Tom McDonald - How long do we wait?

[Every Game in '64 25]

TMac should go back.

Play him in the back line where he made his name.

Bring Joel Smith to the forward line.

 

Play Weid off the bench.

[picket fence 15,059]

On 6/19/2020 at 6:43 PM, Pates said:

Going to start this by saying I think he still has the goods in him to get back to being a good power forward. Perhaps not the 50+ goal a year forward we need but still capable of 30-40+.

Having said that Tom has been poor for a while now. Like others he had injury issues coming into 2019 which made him start slow and aside from the Carlton game which he subsequently got injured, he never really played a game worth noting. Now in 2020, with a full pre-season of fitness under his belt, he has started with two poor games. The question in the title says it all: how long do we wait for him to turn it around?

This could potentially tie in with Weiderman and how he isn't being played, where if Tom's poor form continues and maybe if Sam is banging down the door, perhaps Sam takes on the full mantle of the FF role. 

I have long believed that Tom's form is massively linked to our ability to compete with the best, without a key forward target taking grabs, we look really lost as a team.

Taking the line from the page heading..We dont ... Package him and his Brother of and get players who can KICK GOALS.. LOTS OF THEM!

[DEE fence 4,415]

Jacob Weitering has been having a stellar season and added another scalp this season, Tmac has another 2 weeks before going back....

[Cheesy D. Pun 1,762]

Tom is a gun but looks sore to me. He has the turning circle of a truck at the moment but I still think we're a better side with him in it.

[drdrake 3,035]

35 minutes ago, Cheesy D. Pun said:

Tom is a gun but looks sore to me. He has the turning circle of a truck at the moment but I still think we're a better side with him in it.

No Tom isn't a Gun, he is a bloke that had a good season and was almost out the door, he found life going forward but hasn't fired a shot for since 2018.  The big concern is marking, he always has been a good contested mark, now he just can't grab them and is being pushed off the ball to easy.

We put all our eggs in the 2018 finals combination of Weid and TMac, we have no developing tall forwards at our Club, Jackson will be a ruck not forward, even Petty is a defender that we are trying to do a Tmac with and make him a forward.  

[My name is legion 158]

On 6/19/2020 at 11:24 PM, Pennant St Dee said:

Let's not rewrite history to suit the narrative

Our defence badly needed fixing, defence is what wins you premierships, we went on a nice run in 2018  without Hogan but let's be honest we weren't really up there with the top 3 other sides.

and and here are some facts

Hogan wanted to get back to Perth, Melbourne did not move him on, but they saw an opportunity to fix our biggest deficiency.

Watts needed to be moved and you will find a big call and say was made by the leadership group, in this. A big statement re committment by senior players was required 

Goals win premierships. 

[Cheesy D. Pun 1,762]

20 minutes ago, drdrake said:

No Tom isn't a Gun, he is a bloke that had a good season and was almost out the door, he found life going forward but hasn't fired a shot for since 2018.  The big concern is marking, he always has been a good contested mark, now he just can't grab them and is being pushed off the ball to easy.

We put all our eggs in the 2018 finals combination of Weid and TMac, we have no developing tall forwards at our Club, Jackson will be a ruck not forward, even Petty is a defender that we are trying to do a Tmac with and make him a forward.  

He's not getting near it and isn't getting anywhere near the space he had in 2018. His ability to catch the thing hasn't gone anywhere - he's not moving well at all and that's his strength, his ability to run his man around and still have plenty in the tank.

[drdrake 3,035]

7 minutes ago, Cheesy D. Pun said:

He's not getting near it and isn't getting anywhere near the space he had in 2018. His ability to catch the thing hasn't gone anywhere - he's not moving well at all and that's his strength, his ability to run his man around and still have plenty in the tank.

So lets stop picking him for the player he was.

[Fork 'em 6,507]

Just read the thread and a few thoughts on various posts.

1. In regards to May.
Many players get drafted as forwards, can't cut it and get tried back.
May might be able to pinch hit but that'll be it.
Pretty sure TMac was drafted as a forward also, the pinch hitter that got stuck there.

