2024 Player Reviews: #25 Tom McDonald

[Demonland 73,265]

The Demon premiership forward managed to get his body right for the first time in years and, as a consequence, he revitalised his career back in defence. Has signed on for another year in 2025.

Date of Birth: 18 September 1992
Height: 195cm

Games MFC 2024: 22
Career Total:  232

Goals MFC 2024: 3
Career Total:  169

Melbourne Football Club: 10th Best & Fairest  - 301 votes

[DeeZone 10,207]

Great effort Tom McDonald, so glad that you came back fitter and stronger in 2024 we certainly needed you holding down CHB for us, the contract extension was well deserved.

[Brenno 289]

Gun!  And future MFC legend IMO. 

[Queanbeyan Demon 6,892]

Wood love to c him get to 250 games. 

[Young Blood 2,635]

Arguably our most consistent player across the season. Brilliant idea to move him down back where he looks comfortable and performs his role so well.

[Bang Na Demon 168]

I also reckon his field kicking has improved a bit the last couple of years

[layzie 34,119]

The Phoenix rose from the ashes in 2024.

Long may it continue..

[BDA 22,955]

An unexpected very solid season

[whatwhat say what 23,060]

vital player when fit, and has been since he lined up as a teenager on nick riewoldt in his pomp

loved seeing him finally having a decent run with his body, long may it continue

[Supreme_Demon 3,903]

On 22/10/2024 at 19:42, Queanbeyan Demon said:

Wood love to c him get to 250 games. 

Same!

Would be a well deserved 250 games at the Melbourne Football Club.

Hope he has another excellent season in 2025!

On ya Macca! 🔴🔵👹

[Timothy Reddan-A'Blew 5,449]

Thank you, all posters here.

Doesn't he seem to have been here forever?

Very happy for a bit more forevering.

[FireInTheBennelly 4,099]

One of the most incredible careers in any sport I reckon.

Massive whipping boy in defence.

Swings forward - premiership.

Light on in defence but coach says he's never going back again.

Goes back and rips it up.

Long may it continue!

[Rodney (Balls) Grinter 10,925]

Look up resilience and tenacity and you'll find a picture of Tom McDonald.  Together with Jake Melksham making it back and impacting a few games, I think T Mac was one of the few MFC feel good/winning stories of the season.  Could be forgiven for dropping his bundle and having a mediocre season at Casey with the personal off feild family trauma he had in the off season.  But I don't think giving up and throwing in the towel is in Tommy's DNA.  I really love the verbal sparing between Tommy and Max.  Max exadurates and talks him down, that he's an ordinary bloke, but it's clear he has huge respect for Tom as a person, a footballer and professional athlete.

There were a couple of games where he was a bit below par and also a few where his frustration with the teams performance/predicament got the better of him and that was clearly evident in his emotional response on the field.  But by in large a really solid year when we needed him down back.  My biggest regret is that Goody didn't use T Mac's refound confidence in cluncking big marks more and swing him forward in games earlier where Petty was struggling to impact up forward - I think we could have pinched a few there with his presence and goal kicking ability.  It probably could also have helped Petty regain his confidence a bit using a defender to lead him to the ball and not having to be the target of defensive spoils every contest.