasher, I did actually predict Tom McDonald would be David Neitzesque in becoming more dominant as a forward. But I wouldn't know where to find it, so am happy to be considered a hindsight fantasist, self-congratulatory in the secure knowledge of what I really thought. Sounds convincing, huh? 

[Demons1858 1,716]

10 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Possibly. I just see Jesse getting frustrated in the Goal Square, always have. 

He needs space to run, he is not a natural FF

Matthew Richardson was frustrated in the goal square also but l hear he could play a bit. Issues is more to do with the way the game is played these days and there isn't really room for a permanent stay at home forward in any side

[Sir Why You Little 36,668]

1 hour ago, Demons1858 said:

Matthew Richardson was frustrated in the goal square also but l hear he could play a bit. Issues is more to do with the way the game is played these days and there isn't really room for a permanent stay at home forward in any side

So as i said. Hogan will become a star playing further up the ground

Edited July 10, 2017 by Sir Why You Little

[McQueen 17,864]

Hogan clunked marks like Tmac back in 2015 and converted them into goals and I'm confident he'll regain that form.

But I don't think Hoges can ever be the swing-man McDonald has become.

Our team has talls that will run from one end to the other and impact contests like no other in my opinion. Talls have evolved into more mobile players so the argument of going in too tall on certain grounds or conditions is always up for debate.

Clearly Pedo is in his twilight so getting the development and aerobic capacity into Weid's this year is so important to keep stretching opposition.

Blue sky would be for all of our talls to play the swing man but clearly when you've got one who's marking everything and scoring you've got to go with that for as long as you can.

Also, it's worth acknowledging our young KPD's are doing their bit to enable this.

[beelzebub 23,200]

Tom...Tom...got a sec mate.  

Tom...good news../..bad news...    what d'ya want ? 

Bad news !!!  (?)   ok 

Tom...you try really hard down back , give ya all...I know..I know..  You try too hard...take on too much ...do silly things sometimes. I think I know the problem...ya look up ...toooooo much space !!  huh ??? 

What?  What's the good news ?

Well...got this opening up the sharp end....  You any good there ? 

What's that... You were recruited as a forward !!  well fmd 

[old dee 23,503]

3 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

Tom...Tom...got a sec mate.  

Tom...good news../..bad news...    what d'ya want ? 

Bad news !!!  (?)   ok 

Tom...you try really hard down back , give ya all...I know..I know..  You try too hard...take on too much ...do silly things sometimes. I think I know the problem...ya look up ...toooooo much space !!  huh ??? 

What?  What's the good news ?

Well...got this opening up the sharp end....  You any good there ? 

What's that... You were recruited as a forward !!  well fmd 

Spot on bb I am constantly surprised that people are surprised.

[monoccular 17,328]

 

2 hours ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Hogan will be a far better player up the ground. Wasted in the Goal Square

 

2 hours ago, Nasher said:

Alternate the two. McDonald's strength other than marking and the recently discovered goal kicking is his tank. That said, that can probably be utilised in the ruck.

Tom could start deep forward (formerly known as full forward) with Jesse up the ground (CHF) - when Tom rucks, Jesse goes deep.  Keeps the flexibility, and the opposition guessing.  And throw in JW4 as a roaming mid / forward just for more variety and opposition headaches.

Edited July 10, 2017 by monoccular

[Sir Why You Little 36,668]

1 minute ago, monoccular said:

 

 

Tom could start deep forward (formerly known as full forward) with Jesse up the ground (CHF) - when Tom rucks, Jesse goes deep.  Keeps the flexibility, and the opposition guessing.  And throw in JW4 as a roaming mid / forward just for more variety and opposition headaches.

Multi Skilling is the way to go

i reckon Jesse could play like Dustin Martin if his confidence is strong

He began as a defender i have been told. 

He stagnates in the goal square

[leave it to deever 17,462]

Its not as of we need him down back to be honest. This is a pleasant topic to be pondering. 

We have his brother down there doing great things. The rock in Hibb. The speed and confidence of Frost. The toughness of Harmes. The miracles of Jetta.

If it ain't broke is my 2 cents.

[leave it to deever 17,462]

1 minute ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Multi Skilling is the way to go

i reckon Jesse could play like Dustin Martin if his confidence is strong

He began as a defender i have been told. 

He stagnates in the goal square

Probably not as fast.