2. Tmac was terrifying coming out've defence with the ball.
He either got caught or butchered the kick.
He also did best up forward when he worked wth Hogan both using their aerobic abiliities to run their opponents up and down the ground.
Hasn't been near as successful as the stay at home KP as we know.
 
3. Saty .... We did bomb the hell out've the forward line in 2018 and previous.
Goodwin even called it "Chaos Ball."
Very few of our goals were created with precision, it was like watching rugby most the time.

4. We do have a potential tall mobile forward in Jackson if he comes on.
 

[Fork 'em 6,507]

37 minutes ago, My name is legion said:

Goals win premierships. 

As do big forwards who can take a big grabs when the Hail Marys are coming in.

[Grr-owl 1,075]

On 6/19/2020 at 2:54 PM, Deestar9 said:

At the moment...Jeremy Cameron says hi ?it is & will be a bizarre season ...let’s give the players a bit of leeway for a few weeks ...

Jeremy has not re-signed with the Giants yet. I'd put a bit of money on MFC spending big to return him South. We need a big key forward and big key forwards need to be needed.

[MyFavouriteMartian 572]

58 minutes ago, Fork 'em said:

As do big forwards who can take a big grabs when the Hail Marys are coming in.

And if we kick all our goals by our small players,  during H&A games...  and then bring-in another tall for finals,  as other clubs have already stated to use a smaller back-line structure.

Speed kills.  as do mismatches.

Edited June 22, 2020 by MyFavouriteMartian

[chook fowler 18,174]

1 hour ago, Fork 'em said:

Just read the thread and a few thoughts on various posts.

1. In regards to May.
Many players get drafted as forwards, can't cut it and get tried back.
May might be able to pinch hit but that'll be it.
Pretty sure TMac was drafted as a forward also, the pinch hitter that got stuck there.

2. Tmac was terrifying coming out've defence with the ball.
He either got caught or butchered the kick.
He also did best up forward when he worked wth Hogan both using their aerobic abiliities to run their opponents up and down the ground.
Hasn't been near as successful as the stay at home KP as we know.
 
3. Saty .... We did bomb the hell out've the forward line in 2018 and previous.
Goodwin even called it "Chaos Ball."
Very few of our goals were created with precision, it was like watching rugby most the time.

4. We do have a potential tall mobile forward in Jackson if he comes on.
 

i think we should manage Jackson the same way Gold Coast and the Saints have done with the King twins.

Give him a year or two in the Magoos and solid gym work before playing him again.

[Half forward flank 1,022]

I would give Tom another game and then it is over to Weids to have a fair crack at it. If he still has it Tom will work his way back into the side. Just treat him with respect and the rest is up to him and a spot opening up. 

[MyFavouriteMartian 572]

10 minutes ago, chook fowler said:

i think we should manage Jackson the same way Gold Coast and the Saints have done with the King twins.

Give him a year or two in the Magoos and solid gym work before playing him again.

After... he extends his contract.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,381]

On 6/19/2020 at 9:08 PM, Pates said:

Difference is the JC has a lot more seasons backed up, Tom has one outstanding season and half a season where he started his swing forward.

JC's had about 2,000 pre-seasons to get it right.

13 minutes ago, Half forward flank said:

I would give Tom another game and then it is over to Weids to have a fair crack at it. If he still has it Tom will work his way back into the side. Just treat him with respect and the rest is up to him and a spot opening up. 

I doubt either McDonald or Weideman will succeed if they are the only tall forward. I'd like to see them play together. It still might not work, but I think there's a much better chance of success if they are sharing the load.  After all, Tom played his best football forward when he was the second tall. Now he's the only tall, and it becomes a different game for him altogether.

Mind you, if he gets his body right, Petty might overtake both of them and in the not too distant future it might be a Petty/Jackson tall forward combination.

[Half forward flank 1,022]

30 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

JC's had about 2,000 pre-seasons to get it right.

I doubt either McDonald or Weideman will succeed if they are the only tall forward. I'd like to see them play together. It still might not work, but I think there's a much better chance of success if they are sharing the load.  After all, Tom played his best football forward when he was the second tall. Now he's the only tall, and it becomes a different game for him altogether.

