OSCAR McDonald says it’s unusual not having older sibling Tom training with the defenders this pre-season, but he’s backing his big brother to continue the type of form he showed in 2017, this year in attack.
Tom McDonald kicked 23 goals last season, including 11 from rounds 14 to 16, in an impressive display up forward. Oscar was confident his 24-year-old brother, who has played 126 games, will play an integral role on a more permanent basis in attack this year.
“It’s a bit different [not having Tom train with the defenders], but I’m still living with him, so I’ve got to put up with him, but he’s made his way down forward,” Oscar said with a laugh.
“He’s come off double ankle surgery and he’s only really started to get into full training in the last few weeks, but he’s slotted in really well [up forward] and doing what he does best.
“He’s been really physical and he’s a big presence up forward now.”
Tom kicked seven behinds from his 30 scores last year and Oscar said his accuracy in front of goal was a highlight in his new position last year.
“We saw glimpses of it in 2017 in what he could do. His marking and set shots – he doesn’t miss from outside 40 [metres] on a set-shot, it seems like,” the 21-year-old said.
“He’ll be great for us and it just gives us another [option up forward]. He’s versatile, so even if we need him down back – I dare say he’ll spend most of his time up forward – he’s just that utility that can play anywhere.”
For Oscar, who has played 37 AFL games, including 20 last year, he is eager to be part of a slightly revamped defence, which now features boom recruit Jake Lever, Sam Frost and some emerging types.
“We’ve got plenty of stocks in the tall backs department, with Declan Keilty and Harry Petty coming in as well,” he said.
“We’ve all worked really well together and Lever has brought in a wealth of knowledge from Adelaide, having been in a Grand Final. He’s got plenty of experience, even though he’s a young guy.
“All five or six of us have combined really well and we train at a high standard.”
Oscar, who has put on some considerable size over the summer, said it had been one of his major focuses this pre-season.
“Things have changed. We’ve changed a few of the coaching structures and I think that’s done really well for the team,” he said.
“I had a program to develop a bit of size over the off-season and pre-season, and it gives you a bit more confidence when you’re coming up against key forwards such as Hoges (Jesse Hogan), Pedo (Cam Pedersen) and Tom – you back yourself a bit more in the air to muscle up against them.
“Pre-season has been great so far for us.”
Looking ahead to Melbourne’s pre-season camp on the Sunshine Coast, which will take place from late January to early February, Oscar said it was another great opportunity to hone in on the game plan and build strong relationships.
“It’ll be really good. We head up the Monday after the Australia Day weekend, so we’ll get a couple of days to freshen up and then we all fly up there together,” he said.
“It’s a really good chance to nail in on a game plan for the season, but also spend a fair bit of time with each other.
“We share houses with three or four [players], so you get to know people you may not have spent as much time with … and you mix with other people more than what you normally do if you’re training in Melbourne.”
