Always wary of these articles before a big game. Hope it bucks the trend.

This is the last thing I wanted to see printed hours before a game! Good luck to OMac for his 50th game. 

His defensive awareness in the air is very good and he has very good positioning. This was evident early on in his career when many were carrying on that he should be dropped after every game. Like Jetta, he is grossly underrated, and because he doesn't get much of the ball he goes under the radar. He is a Silvagni-esque defender, but in an era when the traditional, 100-goal a year forward is rare, his influence isn't as obvious as Silvagni, who, when keeping a forward of the Ablett or Dunstall variety to "only" 2-3 goals, was lauded for his defensive prowess.

  On 22/06/2018 at 03:34, praha said:

His defensive awareness in the air is very good and he has very good positioning. This was evident early on in his career when many were carrying on that he should be dropped after every game. Like Jetta, he is grossly underrated, and because he doesn't get much of the ball he goes under the radar. He is a Silvagni-esque defender, but in an era when the traditional, 100-goal a year forward is rare, his influence isn't as obvious as Silvagni, who, when keeping a forward of the Ablett or Dunstall variety to "only" 2-3 goals, was lauded for his defensive prowess.

Fair comment, but at times he seems to be relaxed to the point of not exhibiting much energy or intensity. Watching him in the warmup against the dogs, unlike some of our other defenders, he appeared switched off. 

Its not really a criticism, it just is a bit unusual. It’s the way he is. But I would prefer to see a bit more aggro in a defender. 

Give him a couple more pre-seasons to build more strength and bulk and he will be able to handle the bigger KPF's.

Until then, all the experience he will gain by playing on them will be invaluable towards his further development.

Dixon is an absolute imbecile. Every time he kicks a goal he carries on like a pork chop in a mosque. A fair bit of revolt in him but revolt is a better player. Westoff is smart but doesn't really do much. It isn't the gorillas to worry about but the grays.

  On 22/06/2018 at 03:34, praha said:

His defensive awareness in the air is very good and he has very good positioning. This was evident early on in his career when many were carrying on that he should be dropped after every game. Like Jetta, he is grossly underrated, and because he doesn't get much of the ball he goes under the radar. He is a Silvagni-esque defender, but in an era when the traditional, 100-goal a year forward is rare, his influence isn't as obvious as Silvagni, who, when keeping a forward of the Ablett or Dunstall variety to "only" 2-3 goals, was lauded for his defensive prowess.

 oscar mcdonald has improved a lot but thank god the game isnt like the 90's where there was more 1 on 1s and not as much defensively because he'd be getting bags kicked on him each week 

  On 22/06/2018 at 04:58, Dr.D said:

 oscar mcdonald has improved a lot but thank god the game isnt like the 90's where there was more 1 on 1s and not as much defensively because he'd be getting bags kicked on him each week 

Rubbish. This year has proved that he can handle the 'gorrillas' and win the one on one battles.

He is only playing his 50th game and he is the key big man trusted to take the oppositions biggest forward in a team that will play finals. 

The 90s would have suited him perfectly. 

It is commonly accepted players do not hit their peak until they have played aprox 80-90 games. So Oscar will be hitting his peak at the end of next year, start of 2020. By then he won't be muscled of the ball and will have 40 odd games of craft and experience playing against the best forwards in the AFL (he really started being the key defender mid of last year).

Like most defenders, Oscar's effectiveness relies a lot on the pressure from the midfield.

  On 22/06/2018 at 03:41, hemingway said:

Fair comment, but at times he seems to be relaxed to the point of not exhibiting much energy or intensity. Watching him in the warmup against the dogs, unlike some of our other defenders, he appeared switched off. 

Its not really a criticism, it just is a bit unusual. It’s the way he is. But I would prefer to see a bit more aggro in a defender. 

I don't find it unusual, Oscar's normally relaxed in his on field warm up when the players come out in their pink shirts and have a few shots at goal etc. All players are different, Jack Viney has stated that he used to get himself worked up too much before a game, I have no issues how players warm up as long as they're switched on at game time. ?

At the same time, Tyson always wonders around spinning the footy like a basketball and taking a few shots, Petracca normally takes lazy right foot snaps from about 50 on the fence. Jones, Brayshaw, Hogan and TMac normally take a few more serious shots at goal in this warmup. ???

  On 22/06/2018 at 05:41, Males said:

I don't find it unusual, Oscar's normally relaxed in his on field warm up when the players come out in their pink shirts and have a few shots at goal etc. All players are different, Jack Viney has stated that he used to get himself worked up too much before a game, I have no issues how players warm up as long as they're switched on at game time. ?

At the same time, Tyson always wonders around spinning the footy like a basketball and taking a few shots, Petracca normally takes lazy right foot snaps from about 50 on the fence. Jones, Brayshaw, Hogan and TMac normally take a few more serious shots at goal in this warmup. ???

I call Oscar Dr Cool now. 

  On 22/06/2018 at 05:36, The Chazz said:

Like most defenders, Oscar's effectiveness relies a lot on the pressure from the midfield.

Something that people seem to struggle to get their head around. When i say people i mean the average footy fan and even many of the so called footy experts in the media. 

Last night's game was a good example. Wet cokes' mid filed pressure was terrible, partic in the first quarter and the bombers were able to kick the ball to their forwards advantage time and time again.

