2020 Player Reviews: #28 Oscar McDonald

[Pates 9,697]

As an AFL player Oscar is limited but like a few others here I acknowledge that as he's got to 80 games he isn't the worst footballer going around at an AFL club. He's put in some solid performances and of course (like Frost) had his purple patch in 2018. Unfortunately I think for him he's been the scapegoat a lot of the time when as a defender there's only so much he can do if the ball is coming in without enough pressure being put on by our midfield. 

That said I think his time at the club has come to an end, we have a couple of younger players getting to that point where they need to be played and with Tom not going anywhere I feel that there isn't going to be much opportunity for him.

Blunt statements of "he's a spud" and "not AFL standard" are a bit harsh on the guy though.

[Pates 9,697]

2 hours ago, Pates said:

As an AFL player Oscar is limited but like a few others here I acknowledge that as he's got to 80 games he isn't the worst footballer going around at an AFL club. He's put in some solid performances and of course (like Frost) had his purple patch in 2018. Unfortunately I think for him he's been the scapegoat a lot of the time when as a defender there's only so much he can do if the ball is coming in without enough pressure being put on by our midfield. 

That said I think his time at the club has come to an end, we have a couple of younger players getting to that point where they need to be played and with Tom not going anywhere I feel that there isn't going to be much opportunity for him.

Blunt statements of "he's a spud" and "not AFL standard" are a bit harsh on the guy though.

Just noticed that the club actually released an article on the clubs website announcing he's been delisted.

Best of luck to him.

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/836671/mcdonald-s-time-with-melbourne-comes-to-an-end

Edited November 17, 2020 by Pates

[Elegt 872]

4 hours ago, Pates said:

As an AFL player Oscar is limited but like a few others here I acknowledge that as he's got to 80 games he isn't the worst footballer going around at an AFL club. He's put in some solid performances and of course (like Frost) had his purple patch in 2018. Unfortunately I think for him he's been the scapegoat a lot of the time when as a defender there's only so much he can do if the ball is coming in without enough pressure being put on by our midfield. 

That said I think his time at the club has come to an end, we have a couple of younger players getting to that point where they need to be played and with Tom not going anywhere I feel that there isn't going to be much opportunity for him.

Blunt statements of "he's a spud" and "not AFL standard" are a bit harsh on the guy though.

Well clearly he is not afl standard if he is getting de listed

[Pates 9,697]

5 hours ago, Elegt said:

Well clearly he is not afl standard if he is getting de listed

So if another team picks him up he is AFL standard yeah?

[Grimes Times 1,278]

On 11/8/2020 at 8:48 AM, Dr.D said:

That's correct. I think Oscar is borderline vfl, potentially even vfl reserves. That's just my opinion. Ive thought this for a long time and haven't waivered from my opinion. And i could name a dozen other players in country leagues that would be better.

I think the fact that he's played 80 odd games is quite embarassing. And i'd much prefer a guy to make mistakes having a crack (ala Frost) than a guy making mistakes because he is indecisive and timid. 

 

Just to balance the argument out whats your football playing history Dr.???

[Cranky Franky 2,270]

29 minutes ago, Grimes Times said:

Just to balance the argument out whats your football playing history Dr.???

Why - are you going to tell us that only people who have played at are serious level are qualified to comment about football ?

[Elegt 872]

4 hours ago, Pates said:

So if another team picks him up he is AFL standard yeah?

Yep

[Hogans Demons 41]

On 11/4/2020 at 2:35 PM, poita said:

It is absolutely laughable to think that once Goodwin and Mahoney push Oscar out, May (29 shortly, and never played more than 19 games in a season) will be the only genuine key defender on the list. Smith and Hore are undersized, Tomlinson is an oversized wingman and Lever plays well below his weight. None of these is capable of matching up on Hawkins / Cameron or Kennedy / Darling.

Yes, Oscar has his flaws, but to me these mostly relate to lack of confidence. Surely the coaches can get around him and build him up, rather than dropping him every second game.

As an aside, we made it to a preliminary final with Frost & Oscar in the key defensive roles. Two years later, Frost is gone, Oscar seemingly likewise, and we haven't played finals since even after splashing out $1.4M/yr on Lever & May.

 

Oscar is depth in any AFL List.

I don't feel sorry for him. Plays without confidence despite 5 years in  the system. You can literally count the seconds it takes for his brain to send the signal for his hands to move and he is slow as a wet whistle hand to foot!

Poor bloke lacks the sharpness and competitive edge to play at the top level of any sport.

Also the reason we haven't played finals isn't because of May & Lever. Its because we never bothered to replace Hogan after he left until we traded in Ben Brown this year. Fwd's win games. Backmen should just do their job.

[Grimes Times 1,278]

16 minutes ago, Cranky Franky said:

Why - are you going to tell us that only people who have played at are serious level are qualified to comment about football ?

No not at all I never said that.

[Hogans Demons 41]

46 minutes ago, Grimes Times said:

Just to balance the argument out whats your football playing history Dr.???

Comments like this are irrelevant.

[Mydee 288]

1 hour ago, Grimes Times said:

No not at all I never said that.

Just implied it. The point is that once these arguments become personal the focus is shifted away from the club and players onto the posters to the detriment of Demonland. I don't happen to agree with Dr. D but his comments weren't offensive or personal and they are fair.

Edited November 17, 2020 by Mydee