Past Joel Macdonald (2003-2009)

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I think thats it TBD. The position and role he plays in our team is easily covered, and i think the likes of Collier, Hawksley and Hanley offer a little bit more long term than Jmac. He didn't have a great year, but he has a very typical body size and shape, isn't overly fast or hard or anything, he is just a solid rebounding defender. Hanley offers size where as both Collier and Hawksley offer a bit more height and agility i think, and all 3 can play Jmacs role in the team. Hawksley inparticular impressed me as the year went on, was very solid, showed some genuine good defensive skills one on one and more importantly he puts his head over it. He got smashed a few times this year and keeps on going. a trait that will no doubt put him in the good books with Vossy.

Jmac will go one to have a solid career where ever he ends up, and i wish him all the best.
 
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Demons likely to swoop on former Lion Joel Macdonald

Just saw this in the Courier Mail... Would have preferred to see him finish his career in Brisbane, but was not to be! Not a good outcome for us as a club IMHO...

Good luck, mate!
 

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Fair call. I should just admit that I am still feeling sentimental about Bradshaw and Macdonald leaving. When all is said and done, it is a business and the first loyalty that Voss et al should show is to the club and the ongoing development of itslist and the increasing chances of it winning a premiership.

I just tend to get a little attached to players on our list and feel gutted when they leave...

Hadley and Shattock spring to mind... Neither of them set the park alight, but were both valuable in their own way. And were missed in the season following their departure. I hope I am wrong, but I reckon we are going to miss Macdonald and Bradshaw more than we realise.
 
TheBrownDog said:
Bit of a nothing story, all said-and-done.

Good solid player, nothing more. Recruiting him certainly isn't g oing to draw the media ink of a Luke Ball.

The Demons seem to have an abundance of Joel MacDonald types too from what I understand... Bailey mustn't rate them.
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I doubt they have an abundance of players that would get 22 games at your club??
 
TheBrownDog said:
The Demons seem to have an abundance of Joel MacDonald types too from what I understand... Bailey mustn't rate them.
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Far from it TBD.

The core of our defenders who won't branch out of the defensive 6 are all 190cm+ and we have a fair few. Then on the other side of the ledger we have a contingent of defenders who are below 185cm. MacDonald would be a valuable in between (187cm) running hb flanker for us. The only 2 defenders we have in the mould of MacDonald are Grimes (who will be pushed to the midfield over time) and Bell (who is a spud who may or may not improve). Strauss at 185cm has not played a game yet and may also be pushed further up the ground. MacDonald would very much have a niche position with us over the next 3 or 4 years.
 
JMac confirms he was "axed"

While still surprised at being axed by the Brisbane Lions, Macdonald, 25, said he was determined to play a key role in the Demons' resurgence next season.

"It was a massive surprise (getting axed) but they didn't see me in their plans, so I have to move forward and now I have a great opportunity at Melbourne," Macdonald said.
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From what I was told recently (very good source)... JMac is a big believer in work/life balance and has made it clear that he doesn't want football to consume his whole life.

This is a non-negotiable at Brisbane. Not sure what the scenario at Melbourne is, or if he has been given any sort of dispensation.
 

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Always a fan of J-Mac, well actually that's probably not true.. after returning from his knee reconstruction he was a new born player, and I was on the bandwagon from then on. Loved how he threw his weight around and really seemed to dummy/force his way through packs (Rd 14 vs WCE 2007 was a very good example of it).

Spoke to him at the Pride of Lions function late in 07, and he really spoke to me, unlike many players who give the usual 'yeah bodies pulled up good, looking forward to next week' stuff. Shame to see him go, and sadly for him to cellar dweller Melbourne. Best of luck to him anyway :thumbsu:.
 
kizzel said:
Always a fan of J-Mac, well actually that's probably not true.. after returning from his knee reconstruction he was a new born player, and I was on the bandwagon from then on. Loved how he threw his weight around and really seemed to dummy/force his way through packs (Rd 14 vs WCE 2007 was a very good example of it).

Spoke to him at the Pride of Lions function late in 07, and he really spoke to me, unlike many players who give the usual 'yeah bodies pulled up good, looking forward to next week' stuff. Shame to see him go, and sadly for him to cellar dweller Melbourne. Best of luck to him anyway :thumbsu:.
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Had a chat with him at a function last year as well, thanks to Short-sighted Fredrick, and seemed both a good guy and also made statements supporting TBD's comments about work/life balance
 
whatboutbob said:
JMac confirms he was "axed"
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I recall Voss speaking about having too many similar types on the list, and it would seem Macdonald is a victim of this rather than a lack of ability. Like Kizzel I became a fan after his knee reco, partly because he had done so well to turn his career around and partly because he was always there to throw his weight around when there was a scuffle.

I will probably remember him for that game against West Coast, where he continually weaved out of heavy traffic, and delivered the ball with poise and precision. Didn't play as well this year, but never really considered that his spot on the list was in jeopardy.

From his exploits on Mac&Bunnotv he came across as an innovative person who didn't mind having a lend of someone. I think he could be a good media personality if he chooses to pursue that. I wish him all the best.
 
kizzel said:
Always a fan of J-Mac, well actually that's probably not true.. after returning from his knee reconstruction he was a new born player, and I was on the bandwagon from then on. Loved how he threw his weight around and really seemed to dummy/force his way through packs (Rd 14 vs WCE 2007 was a very good example of it).
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The game against WC you refer to was when he showed what he was really capable of. Unfortunately, he perhaps set the bar too high for himself, and didn't always achieve these lofty heights in the time since.
 
For a very young rebuilding team, He is probably a perfect fit for them. He is a solid young defender, but old enough to take a bit of responsibility and show the young guys a thing or two as well. I think he will be great for the Dees next year. Young team can mean a big variance in form, Jmac will give him a pretty consistant output which is great to have in defense.
 

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Past Joel Macdonald (2003-2009)

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