It made that peanut Stringer look like Dunstall and the WC backs like hacks

Let's hope he plays Dixon a lot better than he did Cox.

  On 22/06/2018 at 05:20, binman said:

Rubbish. This year has proved that he can handle the 'gorrillas' and win the one on one battles.

He is only playing his 50th game and he is the key big man trusted to take the oppositions biggest forward in a team that will play finals. 

The 90s would have suited him perfectly. 

It is commonly accepted players do not hit their peak until they have played aprox 80-90 games. So Oscar will be hitting his peak at the end of next year, start of 2020. By then he won't be muscled of the ball and will have 40 odd games of craft and experience playing against the best forwards in the AFL (he really started being the key defender mid of last year).

May possibly squeeze in and make the numbers, unless our forwards can put on scoreboard pressure when they get the opportunities 

fantastic tonight

dixon is a colossus and o mac played him well

Edited June 22, 20186 yr by whatwhatsaywhat

  On 22/06/2018 at 05:20, binman said:

Rubbish. This year has proved that he can handle the 'gorrillas' and win the one on one battles.

He is only playing his 50th game and he is the key big man trusted to take the oppositions biggest forward in a team that will play finals. 

The 90s would have suited him perfectly. 

It is commonly accepted players do not hit their peak until they have played aprox 80-90 games. So Oscar will be hitting his peak at the end of next year, start of 2020. By then he won't be muscled of the ball and will have 40 odd games of craft and experience playing against the best forwards in the AFL (he really started being the key defender mid of last year).

He would have been playing heavier back in the 90's, so would have more muscle onboard, compared to today's game.

 

  On 22/06/2018 at 13:00, whatwhatsaywhat said:

fantastic tonight

dixon is a colossus and o mac played him well

The game was played under manic pressure. and both teams were sloppy.  I reckon this helped OMc.  And i thought Hibbo and Nev were great help.  Also Smith down back, tidied up a bit.

 

We're getting some good players together, slowly.

Did a good job on Dixon. Although looking at Dixon's stats for the year I wonder how that actually is.

Unfortunately let his guard down against Westhoff a couple of times. Didn't adjust to the more mobile opponent. He also has to watch the ball and not let it go over his head like the Thomas ( I think) goal. 

The first 50 was a joke. The player marks after Oscar has left the ground to spoil and it was a reasonable spoil. 

The 2nd 50 was there. Oscar too fascinated by the ball and his ungainly attempt to spoil and was there way too late. Of course the number of missed 50's our way and the face it was a 70m penalty are for another discussion.

  On 22/06/2018 at 05:20, binman said:

Rubbish. This year has proved that he can handle the 'gorrillas' and win the one on one battles.

He is only playing his 50th game and he is the key big man trusted to take the oppositions biggest forward in a team that will play finals. 

The 90s would have suited him perfectly. 

It is commonly accepted players do not hit their peak until they have played aprox 80-90 games. So Oscar will be hitting his peak at the end of next year, start of 2020. By then he won't be muscled of the ball and will have 40 odd games of craft and experience playing against the best forwards in the AFL (he really started being the key defender mid of last year).

im talking about now. he gets pushed off the ball far too easily. ben brown rag dolled him but most key forwards dont find it hard to outbody omac

  On 22/06/2018 at 15:26, Dr.D said:

im talking about now. he gets pushed off the ball far too easily. ben brown rag dolled him but most key forwards dont find it hard to outbody omac

You clearly are not watching the same game as me. Rag dolled. Sheesh

  On 23/06/2018 at 00:58, binman said:

You clearly are not watching the same game as me. Rag dolled. Sheesh

Don’t bother with him binman. You have a better chance of snagging the quaddie than talk sense into the Doc.

  On 22/06/2018 at 13:00, whatwhatsaywhat said:

fantastic tonight

dixon is a colossus and o mac played him well

After Q time Dixon led him up the ground (decoy) to the flanks leaving our backline exposed, clever coaching by Hinkley as he recognised Oscar was our only tall. Oscar was good before that. 10 disposals, 6 clangers, 3 frees against and 2 50’s against. Still of the opinion he needs assistance down there.

The 6 clangers includes the 3 frees against and may include the 2 50s.

Was average last night.

Dixon didn't get a look in due to our immense pressure around the ball and the fact the game was played mainly in our forward half. I don't buy that he beat Dixon at all.

His mistakes were extremely costly on the other hand and whilst he made a few standard spoils and one contested intercept mark, I thought he was quite poor generally.

 

 

  On 23/06/2018 at 01:13, SFebey said:

After Q time Dixon led him up the ground (decoy) to the flanks leaving our backline exposed, clever coaching by Hinkley as he recognised Oscar was our only tall. Oscar was good before that. 10 disposals, 6 clangers, 3 frees against and 2 50’s against. Still of the opinion he needs assistance down there.

Yes noticed that tactic.  They kept an open small forward line

BUMP - Was hoping they would ask Goody some more questions about this OTC. Do we start with Frost on Hawkins or does he give OMAC a chance on Hawkins again, to get his mojo back. Part of me wants to back a player a chance to redeem himself. The practical part of me says Frosty will run off Hawkins and be a weapon all day, thoughts? I lean towards 1st quarter OMac then swap.