Luke McDonald has had a long five-year layoff between stints where he is fantasy-relevant, a combination of injury and role limiting his statistical output to that of a minor defender since his high marks of 2017. He returned from another long lay-off last week with a new role off a wing, and while his numbers were nothing to write home about he is playing on a team with Aaron Hall and Jack Ziebell, who have become premiums with their roles mopping up the spillages from countless attacks North's midfield have allowed. He would be an interesting POD play from here.
Luke McDonald has had a long five-year layoff between stints where he is fantasy-relevant, a combination of injury and role limiting his statistical output to that of a minor defender since his high marks of 2017. He returned from another long lay-off last week with a new role off a wing, and while his numbers were nothing to write home about he is playing on a team with Aaron Hall and Jack Ziebell, who have become premiums with their roles mopping up the spillages from countless attacks North's midfield have allowed. He would be an interesting POD play from here.
Hit by a McTruck
Picked for every game when available across the past three seasons, Luke McDonald missed nine last year through suspension and then a leg fracture, capping off his worst statistical performance during that run where he lost four uncontested possessions per game and saw his inside 50 and score involvement rates plummet. It seems a bit weird to say that McDonald's job security is a little up in the air given he seems to have a golden ticket at the selection table, but can North continue to play two deep small defenders? His drop off in output happened both before and after the coaching change, so that's not the problem. He is a late speculator pick at best.
Luke, I am your fantasy owner
Entering what should be the prime of his career, Luke McDonald will need to elevate his game in 2019 to deliver on his potential. Often rotated between attack and defence, McDonald has been most effective as a fantasy scorer on a wing. The additions of several wingmen in the trade period means McDonald is likely to find himself in defence more often than not. He showed an ability to score well in 2017 and, although his fantasy outlook for 2019 doesn’t look overly promising, that fact could be enough to earn him a late flier.
Hot hand Luke
Unlike his teammate Shaun Atley, Luke McDonald took full advantage of the opportunity presented him to rotate from half back to wing in 2017, doubling his inside 50s and tackles, and nearly doing the same for his metres gained and score involvements. He bettered his previous best fantasy average by over 20 points, though his efficiency dropped from 83% to 74% to more resemble that of a midfielder. Curiously, he averages 20 points more away from Docklands than at home. McDonald's year is even more notable given that he strung together nine consecutive 20+ disposal games to end it, though none were against top four sides. With the way the fixture is fixed these days, North is going to play a lot more minnows in 2018 so McDonald will enjoy himself in shoot-outs with other teams playing the kids. Caution was warranted with Jamie Macmillan's finish to 2016, but in McDonald's case he's the real deal, and has upside to see him reached for in early rounds.
