Jump to content

Tom McDonald re-signs for 2025

Demonland
Demonland
in Melbourne Demons

Featured Replies

 

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

  • Quote
    • Love 1

    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.

  • Quote
    • Like 5
    • Clap 1
    • 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?

  • Quote
    • Like 1

    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. 

  • Quote
    • Like 4
    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.

  • Quote
    • Haha 2
    • 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

  • Quote
    • Like 12
    • Thanks 5
    • Love 10
    • Clap 5

    Love timeless Tmac!!

  • Quote
    • Thanks 1
    • Love 2

    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.

  • Quote
    • Like 2
    • Love 3

    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 !

  • Quote
    • Like 2

    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.

  • Quote
    • Like 9
    • Love 1

    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.

  • Quote
    • Like 3
    • Thanks 1
    • Love 1

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

  • Quote
    • Like 2
    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

  • Quote
    • Like 4

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

  • Quote
    • Like 2
    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

  • Quote

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

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

  • Quote
    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.

  • Quote
    • Like 8
    • Clap 1
    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.

  • Quote
    • Like 2
     
    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.

  • Quote

    • Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

    Guest
    Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
    Reply to this topic...
    Go to topic listing

    Featured Content

    • PREVIEW: West Coast

      Saturday’s election night game in Perth between the West Coast Eagles and Melbourne represents 18th vs 15th which makes it a tough decision as to which party to favour. The Eagles have yet to break the ice under their new coach in Andrew McQualter who is the second understudy in a row to confront Demon Coach Simon Goodwin who was also winless until a fortnight ago. On that basis, many punters might be considering to go with the donkey vote but I’ve been assigned with the task of helping readers to come to a considered opinion on this matter of vital importance across the nation. It was almost a year ago that I wrote a preview here of the Demons’ away game against the Eagles (under the name William from Waalitj because it was Indigenous Round).  I issued a warning that it was a danger game, based on my local knowledge that the home team were no longer easybeats and that they possessed a wunderkind generational player in Harley Reid who was capable of producing stellar performances playing among men a decade and more older than he.  At the time, the Eagles already had two wins off the back of a couple of the young man’s masterclasses and they had recently given the Bombers a scare straight after their Anzac Day blockbuster draw against the then reigning premiers.

        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 1 reply
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • NON-MFC: Round 08

      Round 08 of the 2025 AFL Season kicks off on Thursday with a must-win game for the Bombers to stay in touch with the top eight, while the struggling Roos seek a morale-boosting upset. Friday sees the Saints desperate for a win as well if they are to stay in finals contention and their opponents the Dockers will be eager to crack in to the Top 8 with a win on the road. Saturday kicks off with a pivotal clash for both sides asthe Bulldogs look to solidify their top-eight spot, while Port seeks to shake their pretender tag. Then the Crows will be looking to steady their topsy turvy season against a resurgent Blues looking to make it 4 wins on the trot. On Election Night a Blockbuster will see the ladder-leading Pies take on the Cats, who are keen to bounce back after a narrow loss. On Sunday the Sydney Derby promises fireworks as the Giants aim to cement their top-eight status, while the Swans fight to keep their season alive. The Hawks, celebrating their centenary, will be looking to easily account for the Tigers who are desperate to halt their slide. The Round concludes on Sunday Night with a top end of the table QClash with significant ladder implications; both Queensland teams are in scintillating form. Who are you tipping this week and what are the best results for the Demons?

      • 8 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • PREGAME: West Coast

      The Demons hit the road in Round 8, heading to Perth to face the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium. With momentum building, the Dees will be aiming for a third straight victory to keep their season revival on course. Who comes in and who goes out?

        • Thanks
      • 382 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • REPORT: Richmond

      The fans who turned up to the MCG for Melbourne’s Anzac Day Eve clash against Richmond would have been disappointed if they turned up to see a great spectacle. As much as this was a night for the 71,635 in attendance to commemorate heroes of the nation’s past wars, it was also a time for the Melbourne Football Club to consolidate upon its first win after a horrific start to the 2025 season. On this basis, despite the fact that it was an uninspiring and dour struggle for most of its 100 minutes, the night will be one for the fans to remember. They certainly got value out of the pre match activity honouring those who fought for their country. The MCG and the lights of the city as backdrop was made for nights such as these and, in my view, we received a more inspirational ceremony of Anzac culture than others both here and elsewhere around the country. 

        • Love
        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 0 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • CASEY: Richmond

      The match up of teams competing in our great Aussie game at its second highest level is a rarity for a work day Thursday morning but the blustery conditions that met the players at a windswept Casey Fields was something far more commonplace.They turned the opening stanza between the Casey Demons and a somewhat depleted Richmond VFL into a mess of fumbling unforced errors, spilt marks and wasted opportunities for both sides but they did set up a significant win for the home team which is exactly what transpired on this Anzac Day round opener. Casey opened up strong against the breeze with the first goal to Aidan Johnson, the Tigers quickly responded and the game degenerated into a defensive slog and the teams were level when the first siren sounded.

        • Clap
        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 0 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • PODCAST: Richmond

      The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 28th April @ 8:00pm. Join Binman, George & I as we analyse the Demons 2nd win for the year against the Tigers.
      Your questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show.
      If you would like to leave us a voicemail please call 03 9016 3666 and don't worry no body answers so you don't have to talk to a human.
      Listen LIVE: https://demonland.com/
      Call: 03 9016 3666
      Skype: Demonland31

        • Thanks
      • 29 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland
    View All