Mind you, if he gets his body right, Petty might overtake both of them and in the not too distant future it might be a Petty/Jackson tall forward combination.

Agree on Petty. He looked like he could hold his body in the key forward post and had some presence of those around him. Early days but hold some hope. Get him to watch old footage of highly respected Mark Maclure play the position

[Grimes Times 1,278]

1 hour ago, chook fowler said:

i think we should manage Jackson the same way Gold Coast and the Saints have done with the King twins.

Give him a year or two in the Magoos and solid gym work before playing him again.

It is the Kings second year. They never played a year or two in the seconds. The StKilda King didn't play last year due to an ACL and the GC King played 14 senior game last year. I think you should re-evaluate your management plan.

[chook fowler 18,174]

1 hour ago, Grimes Times said:

It is the Kings second year. They never played a year or two in the seconds. The StKilda King didn't play last year due to an ACL and the GC King played 14 senior game last year. I think you should re-evaluate your management plan.

My bad. However, Jackson looks far from ready.

[MyFavouriteMartian 572]

2 hours ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

 

JC's had about 2,000 pre-seasons to get it right.

 

And were still trying to wear low cut boots.   Some things never change.

Ps: can someone please talk to him about that aura-ring on his head.  It just does not go with our jumper.

[KingDingAling 3,589]

Tmac can help our forward line out immensely if used correctly. He does however need to be fit and able to make long leads up the ground all day, creating space behind him, which opens up our forward line. He isn't he answer for us as a goal kicking forward, but he can still be used to improve our forward line. Just have to use him right. Keeping him out of the 50 not only opens it up, but drags out an additional defender that only becomes a burden when we do bomb it in (which we do all day). If we are going to continue to bomb it into our forward 50 (which nothing suggests we won't), then we need to open it up and give ourselves a chance. Otherwise its just more inside 50's that go no where. 

Edited June 22, 2020 by KingDingAling

[Demon Dynasty 15,210]

On 6/21/2020 at 9:39 PM, Every Game in '64 said:

TMac should go back.

Play him in the back line where he made his name.

Bring Joel Smith to the forward line.

 

Play Weid off the bench.

So you are happy to wait another 55 years for our next flag then 64?

[Demon Dynasty 15,210]

On 6/22/2020 at 1:11 PM, drdrake said:

No Tom isn't a Gun, he is a bloke that had a good season and was almost out the door, he found life going forward but hasn't fired a shot for since 2018.  The big concern is marking, he always has been a good contested mark, now he just can't grab them and is being pushed off the ball to easy.

We put all our eggs in the 2018 finals combination of Weid and TMac, we have no developing tall forwards at our Club, Jackson will be a ruck not forward, even Petty is a defender that we are trying to do a Tmac with and make him a forward.  

Ty Dr.  Can't argue with any of that.

[Demon Dynasty 15,210]

On 6/22/2020 at 2:23 PM, Grr-owl said:

Jeremy has not re-signed with the Giants yet. I'd put a bit of money on MFC spending big to return him South. We need a big key forward and big key forwards need to be needed.

One can only hope Grr

[Demon Dynasty 15,210]

On 6/22/2020 at 3:39 PM, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

JC's had about 2,000 pre-seasons to get it right.

I doubt either McDonald or Weideman will succeed if they are the only tall forward. I'd like to see them play together. It still might not work, but I think there's a much better chance of success if they are sharing the load.  After all, Tom played his best football forward when he was the second tall. Now he's the only tall, and it becomes a different game for him altogether.

Mind you, if he gets his body right, Petty might overtake both of them and in the not too distant future it might be a Petty/Jackson tall forward combination.

They have played together a number of times from recollection LDv.  Aside from a few patches in 2nd half of 2018, when the whole team was up and about, i can't recall them kicking bags of goals (or even a decent return consistently) between them.

We need a MOBILE marking geniune KF or two who are capable of taking regular contested / pack marks and can finish off (honour) the good work thats getting the ball inside 50 so often (incentive).

So far the only player on our list who i've seen show small glimpses of looking like a 'Genuine' one of those on occasions and presents as a mobile marking / target....has been Petty.  The one player who should be getting more game time (trialled) here but can't get on the park (yes a bit of MFCSS)