Welcome Welcome to Hawthorn: Connor MacDonald! Extended to 2026!

[The Chad and I]

I expected Ward to be playing like he is.
I did not expect McDonald to be playing so well, so soon.
If we had picked him in the top 5 I would be delighted with his form.

Can't wait to see if he can develop into a proper mid/fwd, but even as a HFF he is going to become quite a player.

 

[MrPremiership]

How much midfield time is he getting? Is it all on the wing?

Can't recall to many CBA for him yet

 

[Judd2Sewell]

How much midfield time is he getting? Is it all on the wing?

Can't recall to many CBA for him yet

No CBA's as yet for MacDonald.

 

[MrPremiership]

No CBA's as yet for MacDonald.

Is that consistent with his junior footy?

 

[chopflop]

Is that consistent with his junior footy?

He was a CBA mid in the U18 and for Vic Country. Will be a CBA mainstay at AFL level.

 

[4THAWN]

Has hit the ground running.

Seems to have a real gas tank on him. Works hard. Like him.

 

[Brishawk]

At present we seem content to use his skills off of the hff. But his movement through congestion and his clean hands speak strongly to his ability to be a centre square mid.

 

[The Chad and I]

Think back to all the names people wanted to take with out first pick instead of Ward...
how many of them would you prefer over MacDonald?

 

[CHUBBSS]

Think back to all the names people wanted to take with out first pick instead of Ward...
how many of them would you prefer over MacDonald?

Great call, it’s funny how luck work sometimes

 

[MrPremiership]

Think back to all the names people wanted to take with out first pick instead of Ward...
how many of them would you prefer over MacDonald?

It's far too early to be making any calls. Macdonald does look good though.

I think the Macdonald discussion at the time was really vs Tyler Sonsie. Interesting that he just had his best game for Richmond VFL this week, 34 disp and a goal

 

[The Chad and I]

It's far too early to be making any calls. Macdonald does look good though.

I think the Macdonald discussion at the time was really vs Tyler Sonsie. Interesting that he just had his best game for Richmond VFL this week, 34 disp and a goal

Some people were even touting Sonsie with our first pick!
FTR I really like Sonsie as a talent.

My point being...we don't know shit about the draft pool and specific players.
Discussion is great but maniacal levels of conviction based on such limited info is stupid.

 

[MrPremiership]

Some people were even touting Sonsie with our first pick!
FTR I really like Sonsie as a talent.

My point being...we don't know shit about the draft pool and specific players.
Discussion is great but maniacal levels of conviction based on such limited info is stupid.

It's the same every year. It's even worse then posters get a hard on for draftees that in reality they have barely watched play.


Remember a fair bit of uproar when we took one J. Roughead over a certain R. Tambling.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Think back to all the names people wanted to take with out first pick instead of Ward...
how many of them would you prefer over MacDonald?

It will be interesting to compare MacDonald to Johnson and Sonsie moving forward.

I think Ward was a majority pick though. Personally I'll be comparing him to Erasmus (who had an impressive debut).

 

[daniel23]

Early days but it's looking like a munch stronger draft compared to 2020.

 

[chopflop]

It's the same every year. It's even worse then posters get a hard on for draftees that in reality they have barely watched play.


Remember a fair bit of uproar when we took one J. Roughead over a certain R. Tambling.

I only watch a few games each year and only post about the players I have seen. I generally feel that's enough to form an opinion on a player and how they might fare and develop as an AFL player. Opinions can be wrong which is ok (which recruiters are often also). I don't like it when posters get angry that we didn't take a certain player. It is better just to wait and see what we got than to declare the draft a 'bust' or a 'win'.

Need we all be reminded of Brodie Kemp > Will Day.

 

[WWSD]

Notice how MacDonald keeps his hands free when there’s a player about to tackle him? And how he also waits for the right option before kicking?

 

[MrPremiership]

Such a smooth mover. I'm trying to think who he reminds me of

 

[flinchfree]

Such a smooth mover. I'm trying to think who he reminds me of

Reminds me a bit of Anthony Condon in both look and game style....

 

[JZedd]

The great thing about his form is the drive Ward will get to be the best. Competitive beast.

 

[GerryLewis]

Such a smooth mover. I'm trying to think who he reminds me of

I keep saying Simon Black. The upright running style, elite kicking and smooth movements through traffic. Even has the little hip shimmy when being tackled.

 

[Blackhawk42]

Runs fast and upright.

Waits for the correct target to open up before delicately placing his kick if need be.

Somewhat undersized but clearly has the potential to run through the midfield, perhaps permanently.

Dangerous around goal.


=

Zac Bailey

33

Zac Bailey

Age

25

Ht

182cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.7

3star

K

6.9

3star

HB

5.9

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.2

4star

CL

0.9

3star

D

12.9

3star

K

7.3

3star

HB

5.6

3star

M

3.9

4star

T

2.4

3star

CL

0.7

3star

D

13.4

4star

K

6.6

3star

HB

6.8

5star

M

3.2

4star

T

2.8

5star

CL

0.6

3star

and Toby Greene

4

Toby Greene

Age

31

Ht

182cm

Wt

85kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

22.7

5star

K

12.5

5star

HB

10.2

5star

M

4.8

5star

T

3.0

5star

G

1.2

4star

D

17.5

4star

K

9.5

4star

HB

8.0

4star

M

4.8

4star

T

1.0

2star

G

2.3

5star

D

26.6

5star

K

12.4

5star

HB

14.2

5star

M

4.8

5star

T

3.6

5star

G

0.0

1star

hybrid.

 

[toomanysquibs]

I keep saying Simon Black. The upright running style, elite kicking and smooth movements through traffic. Even has the little hip shimmy when being tackled.

Simon black with pace, which is a pretty crazy combination of traits to possess.

 

[CaptainWorpedo]

Simon black with pace, which is a pretty crazy combination of traits to possess.

I see a bit of Jordan Lewis in his game. The ability to read the game and get into the right places. Not afraid to put his body on the line.

 

[MrPremiership]

Saw him get to a CBA this week. Good to see

 

[J Shuttlesworth]

Loved Connor's season so far.

Super composed, impressive.