Farewell Oscar McDonald

[Fritta and Turner 3,846]

8 hours ago, binman said:

 

Take Mitch Brown. A key position player, taken at pick 15 by Geelong and delisted by them at the same age as Omac is now (24). Went to the VFL for a season before being drafted by the bombers. Being a big Vivaldi fan, he played four seasons with Essendon, before they too delisted him. And then ironically we drafted him - and have just extended his contract for another season. The classic journeyman.

I reckon Omac was pretty stiff to come out of contract when he did and unlucky to be delisted by us.  

Obviously Lever and May being recruited made things tough (though it is fair to say their recruitment was related to the fact omac is a serviceable player not a star), but I actually think recruiting Ben Brown was a big factor.

With Brown in, we suddenly have a surfeit of forwards - Brown x 2, TMac, Jackson and Weeds. Which means that our best player not to play last season, Petty will almost certainly go back (which will be terrific for us - huge potential as player, an excellent mark, good one on one and will slot into the true full back role perfectly.).

Add in Tomlinson, who is too slow for the position we recruited him for (what's that about?) and the possibility Tmac might also go back (ye gads) and we suddenly also have a surfeit of key defenders.

In order of my ratings, contenders next season for key big defensive positions are: May, Lever, Petty, Tomlinson and Tmac (who remarkably we couldn't trade, almost wins a Coleman in 2018 and can't find a suitor two years later).  No need for a sixth key defender.  So goodbye Omac. That's footy. Particularly at the bottom end of the pay grade. 

It would be remiss of me if I let that one pass without acknowledgement.  Well done.

Edited November 24, 2020 by Jontee

[Kent 2,648]

Not a good look  Saints would rather Frawley than Tmac or Omac as a KPB back up

Puts their value into perspective

So sad

[Demonstone 19,760]

Apples and oranges, Kenty.  Frawley is a free pickup, but TMac would require a trade.

[Lucifers Hero 37,351]

59 minutes ago, Kent said:

Not a good look  Saints would rather Frawley than Tmac or Omac as a KPB back up

Puts their value into perspective

So sad

Has a comparison being made by the saints of Frawley vs the Mac bros?  I doubt it.

They will get Frawley for 'chips', excuse the pun. 

That comparison of the saints view of 'value' seems a bit of a cheap shot.

Edited November 26, 2020 by Lucifer's Hero

[BDA 20,737]

11 minutes ago, demonstone said:

Apples and oranges, Kenty.  Frawley is a free pickup, but TMac would require a trade.

And cover TMac's salary which would be far in excess of what Chip will earn.

[Pates 9,540]

I’d also say that Frawley adds leadership and experience to their backline, a way of being a mentor. I’m not as critical of Oscar as some here but I’d still probably be taking Chip over him even with Frawley definitely being at the end of his career. 

[Turner 1,483]

3 hours ago, Kent said:

Not a good look  Saints would rather Frawley than Tmac or Omac as a KPB back up

Puts their value into perspective

So sad

it would also be a sentimental thing, obviously he was kinda forced to retire he didnt announce it till 3 weeks after the season and the only club he would come out of retirement for would be the one his late uncle was famous for. i guess he's thinking this is my way of honouring him and pulling on the colours in his memory

[drysdale demon 4,227]

10 hours ago, Kent said:

Not a good look  Saints would rather Frawley than Tmac or Omac as a KPB back up

Puts their value into perspective

So sad

I think it would be more of a marketing exercise than anything else.

[drdrake 3,057]

I reckon Omac will be at North next season

[Mach5 4,490]

2 hours ago, drdrake said:

I reckon Omac will be at North next season

Over half a dozen delisted FAs will be.

[Elegt 872]

2 hours ago, drdrake said:

I reckon Omac will be at North next season

no chance. omac will not play afl again. 

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,534]

On 11/27/2020 at 7:02 PM, drdrake said:

I reckon Omac will be at North next season

 

On 11/27/2020 at 9:45 PM, Elegt said:

no chance. omac will not play afl again. 

You could both be right of course. Getting in a list is only half the battle. However, if Oscar does make it onto another list, I suspect he is more likely to play than not.

[DeeSpencer 23,510]

The one regret I have about Oscar is he never got a consistent stretch at Casey with a mature body to show he can dominate VFL games.

Could he have played like Steve May does for the AFL side down at Casey - 20 touches, 10 marks, shut down an opponent? And what would that have done for his confidence at AFL level? 

I doubt it would’ve mattered but he became a regular in the AFL side at a young age on the back of a few decent Casey games. And any time he was dropped over the last two years he didn’t get that chance to really re-establish his credentials. Last year they sent him for a mini preseason, this year it was the hubs and scratch matches. 
 

Im at least mildly interested to see how he goes if given a long stretch in the VFL. Does he become an intercept marker and more aggressive participant in games?

[Smokey 4,167]

2 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

The one regret I have about Oscar is he never got a consistent stretch at Casey with a mature body to show he can dominate VFL games.

Could he have played like Steve May does for the AFL side down at Casey - 20 touches, 10 marks, shut down an opponent? And what would that have done for his confidence at AFL level? 

I doubt it would’ve mattered but he became a regular in the AFL side at a young age on the back of a few decent Casey games. And any time he was dropped over the last two years he didn’t get that chance to really re-establish his credentials. Last year they sent him for a mini preseason, this year it was the hubs and scratch matches. 
 

