The Versatility of Tom McDonald

[Demonland 72,186]

[Fat Tony 5,229]

I loved the game of TMac on the weekend. He played well in every role.

In saying this, I don't know how the statisticians calculate the time in each part of the position given the congestion.

[monoccular 17,428]

Tommy has become a very versatile and strong leader across  the field ... well done and keep it up.

[Demon_JB 1,385]

The more Tmac plays like this, the more clubs are going to be adding numbers to their cheques directed at McDonald. He's now a dead eye in front of goal, is great down back, and can play pinch-hit in the ruck and be utilised as an extra mid including the wing.

Not only that, but leads the time trial every single time and is a running machine. Every single club will be eyeing him at the end of the year, and we are going to look to have to pay the big bucks to retain him. If we pay Lever around 800k a year, Tmac should be worth 900k...

 

 

Edited May 2, 2018 by juzzk1d

[ManDee 7,147]

16 hours ago, Fat Tony said:

I loved the game of TMac on the weekend. He played well in every role.

In saying this, I don't know how the statisticians calculate the time in each part of the position given the congestion.

GPS I would guess.

 

[Adam The God 30,254]

28 minutes ago, juzzk1d said:

The more Tmac plays like this, the more clubs are going to be adding numbers to their cheques directed at McDonald. He's now a dead eye in front of goal, is great down back, and can play pinch-hit in the ruck and be utilised as an extra mid including the wing.

Not only that, but leads the time trial every single time and is a running machine. Every single club will be eyeing him at the end of the year, and we are going to look to have to pay the big bucks to retain him. If we pay Lever around 800k a year, Tmac should be worth 900k...

 

 

Nah. 

[Lucifers Hero 39,791]

56 minutes ago, juzzk1d said:

The more Tmac plays like this, the more clubs are going to be adding numbers to their cheques directed at McDonald. He's now a dead eye in front of goal, is great down back, and can play pinch-hit in the ruck and be utilised as an extra mid including the wing.

Not only that, but leads the time trial every single time and is a running machine. Every single club will be eyeing him at the end of the year, and we are going to look to have to pay the big bucks to retain him. If we pay Lever around 800k a year, Tmac should be worth 900k...

Tom said this week he wants to sign a long-term contract with the Demons.  He specifically spoke about the risk of injury and coming out of contract. 

It sounded to me that he would like some security of tenure.   A very sensible approach from a player who just had surgery on both ankles, has recurring shoulder issues and missed games with toe problems.  Will be 26 this year so risk of injury or recurrence increases.

I'm guessing here but I can see Tom trading off some $$ for the security of a long term contract eg 4 years.

And, I'm sure he would like to leave something in the kitty to keep Oscar ?

Edited May 2, 2018 by Lucifer's Hero

[beelzebub 23,374]

Mr T strikes me as fairly level headed.  Barring injury he'd probably have 2 contracts of note left in his career. The next one is payday. As noted .. there's a balance to be struck but if fit he is a rather rare commodity. I see his future days as at least 95% fwd of the centre...only rarely pinching down back...if at All.

A pretty mobile big fella with big tank.

He wants to stay a Dee. Commendable. There will however be a decent queue of check wavers forming. 

Would Tom not be a 4 million man over 4 years ?

With newer club caps etc id say that was reasonable. 

Like houses...a Million ain't what it used to be. 

[ignition. 1,466]

Here's hoping the club signs Tom and Oscar before the years end. I hope neither contract stretches out or buckles the club's financials.

The size of Lever's contract is a concern, however. I'm sure this will come into consideration for Tom, as last time he took his due diligence to investigate the market before re-signing (I recall him approaching it as a business, just like the club does).

Hogan is also out of contract (OOC) next year, so again money will need to be set aside for him.

Hopefully, the contract's of Melksham, Jones, and Lewis (OOC next year) were all front-ended.

[nosoupforme 3,085]

TMAC  plug that hole in the back line we are leaking ! Ok Goody.  TMAC can you help the boys in the forward line? No probs Goody.

TMAC, have you a pen on you? Yep Goody,  Sign on the dotted line. What ever you Goody. 

[DV8 2,271]

2 hours ago, monoccular said:

Tommy has become a very versatile and strong leader across  the field ... well done and keep it up.

a hybrid follower.

[DV8 2,271]

1 hour ago, beelzebub said:

Mr T? strikes me as fairly level headed.  Barring injury he'd probably have 2 contracts of note left in his career. The next one is payday. As noted .. there's a balance to be struck but if fit he is a rather rare commodity. I see his future days as at least 95% fwd of the centre...only rarely pinching down back...if at All.

A pretty mobile big fella with big tank.

He wants to stay a Dee. Commendable. There will however be a decent queue of check wavers forming. 

Would Tom not be a 4 million man over 4 years ?

With newer club caps etc id say that was reasonable. 

Like houses...a Million ain't what it used to be. 

Major Tom?

[hemingway 7,627]

1 hour ago, beelzebub said:

Mr T strikes me as fairly level headed.  Barring injury he'd probably have 2 contracts of note left in his career. The next one is payday. As noted .. there's a balance to be struck but if fit he is a rather rare commodity. I see his future days as at least 95% fwd of the centre...only rarely pinching down back...if at All.

A pretty mobile big fella with big tank.

He wants to stay a Dee. Commendable. There will however be a decent queue of check wavers forming. 

Would Tom not be a 4 million man over 4 years ?

With newer club caps etc id say that was reasonable. 

Like houses...a Million ain't what it used to be. 

Agree with your comments. 

He seems level headed and smart.

He now has a lot of bargaining power. His game last week only consolidates his position.  He will have plenty of suitors. That makes me nervous on the other hand he has developed into a very important weapon for us. 

