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Tom McDonald re-signs for 2025

Demonland
in Melbourne Demons

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I thought this happened last week but maybe it was a 'set to re-sign' thread. 

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    I'm really happy with this news. I thought he was one of the biggest positives of 2024. His kicking out of the backline was far better than it was when he played down there many years ago.

    I'm expecting him to finish top 5 in our B and F.

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    • Whispering_Jack changed the title to Tom McDonald re-signs for 2025
     

    A nice 32nd birthday present for him.

    For years, now, it's seemed to me that he's already been there forever. It's a little surprising he's not nearer 300. He'd need to get deep into 2027, year at a time for sure, and approaching 35 to get there. Can we see any Dustin Fletcher in him?

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    Well deserved extension. With Tom and petty both capable at both ends, would love to see them IN GAME swing and catch opponents off guard in 2025. Feel like it’s a trick that’s known but so rarely utilised. 

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    38 minutes ago, The end is nigh said:

    Well deserved extension. With Tom and petty both capable at both ends, would love to see them IN GAME swing and catch opponents off guard in 2025. Feel like it’s a trick that’s known but so rarely utilised. 

    Well, Tommy kicked the match winning goal after the siren in the granny!
    So l agree.

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    • 7 months later...
     

    FEW DEFENDERS have been more reliable in defence this season than Tom McDonald.

    Anchoring the backline with his trademark grit and discipline, McDonald has stood out in key defensive stats this season—leading the competition in one percenters (55), a measure of the most selfless, team-first efforts on the ground.

    Digging deeper, McDonald ranks No.1 in the AFL for spoils (47), consistently getting a fist in to break up contests and shut down aerial threats. He’s also equal-first for contested defensive one-on-ones (24), winning the moments that matter most deep in defence.

    He’s climbed to 6th in the league for intercept possessions (53), highlighting his ability to read the play and turn defence into attack.

    It’s the type of form that doesn’t always make the highlight reel, but wins games.

    This season, McDonald moved into the top 10 on Melbourne’s all-time games list, surpassing Jeff White and further cementing his place in club history. His consistent output also has him closing in on a spot among the VFL/AFL’s all-time leaders for one percenters.

    It’s been a big year—and the numbers continue to prove it.

    Onya Tom

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    Love timeless Tmac!!

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    I love the statement "has him closing in on a spot among the VFL/AFL's all-time leaders for one percenters." All time? How long, exactly, have one percenters been recorded as a statistic?

    Nevertheless, let's not take away from the fact that he's having a sterling 2025 and has been a long-term reliable servant of this great club.

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    probably more than any other Melbourne player, T.Mac has been written off as useless... Sack Him!, only to turn around and prove people wrong and have people saying glad we Kept him around !

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    Come a long way has Tommy Mac!

    He's having another superb season after his career was halted with injuries in 22-23. Should notch up 250 games later this season if he stays fit. I can't see him being dropped once Lever returns.

    Provided he wants to keep playing, I could see him playing for another 2-3 seasons.

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    Given his career trajectory, I have nothing but admiration for Tmac, his longevity in the game, and the outstanding player he has become - seemingly better year on year. He had to endure the horrors of beginning his career at a Club that was a basketcase, struggled on, moved forward, won a flag, then back, and now is probably our most reliable defender in all aspects of the game. I remember going to watch him at an early preseason training session (which might have been at Sandringham) after being drafted, and he looked like the worst kick of a football I had seen for some time (and that was saying a lot in those days!). It was like watching a kick in slow motion, and very few hit the target. Thought he was a dud pick - mind you he was a regular misser of targets game day for some time and a leading generator of groans from the crowd. But fast forward and he deserves his current lofty stats status... not bad for a kid from Edenhope!! Congrats Tommy on your resigning.

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    1 hour ago, roy11 said:

    FEW DEFENDERS have been more reliable in defence this season than Tom McDonald.

    Anchoring the backline with his trademark grit and discipline, McDonald has stood out in key defensive stats this season—leading the competition in one percenters (55), a measure of the most selfless, team-first efforts on the ground.

    Digging deeper, McDonald ranks No.1 in the AFL for spoils (47), consistently getting a fist in to break up contests and shut down aerial threats. He’s also equal-first for contested defensive one-on-ones (24), winning the moments that matter most deep in defence.

    He’s climbed to 6th in the league for intercept possessions (53), highlighting his ability to read the play and turn defence into attack.

    It’s the type of form that doesn’t always make the highlight reel, but wins games.

    This season, McDonald moved into the top 10 on Melbourne’s all-time games list, surpassing Jeff White and further cementing his place in club history. His consistent output also has him closing in on a spot among the VFL/AFL’s all-time leaders for one percenters.

    It’s been a big year—and the numbers continue to prove it.

    Onya Tom

    The quiet achiever

    Demon Legend

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    Is he mentioned in any of the rolling AA teams, feel like based on that he needs to be in the conversation

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    1 hour ago, roy11 said:

    FEW DEFENDERS have been more reliable in defence this season than Tom McDonald.

    Anchoring the backline with his trademark grit and discipline, McDonald has stood out in key defensive stats this season—leading the competition in one percenters (55), a measure of the most selfless, team-first efforts on the ground.

    Digging deeper, McDonald ranks No.1 in the AFL for spoils (47), consistently getting a fist in to break up contests and shut down aerial threats. He’s also equal-first for contested defensive one-on-ones (24), winning the moments that matter most deep in defence.

    He’s climbed to 6th in the league for intercept possessions (53), highlighting his ability to read the play and turn defence into attack.

    It’s the type of form that doesn’t always make the highlight reel, but wins games.

    This season, McDonald moved into the top 10 on Melbourne’s all-time games list, surpassing Jeff White and further cementing his place in club history. His consistent output also has him closing in on a spot among the VFL/AFL’s all-time leaders for one percenters.

    It’s been a big year—and the numbers continue to prove it.

    Onya Tom

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    Just now, TRACATTACK said:
      1 hour ago, roy11 said:

    Uunbelievable stats! Tom is now our best defender. A well deserved contract extension.

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    45 minutes ago, Fat Tony said:

    I hope TMac can play again next season, but I would not offer him a contract until the year is done.

    Also depends on what Tom himself wants to do, but he seems to have settled into a role and a way of playing that he could maintain for a while yet. His game relies on smarts and endurance, neither of which he's going to be losing any time soon. Also, the reality is that while he's 32, you look at the likes of Dangerfield and Tex Walker, still more than holding their own and 3 years older than Tom.

    I'd offer him one year with a trigger clause for a second year.

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    1 hour ago, red and blue forever said:

    probably more than any other Melbourne player, T.Mac has been written off as useless... Sack Him!, only to turn around and prove people wrong and have people saying glad we Kept him around !

    Where do you dream this stuff up ??? This is completely untrue.

    TMac has generally been well liked by Demonlanders & one of the most popular players.

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    22 minutes ago, Cranky Franky said:

    Where do you dream this stuff up ??? This is completely untrue.

    TMac has generally been well liked by Demonlanders & one of the most popular players.

    Actually, in his early career he was a turnover king, and many Dees supporters wanted him dropped, de-listed etc... He was always liked as a person and a good club man, but his skills detracted from all the good stuff he did. It all turned in and after 2018. I thought he was gone in 2022 but he keeps on improving himself and finding a place. He is a marverl and I hope he gets another year with triggers for a 2nd.

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