The Oscar McDonald Appreciation Thread

[Demonland 64,361]

Well overdue. 

 

[roy11 2,911]

Was going to say even after the win there were a few negative threads about other players popping up.

Nice to have an optimistic post 

OMac played well and deserves the Kudos. 

[Jaded No More 57,583]

He is a much better player than so many on here give him credit for. A good solid one on one defender, and a very good user of the footy, when he does use it.

I assume Day was his opponent most of the game. Day had 7 touches and 2 marks for 0 goals. 
Oscar had 9 touches, 3 marks and 4 tackles.

More than did his job! 

[deebug 1,754]

Had a great game, was very happy for Oscar?

[reynolds46 808]

Allows Lever to play his natural interception role too

[chook fowler 18,164]

Love a good redemption story. Well done Oscar - even though one swallow doesn't make a summer. Noticed on his prematch interview he developed a good set of guns - obviously been putting in some time in the gym.

[Lord Travis 10,135]

He was on Day for most of the match until Day got thrown into the ruck late in the game. He comfortably beat Day and also peeled off to assist other defenders too. Similar to Weid, not big stats but played his role well.

Oscars positioning with defensive zone was light years ahead of Smiths. He reads the play quite well and doesn't get caught out as often, which is a good sign that he and the other talls in May and Lever have better understanding of each others games and are able to stick to their roles easier. It allowed Lever to peel off and intercept more and more as the game went on.

Credit to Oscar for a decent game. He should be in the team again based on form and structure.

Edited July 13, 2020 by Lord Travis

[dazzledavey36 48,619]

I've been harsh on him in the past. But he was very good. Played with a lot morenfree spirited and just took the game on.

If it means that it will make Jake Lever a better player then he has to stay in the side for the rest of the year.

[Grr-owl 1,075]

Is this thread about the footballer or a new Robert Ludlum novel?

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,381]

Just looking at that highlights package and two things stood out. Firstly, he's very laconic in his approach. That might be misinterpreted by some as if he's uninterested. Rather, he's just not letting his emotions interfere with his concentration. The second thing I noticed is his speed of movement. This is not the Oscar I remember. Has there been any suggestion that previously he was playing with some sort of encumbrance, such as hip or leg issues, which have now been fixed?

[Scipio 5,868]

Oscar played really well and showed a level of composure that I don't recall seeing before. I know it's one good game this year but here's hoping it's the making of a great defender and he goes on to cement his place in the side.

We looked far better with he and May as the key talls and Lever pushing off to intercept.

[Lord Travis 10,135]

1 minute ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Just looking at that highlights package and two things stood out. Firstly, he's very laconic in his approach. That might be misinterpreted by some as if he's uninterested. Rather, he's just not letting his emotions interfere with his concentration. The second thing I noticed is his speed of movement. This is not the Oscar I remember. Has there been any suggestion that previously he was playing with some sort of encumbrance, such as hip or leg issues, which have now been fixed?

He does come across as laconic, similar to Travis Johnstone many years ago. Just because they appear that way, doesn't mean they're not busting their gut.

I don't recall any specific encumbrance reported, but last year they had him do a mini pre-season mid year to "rebuild his body and confidence". Interesting looking back, as he may have built increased strength that was previously lacking and be moving more freely as a result.

[Kiss of Death 708]

Oscar played well, and i have been a critic. Credit where credit is due.

Best part was his decision making. Went for marks when they were appropriate. Went the spoil when appropriate. 

One of the highlights of the game was in the MFC package - where he made a spoil in a contested marking situation and it went straight down to the two mids who pounced and ran forwards together. Great to see.

[Demon Dynasty 15,161]

Been a huge critic at times but can't fault that performance.  Played his role to aplomb.  Looks alot more comfortable as the 2nd stringer KD with May taking the opp's best and consistently in the team / in form also.

[deanox 8,503]

10 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Just looking at that highlights package and two things stood out. Firstly, he's very laconic in his approach. That might be misinterpreted by some as if he's uninterested. Rather, he's just not letting his emotions interfere with his concentration. The second thing I noticed is his speed of movement. This is not the Oscar I remember. Has there been any suggestion that previously he was playing with some sort of encumbrance, such as hip or leg issues, which have now been fixed?

 

7 minutes ago, Lord Travis said:

He does come across as laconic, similar to Travis Johnstone many years ago. Just because they appear that way, doesn't mean they're not busting their gut.

I don't recall any specific encumbrance reported, but last year they had him do a mini pre-season mid year to "rebuild his body and confidence". Interesting looking back, as he may have built increased strength that was previously lacking and be moving more freely as a result.

I know people used to call TJ "laconic", but I'm not sure it is for the same reason you think they did. 

Laconic means "using very few words"

Perhaps languid ("very slow and relaxed") would be a better choice?

[binman 37,724]

41 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Just looking at that highlights package and two things stood out. Firstly, he's very laconic in his approach. T

Which is why i call him Doctor Cool!

Edited July 13, 2020 by binman
forgot the actual sobriquet

[Deemania since 56 6,119]

30 minutes ago, chook fowler said:

Love a good redemption story. Well done Oscar - even though one swallow doesn't make a summer. Noticed on his prematch interview he developed a good set of guns - obviously been putting in some time in the gym.

Yes, a better game from OMac. Hope to see more of these if selected. 

[Pickett2Jackson 3,904]

He killed Day.  Killed him.  It was total annihilation.

If he continues that sort of form May and Lever will both be freed up to be the players they should be.

[Wiseblood 24,636]

Can't fault the performance at all. Came in and looked more composed and stronger in the contest than last season.

I mean, it's one game though, so let's not get too carried away, but you feel a little more confident in his skill set and what he brings to the side than he did previously.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,381]

13 minutes ago, deanox said:

 

I know people used to call TJ "laconic", but I'm not sure it is for the same reason you think they did. 

Laconic means "using very few words"

Perhaps languid ("very slow and relaxed") would be a better choice?

Thankyou for correcting me. He may be laconic (literally) as I don't think I've ever heard him speak, but clearly that's not what I meant. I'm not sure that "languid" is quite right, though as it means "lacking in vigour or vitality, slack or slow, lacking in spirirt or interest", etc (Source: Dictionary.com). Maybe I should just say that Oscar plays with a minimum of fuss and expression.

[Forest Demon 4,681]

Coupled with a good performance in round 1, hopefully that's the new standard. If so, he's more than worth his spot and is actually pretty important to our structure in terms of freeing Lever and May up. In saying that, he will face bigger tests than Sam Day.

[Alex Flood 245]

The only problem he has is his lateral speed. He’s like a truck, it takes him forever to change directions when his opposition player does.

If this wasn’t a problem we’d be talking about one of the best defenders in the league.

[Bravo Oliver, Bravo 182]

I guess my display name says it all

[Jjrogan 1,189]

I've never quite understood the constant negativity towards him. Statistically he's more than serviceable. Sure, tough to measure defenders with numbers but  since 2017 he averages over 6  one-percenters a game.. which puts him roughly in the top 25 players in the league. He averages very low clangers (just north of 2), 300th in league.  Intercepts are slightly above league average.  

Perhaps not the greatest one on one defenders but only the elite are.  Now that he's beefed up this will only get better.  (Any danger he can hand over his weight program to Weid?)

 

[Webber 9,958]

According to Max ‘On the radio’ (MFC app), Oscar is the best defensive reader of play at the club. This guy has been underrated (a lot of the stuff said about him on Demonland is shameful) his entire career. The very definition of a whipping boy. Max also said that neither of the McDonald brothers ever read anything ‘external’ about their performances. Ever. And just as well.