WITH the New Year here, melbournefc.com.au takes a look at each player’s key stats entering 2016, as coach Paul Roos provides a pre-season update on every squad member. Be sure to check back each day on melbournefc.com.au, as we present all 45 players in the first half of January …
HERITIER LUMUMBA – No.8
Date of birth: 15/11/1986 (29 years old)
Height: 188cm, Weight: 88kg
AFL debut: 2005, MFC debut: 2015
AFL games: 218 (Collingwood 199, Melbourne 19), AFL goals: 30 (Collingwood 28, Melbourne 2)
Position: Defender/midfielder
Recruited: Ross Moyne (WA)/Collingwood
Drafted: 2005 NAB AFL Rookie Draft (No.20); 2006 rookie elevation; 2014 NAB AFL Draft traded by Collingwood for Mitch Clark
Honours: Collingwood premiership side 2010; All-Australian 2010; Collingwood pre-season premiership side 2011
“‘H’ continues to bring energy and enthusiasm to the club, despite being in rehab due to off-season surgery on both ankles. Although it’s tough when you’re in rehab and you can’t do much, the players love having him around the club – whether it’s in meetings or on the track. He’s in a really good space at the moment and I reckon his second year is going to be really exciting.” – Paul Roos
OSCAR McDONALD – No.28
Date of birth: 18/3/1996 (19 years old)
Height: 196cm, Weight: 82kg
AFL debut: 2015
AFL games: 2, AFL goals: 0
Position: Tall defender
Recruited: Edenhope-Apsley (VIC)/North Ballarat Rebels (VIC)
Drafted: 2014 NAB AFL Draft (No. 53)
“Oscar has probably been a little bit inconsistent. Sometimes when players come into their second year, they know what to expect, but it’s just hard to concentrate all of the time. His good stuff is really, really good and he’s been pretty consistent with his running. Oscar finished off the 2015 season in the seniors and it’s pretty exciting to think what he can deliver for the club.” – Paul Roos
TOM McDONALD – No.25
Date of birth: 18/9/1992 (23 years old)
Height: 194cm, Weight: 92kg
AFL debut: 2011
AFL games: 82, AFL goals: 7
Position: Key defender
Recruited: Edenhope-Apsley (Vic)/North Ballarat Rebels (Vic)
Drafted: 2010 NAB AFL Draft (No.53)
Honours: Third Best and Fairest 2012, 2015; NAB AFL Rising Star nominee 2012
“Tommy’s a professional. He comes back in great shape every year. He’s really building his body up and he continues to work really hard on his craft. The big thing about Tommy is that he wants to be a very, very good AFL player.” – Paul Roos
