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The Psychology of Tom McDonald

Demonland
Demonland
in Melbourne Demons

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What a strange piece of writing, very interesting but strange...

A lack of sub editors methinks at The Age. 

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    The open admission that Tommy and Roos didn't get on very well is interesting.  It's clear that he is enjoying his time under Goody and also that he has been given more license and confidence to talk as a leader of the club.  Also offers an interesting insight into that infamous pre-season camp rift that destroyed our season according to the media at the time.

    Edited by Rodney (Balls) Grinter

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    At least we know why he wasn't included in the leadership group; which, of course, doesn't mean he doesn't have a leadership role to play.

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    18 minutes ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

    The open admission that Tommy and Roos didn't get on very well is interesting.  It's clear that he is enjoying his time under Goody and also that he has been given more license and confidence to talk as a leader of the club.  Also offers an interesting insight into that infamous pre-season camp rift that destroyed our season according to the media at the time.

    I'll use a  "two way running" analogy  - old school coaches like Neeld ( I know we can debate whether Neeld was a coach at all) are one way runners - their way or the highway - can work well for an established side full of stars but not for a team that needs to be developed. Roos was among the first of the modern day coaches to really nurture and take feedback from players. From what i understand Goody is even more embracing of two way relationships or two way running with the players. I like it as it does put much more responsibility on the footballers for how they play and at the end of the day they are the only ones who can kick the footy. It can be uncomfortable when it seems that you get a mass revolt of players to a training camp but that's the price you pay for allowing the players so much input and feedback into what they are doing . 

    It doesn't surprise me that someone like McDonald would gel better with Goody than Roos. I get that this coaching approach is not liked by all but i am a fan of making the footballers much more accountable for how they play ( I thoroughly detest when the coach gets blamed for the players "not turning up to play")

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    3 hours ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

    The open admission that Tommy and Roos didn't get on very well is interesting.  It's clear that he is enjoying his time under Goody and also that he has been given more license and confidence to talk as a leader of the club.  Also offers an interesting insight into that infamous pre-season camp rift that destroyed our season according to the media at the time.

    Roos' greatest strength is probably his weakness.  Pretty sure all under him understand what he wants all the time, and those methods have worked well.  Only a Robbie Walls or an Andy Demetriou might disagree.

    But there is an element of Sheedy/Wallace that I loved which was looking for the edge (Roos would call a trick perhaps), and leaving no stoned unturned in terms of what-if.

    Tom Mc might just be the most valuable KPP forward in the game.  He might actually be my first picked.  If 2018 wasn't a blip, and McDonald becomes (as I think he will), in the top 3 forwards in the game, then Roos needs to acknowledge.

     

    Not many excuses when a team has many games that are decided by half time, to explore the what ifs.

     

     

    Before Melbourne, I challenged anyone to have a go at Roos' recruiting record of those that played AFL before.  It was 2nd to none.  Can't remember a player he let go of at Sydney that shone.  But his decision to stay head-strong with McDonald for instance, meant that maybe Dunn +/- Howe were too easily let go as tall back options.

     

    Refreshing that players are honest BTW, about a less than imperfect relationship with a coach.

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    • 5 weeks later...

    What the hell has happened to TMac?

    There is no doubt he is playing injured or is terribly unfit. He is probably missing Hogan more than any other player.

    Or is there more to it? He might need another sit down with the psychologist. There were several times today he looked totally lost and out of confidence and position. 

    Hard to believe this guy was getting Bronx cheers today,  but they were warranted. He's barely been sighted all season. 

     

    Edited by Hell Bent
    Spelling

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    A key reason why we’re 1-4 and soon to be 1-5 on Wednesday is T Mac’s disgraceful form this year.

    Every MFC supporter had their dreams and hopes in the hands of T Mac and he’s totally stunk up the joint this year. 

    I’m not buying he’s injured. I’m buying into the fact that he’s [censored] the bed this year (like a few of his mates) and needs to turn around his and our season ASAP.

    Edited by Bring-Back-Powell

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    Going at everything one-handed and trying to hold the oppo off with the other arm

    Classic Demons trait to have a good year in a contract year in 2018.....

    Looks miles off the pace currently

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    He has been absolutely non existent. He looked Carey like in our mcg finals last year. You almost forget he’s out there.

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    Slow, sluggish and unfit. Excruciating to watch.

    If he isn’t right then put him I’m for surgery now....the seasons over. An absolute liability at the moment.

     

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    9 hours ago, Beetle said:

    Slow, sluggish and unfit. Excruciating to watch.

    If he isn’t right then put him I’m for surgery now....the seasons over. An absolute liability at the moment.

     

     

    F6B9866E-10B0-4D2E-B6E7-8A780D56B88A.jpeg

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    He got an easy ride with Hogan taking the best defender and double team last few years, now has nowhere to hide.

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    • Shocked 1

    4 minutes ago, TheoX said:

    He got an easy ride with Hogan taking the best defender and double team last few years, now has nowhere to hide.

    He’s not playing well at the moment but that’s harsh.

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    • Like 1
    1 hour ago, TheoX said:

    He got an easy ride with Hogan taking the best defender and double team last few years, now has nowhere to hide.

    If that’s the case, why was it that our best wins over the previous 2 seasons were when Hogan was out injured? 

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    TMac is one of the besty endurance athletes at he Club. He is obviously :

    • Playing injured
    • Still has enormous pride in playng for MFC  because I do not think anyone bleeds more at losing/playing poorly
    • Suffering from the delivery coming into the fowsd line. SG suggested last night that we are not connecting from mid to fwd.
    • He (SG) may have added we are nto defending from Mid/Fwd.

    All of these things combined mean that life is pretty difficult for a KPF at MFC at the moment

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    5 hours ago, TheoX said:

    He got an easy ride with Hogan taking the best defender and double team last few years, now has nowhere to hide.

     

    4 hours ago, Tim said:

    If that’s the case, why was it that our best wins over the previous 2 seasons were when Hogan was out injured? 

    Exactly Tim.

    He didn’t actually click with Jesse.  Best games for Tom, and for MFC, were without Jesse

     

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    Both Weid and Tmcd need to BLOODY SHOW SOME HEART. Their lack of heart and at the contest is painful.  

    Both signed up for big $$ and not repaying the club. 

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    1 hour ago, monoccular said:

     

    Exactly Tim.

    He didn’t actually click with Jesse.  Best games for Tom, and for MFC, were without Jesse

     

    Best games from Tom is when he plays high half-forward.   He's a tall midfielder, who happens to be strong overhead. 

    He's not a deep forwards shoelace.

    And our delivery into our forwards atmo,  is atrocious.

    Edited by DV8

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