COACH Paul Roos has backed key defender Tom McDonald to bounce back strongly against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium this round.

McDonald lined up on Collingwood star Travis Cloke last Monday in the Queen’s Birthday clash, with the key forward winning the Neale Daniher Trophy for his best-on-ground performance.

Although McDonald didn’t spend the entire match on Cloke, the Magpie finished with seven goals in a telling display.

It was one of the few times McDonald has had a tough day at the office this year, given he has had an outstanding season, with many football pundits believing he is in All-Australian form.

Roos confirmed that McDonald would stand the St Kilda great again, with the duo having some fine tussles in recent times.

“Tom will play on Nick and they’ve played on each other before,” he said.

“One of the things about being a defender is that the best defenders that have played the game get beaten every now and then.

“Tom just needs to respond and I’m sure he will. He’s had a terrific season and he got beaten on the weekend and that’s footy.

That’s what happens to the best defenders in the competition.”