Im at least mildly interested to see how he goes if given a long stretch in the VFL. Does he become an intercept marker and more aggressive participant in games?

I'd be very concerned if our grand plan was to send Omac to Casey so he can dominate and get his confidence up. I'm sure he is even good enough to do that. 

Genuine AFL players dont need that after 6 seasons. 

Cut our losses, all the best Omac. 

[DeeSpencer 23,510]

3 hours ago, Smokey said:

I'd be very concerned if our grand plan was to send Omac to Casey so he can dominate and get his confidence up. I'm sure he is even good enough to do that. 

Genuine AFL players dont need that after 6 seasons. 

Cut our losses, all the best Omac. 

I agree with that, I'm just saying it's a shame he never had that development stage. He was pretty much a starting member of the side from age 20 and then when things really started to stall over the last two years he didn't get that confidence boost and to establish that he's too good for VFL level. 

It's not the perfect metaphor but if Oscar was a cricket batsmen he might've had a couple of 50's and a century in year 2 and was then promoted to the test side. And once he was dropped he didn't get that summer making 1000 runs to show he's ready to come back in.

[deanox 8,825]

 

6 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

I agree with that, I'm just saying it's a shame he never had that development stage. He was pretty much a starting member of the side from age 20 and then when things really started to stall over the last two years he didn't get that confidence boost and to establish that he's too good for VFL level. 

It's not the perfect metaphor but if Oscar was a cricket batsmen he might've had a couple of 50's and a century in year 2 and was then promoted to the test side. And once he was dropped he didn't get that summer making 1000 runs to show he's ready to come back in.

Yeah once he was dropped, he basically ran the drinks as 12th man. He may not have made it back but it definitely made it hard to find form or confidence.

[DeeZee 6,875]

Will train with Carlton in the hope of getting picked up

[jayceebee31 692]

5 minutes ago, DeeZee said:

Will train with Carlton in the hope of getting picked up

I have heard he is speaking to 3 clubs.He definitely is worthwhile and don’t forget we kept him over Frost last year.

[binman 39,148]

15 hours ago, DeeZee said:

Will train with Carlton in the hope of getting picked up

If he plays for Carlton, some of our less optimistic fans would suggest he is more likely to play in a grand final than if he had stayed with us.

[Vipercrunch 2,818]

On 11/18/2020 at 1:50 PM, Queanbeyan Demon said:

I humbly admit I was wrong. 

For 47 years I thought Melbourne supporters were different to those of other clubs. Although we have been, in the main, inept for those years, I thought we had the capacity to show some dignity, respect and, for most of us at least, unconditional love for the institution and by implication, its players.

But I was in denial and delusional. 

What I have learnt from this thread is that many are just as egotistical, righteous, ignorant, envious and insecure bully(boys) as other clubs' supporters and those in the broader community. Oscar is not the enemy, just the mirror. It would serve some to cease projecting their own inner demons (pun not intended) on a soul who gave his best and take a deep look inside their hearts and take stock of their own defects of character. The MFC would be better served, and by implication, the broader society, if we appreciated people like Oscar who's been nothing but a demonstration of grace, decency and commitment.

Best post ever

[whatwhat say what 19,843]

1 hour ago, binman said:

If he plays for Carlton, some of our less optimistic fans would suggest he is more likely to play in a grand final than if he had stayed with us.

not to mention will have oliver as a teammate in 2022 and beyond!

[Bring-Back-Powell 13,477]

O Mac seems like the ultimate confidence player.

When his confidence is sky high, he’s leading a defence that concedes just 6 goals in an elimination final win over Geelong.

When his confidence is rock bottom he’s sent down to full forward just to stay out of the way in a dismal Sydney Swans loss in Cairns.

[maximum bob 462]

5 hours ago, S_T said:

Best post ever

He's appreciated but not up to it. Name me a top six side that would have him in the starting 22.

[Kent 2,648]

On 11/18/2020 at 1:50 PM, Queanbeyan Demon said:

I humbly admit I was wrong. 

For 47 years I thought Melbourne supporters were different to those of other clubs. Although we have been, in the main, inept for those years, I thought we had the capacity to show some dignity, respect and, for most of us at least, unconditional love for the institution and by implication, its players.

But I was in denial and delusional. 

What I have learnt from this thread is that many are just as egotistical, righteous, ignorant, envious and insecure bully(boys) as other clubs' supporters and those in the broader community. Oscar is not the enemy, just the mirror. It would serve some to cease projecting their own inner demons (pun not intended) on a soul who gave his best and take a deep look inside their hearts and take stock of their own defects of character. The MFC would be better served, and by implication, the broader society, if we appreciated people like Oscar who's been nothing but a demonstration of grace, decency and commitment.

Absolute claptrap QD Yes you are delusional

[Pates 9,540]

42 minutes ago, maximum bob said:

He's appreciated but not up to it. Name me a top six side that would have him in the starting 22.

I doubt many people are arguing with the decision to move him on, but just because a top 6 wouldn’t have him doesn’t mean he isn’t of value to another club in the AFL. 

I think he’s a chance of getting another go, even if it’s just as depth/coverage to a team that doesn’t have a lot of defensive options. If he gets that chance can only wish him the best of luck.