Tweet
Re: 2013 draft watch
Young Luke McDonald.
Very, very good player. Would be value at their pick 7, let alone pick 25. I'd happily have McDonald:
(Scpaige.com.au)
LUKE MCDONALD
Height: 188cm
Weight: 80kg
Team/Club: Vic Metro/Werribee VFL/Oakleigh Chargers
Position: Half Back Flank/Midfielder
Player Comparision: Trent McKenzie
Draft Range: North Melbourne F/S
Player Profile
Son of former North Melbourne champion and now current Football Manager Donald McDonald – Luke McDonald will follow in his father’s footsteps one way or another, and represent North Melbourne with distinction, as his father did before him. There is plenty to like in McDonald for North fans, for junior McDonald is an elite kick – and not just over 30-50 metres, he hits targets lace out, under pressure from well over 60 metres. Best utilized off a half back, McDonald is calm under pressure, and a brilliant defensive mark. He finds targets by foot with ease, and is a real goer – a brilliant play maker who creates off half back; transitions well through the midfield and can kick goals from outside the 50m arc. It is without doubt, that McDonalds is one of – if not – the best kick of this year’s draft intake, his consistency by foot is unmatched (apart from his game against South Australia), whether that be from long range or a short option or from a kick in – his bullet passes, and poise on the outside of packs will be a welcome addition to the North Melbourne side, which is craving some white-collar polish on what is a blue-collar midfield. The Vic Metro captain is a beauty; he can play any position on the ground with ease, and should make the transition into a goal-kicking midfielder in years to come and hurts opposition with his line-break speed that makes him a genuine 100m player. He’s quite accomplished in a one-on-one contest, elite in the air, and unbeatable once the ball hits the deck, and demonstrated in the National Championships that he can even play a tagging role. On the contrary, McDonald didn’t exactly have a standout championships – which has caused some fans to suggest that they may be able to use their second round selection, but it’s very unlikely this will be the case, for McDonald’s form in the VFL has seen him regularly appear in the best for Werribee, with his explosive speed, endurance and agility being his highlights. McDonald’s character is also highly regarded. Although earning selection for the 2013 AFL-AIS Academy, McDonald opted not to take up the highly regarded squad, already knowing that he is assured of being drafted into the AFL system at years end; this paved the way for Kade Kolodjashnij to get a call up into the team – another act of selflessness for the highly touted teenager.
Quote
“I see him in the top bracket, so (pick) six is probably about right. There will definitely be a bid by clubs below – he’s capable of playing AFL in 2014.”
- A club recruiter speaking to Sam Landsberger from the Herald Sun
Strenghts
Power, agility, strength, very polished player, super versatile, elite kick, elite hands, brilliant mark out in front and overhead, elite reader of the play, great footy brain, high possession winner, displays leadership qualities, a play maker, loves to run and carry, kicks goals, strong tackler and is quite good in traffic, very good 1v1, creates hype and excitement, big endurance base, AFL ready for 2014.
Weaknesses
Can sometimes have those games where despite racking up a lot of the ball, doesn’t have as much as an impact on the game as he should with the amount of posessions. Although McDonald has all the attributes of a A1 footballer, he could make himself more dangerous with the amount of ball he gets.
Honours
AFL-AIS Selection 2013
Vic Metro Captain 2013
Premiership Player for Oakleigh Chargers 2012
All Australian 2012
AFL-AIS Member 2012
Young Luke McDonald.
Very, very good player. Would be value at their pick 7, let alone pick 25. I'd happily have McDonald:
(Scpaige.com.au)
LUKE MCDONALD
Height: 188cm
Weight: 80kg
Team/Club: Vic Metro/Werribee VFL/Oakleigh Chargers
Position: Half Back Flank/Midfielder
Player Comparision: Trent McKenzie
Draft Range: North Melbourne F/S
Player Profile
Son of former North Melbourne champion and now current Football Manager Donald McDonald – Luke McDonald will follow in his father’s footsteps one way or another, and represent North Melbourne with distinction, as his father did before him. There is plenty to like in McDonald for North fans, for junior McDonald is an elite kick – and not just over 30-50 metres, he hits targets lace out, under pressure from well over 60 metres. Best utilized off a half back, McDonald is calm under pressure, and a brilliant defensive mark. He finds targets by foot with ease, and is a real goer – a brilliant play maker who creates off half back; transitions well through the midfield and can kick goals from outside the 50m arc. It is without doubt, that McDonalds is one of – if not – the best kick of this year’s draft intake, his consistency by foot is unmatched (apart from his game against South Australia), whether that be from long range or a short option or from a kick in – his bullet passes, and poise on the outside of packs will be a welcome addition to the North Melbourne side, which is craving some white-collar polish on what is a blue-collar midfield. The Vic Metro captain is a beauty; he can play any position on the ground with ease, and should make the transition into a goal-kicking midfielder in years to come and hurts opposition with his line-break speed that makes him a genuine 100m player. He’s quite accomplished in a one-on-one contest, elite in the air, and unbeatable once the ball hits the deck, and demonstrated in the National Championships that he can even play a tagging role. On the contrary, McDonald didn’t exactly have a standout championships – which has caused some fans to suggest that they may be able to use their second round selection, but it’s very unlikely this will be the case, for McDonald’s form in the VFL has seen him regularly appear in the best for Werribee, with his explosive speed, endurance and agility being his highlights. McDonald’s character is also highly regarded. Although earning selection for the 2013 AFL-AIS Academy, McDonald opted not to take up the highly regarded squad, already knowing that he is assured of being drafted into the AFL system at years end; this paved the way for Kade Kolodjashnij to get a call up into the team – another act of selflessness for the highly touted teenager.
Quote
“I see him in the top bracket, so (pick) six is probably about right. There will definitely be a bid by clubs below – he’s capable of playing AFL in 2014.”
- A club recruiter speaking to Sam Landsberger from the Herald Sun
Strenghts
Power, agility, strength, very polished player, super versatile, elite kick, elite hands, brilliant mark out in front and overhead, elite reader of the play, great footy brain, high possession winner, displays leadership qualities, a play maker, loves to run and carry, kicks goals, strong tackler and is quite good in traffic, very good 1v1, creates hype and excitement, big endurance base, AFL ready for 2014.
Weaknesses
Can sometimes have those games where despite racking up a lot of the ball, doesn’t have as much as an impact on the game as he should with the amount of posessions. Although McDonald has all the attributes of a A1 footballer, he could make himself more dangerous with the amount of ball he gets.
Honours
AFL-AIS Selection 2013
Vic Metro Captain 2013
Premiership Player for Oakleigh Chargers 2012
All Australian 2012
AFL-AIS Member 2012
Comment