The $ on offer are going to be big. Despite TMacs loyalty and comments, I can't see this deal being done quickly unless the club decides not to muck around and puts up an attractive offer in the mid to top end of what he and his manager know they can get from other clubs.

It really is pay day for TMac and he and his manager will know it. Delicate negotiations to come. 

We do have a team to pay, so there will be interesting discussions about relative value. The future Hogan deal will be key and impact not just TMacs negotiations but others as well. 

I am reassured that we have some very capable people. Both Jackson and Mahoney are sensible and practical football managers.  

 

[Engorged Onion 10,215]

26 minutes ago, hemingway said:

Agree with your comments. 

He seems level headed and smart.

He now has a lot of bargaining power. His game last week only consolidates his position.  He will have plenty of suitors. That makes me nervous on the other hand he has developed into a very important weapon for us. 

The $ on offer are going to be big. Despite TMacs loyalty and comments, I can't see this deal being done quickly unless the club decides not to muck around and puts up an attractive offer in the mid to top end of what he and his manager know they can get from other clubs.

It really is pay day for TMac and he and his manager will know it. Delicate negotiations to come. 

We do have a team to pay, so there will be interesting discussions about relative value. The future Hogan deal will be key and impact not just TMacs negotiations but others as well. 

I am reassured that we have some very capable people. Both Jackson and Mahoney are sensible and practical football managers.  

 

Personally I'm not worried

The FD department value him

There is no go home factor

Players are inherently loyal to their mates ...

Players ultimately want success, and would rather do it with established relationships.

[Demonland 72,186]

 

[Devil In Disguise 2,278]

Interesting article in today's Hun showing Tom as number ten on their most wanted free agents list with a Port Adelaide icon next to his name. 

[Lucifers Hero 39,791]

2 hours ago, wizardinoz said:

Interesting article in today's Hun showing Tom as number ten on their most wanted free agents list with a Port Adelaide icon next to his name. 

10th.  Seriously?

The FA's I would rank above him are Rory Sloane, Tom Lynch and Jeremy McGovern.  There are others that might be around the same mark as Tom McDonald  eg Gaff, Liberatore (when he is not misbehaving) and in a pinch Dalhaus. 

Out of interest who do the HS have 1-9? 

Personally, I would rank Tom McD top 5 maybe even top 3.

Edited May 4, 2018 by Lucifer's Hero

[Deestroy All 14,266]

Less versatility, more anchored forward, thanks. 

[Gator 17,350]

4 hours ago, wizardinoz said:

Interesting article in today's Hun showing Tom as number ten on their most wanted free agents list with a Port Adelaide icon next to his name. 

Port are addicted to Melbourne players.

[Dr. Gonzo 24,215]

7 hours ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

10th.  Seriously?

The FA's I would rank above him are Rory Sloane, Tom Lynch and Jeremy McGovern.  There are others that might be around the same mark as Tom McDonald  eg Gaff, Liberatore (when he is not misbehaving) and in a pinch Dalhaus. 

Out of interest who do the HS have 1-9? 

Personally, I would rank Tom McD top 5 maybe even top 3.

It wasn't just FA, just out of contract. Although they had Shiel on the list who doesn't come out of contract til 2019. Classic Herald Sun.

[junk 342]

Is the same t.Mac that some people out there wanted to be dropped?  Go Tom,Go Oscar Macs.

[Adam The God 30,254]

23 hours ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

It wasn't just FA, just out of contract. Although they had Shiel on the list who doesn't come out of contract til 2019. Classic Herald Sun.

Shiel would be top of my list, even if it doesn't come out of contract until 2019.

Would perfectly compliment our midfield and IMO os GWS' best and most important player.

[DEE fence 5,014]

On 5/3/2018 at 8:58 AM, beelzebub said:

 

Would Tom not be a 4 million man over 4 years ?

With newer club caps etc id say that was reasonable. 

Like houses...a Million ain't what it used to be. 

This season if he kicks 40+ off a limited pre - season I think a million a season is fair - I would wait a little to just check that the run of goals last year wasn't a fluke (I dont think it will be) if he is sub 35 goals his price stays 800-1mil

[btdemon 482]

I was sceptical about the move of TMac up forward. I wasn't convinced that the defence could survive without him. IMO Lever is not a key back but an interceptor and would rely on having a CHB pillar for him to be able to do his thing. I thought we would end up with Tmac going back there to finalise the defensive structure. I'm pleased to be proved wrong. My doubts about  TMac have always been about his disposal under pressure. He would show great judgement when marking, punching and spoiling but usually have a couple of kicking clangers each game. Now he is roaming from forward 50 through the wing and falling back when needed that pressure is somewhat alleviated. When kicking for goal he has time to balance and go through his routine. The ball drop is still too great but everything else is straight and in line. He is our most reliable shot for goal inside 40 metres. He is also able to use his considerable size to push people around. I'm loving this. he is bullying opponents to win the contested ball. It almost seems that he has grown bigger and stronger but I suspect that its just the different role he is playing. He doesn't have to time his interceptions but can place himself in contests and use his his body size. With Hogan and him up there we definitely look more formidable. I also love the flexibility. He has such a big tank that he can slip into defence during those pressure periods when the opposition are getting a run on. Keep it up TMac. 

BTW. what the hell is this "connection" that Simon Goodwin keeps talking about? Is it another cliche that I have somehow missed the meaning? Every time he says it I try to imagine what he means. I still don't get it. Even Nathan Jones used it yesterday. I sure there is a more direct expression they could use that would be clearer to us dumb punters.

[What 18,810]

How good is he?   An absolute weapon and a nightmare to match up on for opponents,

Too bad he missed the first 5 games, he would have had a 50+ goal season for sure.

9 goals in his first 3 games back.... taking Carey like contested marks... we are so much more dangerous with him out there.