Player Watch #11: Luke "Two Dogs" McDonald - Roo til end '26

[MaddAdam]

My favourite bit from Luke Mac yesterday:

Port are streaming into 50 with a 3-on-2. 3rd quarter I think. Luke signals to his teammate -- forget who -- to take on the ball carrier while he charges back to a 1-on-2 against the other two Port blokes. Didn't win it and it ended up a goal to them, but did make a contest and showed balls to back himself.

In his 3rd game.

I also liked the absolute footy smarts - the unteachable footy smarts - to knock the ball out of Impey's hands after that marks in goal square. Umpires blindsided wouldn't have seen, assumed it popped out of his hands.

Saved us a goal at a crucial time.

 

[The Ardent Army]

Already showing a lot of leadership qualities after only 3 games. Pumps up teammates, bumps into and arms across opponents etc and hates to lose a contest. Real shinboner stuff.

 

[Mr_Nyah]

Bad luck on missing the nomination Luke, if you played for gws or got a couple of media bandwagon-flogs you might have been half a chance

 

[GarnerSmash]

Bad luck on missing the nomination Luke, if you played for gws or got a couple of media bandwagon-flogs you might have been half a chance

He's a shoe in for a nom. His output has been increasing over the last three games, he has a strong defensive game and knows how to find the football and has plenty of scope of improvement.

 

[the big lebowski]

Luke's started really well. Though what I thought I'd love about him hasn't stood out.

His kicking has been average and at times poor. And he hasn't had the dash I was expecting.

On the other side, his in close hands have surprised on the upside as has his defending.

Really love the way he goes about it.

 

[Higgins2Waite]

find myself saying stranger and stranger things about young players who play well. i can easily be mistaken for a homosexual when it comes to talking about the bloody roos. especially after this game

Hey, it happens. Luke is that bloody good!

 

[Carnthe]

Love the penetration in his kicking

 

[Higgins2Waite]

Love the penetration

see shinboner spiggs it's infectious!

 

[NiceCunnington]

What is this thread anyway? Bring back the FHOFer megathread.

 

[Augustine]

What is this thread anyway? Bring back the FHOFer megathread.

I agree. The FHOFer thread should become a thing of beauty that will store his whole career in it. Let's keep it all in there mods?

 

[abby]

I agree. The FHOFer thread should become a thing of beauty that will store his whole career in it. Let's keep it all in there mods?

Said perfectly.

 

[marklovesbeer]

What is this thread anyway? Bring back the FHOFer megathread.

Merge pls.

 

[King Corey]

A little warning on Luke, to myself as much as anyone else.

He's started really well but young players tire. Dont' be surprised if he's really flagging around July.

Then despite some of us wishing he gets a run in the VFL as he's almost become a liability to the team and needs an easy kills, he will be played without omission regardless.

It's Brad's way and I'm not debating here whether that's the correct way. But will not be shocked if this is the way his year plays out.

 

[the big lebowski]

A little warning on Luke, to myself as much as anyone else.

He's started really well but young players tire. Dont' be surprised if he's really flagging around July.

Then despite some of us wishing he gets a run in the VFL as he's almost become a liability to the team and needs an easy kills, he will be played without omission regardless.

It's Brad's way and I'm not debating here whether that's the correct way. But will not be shocked if this is the way his year plays out.

Looking at our very soft draw in the second half of the year, i don't think many, if any, players should play all 22 games this year. we should be in a position to rotate players through the team to rest and prepare for injuries.

 

[King Corey]

Looking at our very soft draw in the second half of the year, i don't think many, if any, players should play all 22 games this year. we should be in a position to rotate players through the team to rest and prepare for injuries.

We've never really shown an inclination to rotate players for freshness or even play fully fit over partially fit players. Maybe this is the year we will as you predict.

 

[the big lebowski]

We've never really shown an inclination to rotate players for freshness or even play fully fit over partially fit players. Maybe this is the year we will as you predict.

You'd hope that Scott would have learnt from the last round/elimination final of 2012.

He is a stubborn one though.

 

[Roosurgence]

Luke just needs game time.

Is a competitive beast and attacks the contest with ferocity, but just lacks a little bit of composure at the moment.

Once he gets confident at the level we will see that composure come into his game and that's when he will really shine.

Just a really excitable young kid at the moment, finding his feet.

I think we have a real player on our hands.

 

[Augustine]

What we're yet to see from Luke that we know he can do:

- a big left foot goal from outside 50
- him charging out of the back line with ball in hand

His quick hands, intensity, and tackling have been great to see but when he does these things in the coming weeks everyone is going to lose it!

 

[Augustine]

B Tron Can we merge this?

 

[GarnerSmash]

Hey presto.

 

[Heaps of fun]

Best mods on BigFooty.

 

[Mr_Nyah]

He's a shoe in for a nom. His output has been increasing over the last three games, he has a strong defensive game and knows how to find the football and has plenty of scope of improvement.

Of course he is, just like Kelly was. I'd just rather see the young guy that backed up a 19 disposal game with a 23 disposal game against a top 6 quality side get the nom, ahead of the media love-child that backed up an 11 disposal game with a 17 disposal game against the heaviest of heavy-weights - Melbourne.

 

[GarnerSmash]

Best mods on BigFooty.

 

[chubbspeterson]

I loved it when Jacobs kicked that goal and Luke Mac was yelling "c'mon boys" and pumping his fists to fire them all up.

 

[Thewlis Dish]

Of course he is, just like Kelly was. I'd just rather see the young guy that backed up a 19 disposal game with a 23 disposal game against a top 6 quality side get the nom, ahead of the media love-child that backed up an 11 disposal game with a 17 disposal game against the heaviest of heavy-weights - Melbourne.

Never understood why people get hung up on stuff like this. Kelly and McDonald are both favourites for the award - both are going to get nominated, so do you really think the AFL cares what order it happens in?

Kelly was excellent and kicked two clutch goals; opposition shouldn't matter when you're talking first year players anyway.