Tom McDonald is a premiership centre half forward, an honour that a lot of the best centre half forwards in the history of the game can not boast about. His contribution to the 2021 flag was structural more than anything, as his body was old enough by that stage to be little more than a shambling revenant at times. Three years later he hasn't regained any of his athleticism, and has been playing roles for the team in defence to fill some pressing needs. Today he will most likely line up at full back against a similarly decrepit Charlie Dixon, with whom he can sympathise.
Tom McDonald is a premiership centre half forward, an honour that a lot of the best centre half forwards in the history of the game can not boast about. His contribution to the 2021 flag was structural more than anything, as his body was old enough by that stage to be little more than a shambling revenant at times. Three years later he hasn't regained any of his athleticism, and has been playing roles for the team in defence to fill some pressing needs. Today he will most likely line up at full back against a similarly decrepit Charlie Dixon, with whom he can sympathise.
T-Mac hits blockade
After leading the Demons' 2018 goal kicking, Tom McDonald struggled to back that form up like most of his teammates, and eventually succumbed to a season-ending knee injury. He dropped his output markedly in every significant statistical category, and his rate of kicking multiple goals dropped from 82% to a mere 26% a season later. McDonald has successfully returned from surgery to the torn meniscus and is taking part in every major drill. An outstanding fantasy scorer at his peak and still in his prime footballing years, the Dee presents as an option with considerable upside... if the rest of his team also bounces back. A bargain basement option in the latter rounds if Melbourne recovers.
T-Mac is the talisman
Maybe it was the fixture, but Melbourne went 2-3 when Tom McDonald missed the first five games last season, then peeled off six wins in a row. They need their CHF fit and firing to make their structure work, as evidenced in the shock loss to St Kilda where he was soundly beaten by Jake Carlisle. He was one of three Demons to rank in the top 15 for score involvements and booted 48.18 himself, then was held scoreless in the losing preliminary final. One of the others was Jesse Hogan, and it is his departure that will concern the Demon forward coaches. They won't need to worry about McDonald because he can play his role as a conduit to goal, while Braydon Preuss sits deep in the manner of Josh Jenkins. And yes, that means that McDonald is now in the old Taylor Walker mould, and his scoring both on the big screen and the little one has a nice floor in a good side. Draft him early.
Old McDonald had a time
Starting in defence in 2017, Tom McDonald swung forward in rounds 8 and 9, stayed there in round 10, then switched to ruck in round 12 to turn the Pies game, then attack again in round 14 where he beat the Eagles in the last minute with his fifth goal... and finally in defence again from round 20. Phew! Amongst it all he put up six fantasy tons and three sub-50 scores, averaging about the same as the two previous seasons with a typical tall's variability. The departure of Jack Watts means McDonald is set for 2018 to play CHF, the hardest position on the ground. He hasn't played there consistently since his junior days, and it can show at times because a good defender can take his measure quite comfortably, as did Daniel Talia. This could end up being a Harry Taylor situation where his scores swing as wildly as his position. He'll be a low end starter who will let you down occasionally.
