TOM McDonald says he was “proud” to play alongside his younger brother Oscar this season.
Oscar played in Melbourne’s final two games for the year, making his debut in Round 22 against Fremantle in Perth. Coincidentally, both brothers were selected by Melbourne at pick No.53 in their respective drafts and played their first game in the second last game of the season.
Speaking to Dee TV, McDonald said “weird” coincidences aside he was thrilled for his brother to get his first game.
“It was a strange feeling, I remember being at home and I heard the phone call [to Oscar] and I ran in there, I was just excited for him,” he said.
“He got to go over to Perth and have a big challenge over there so he didn’t get an easy start or anything like that.”
McDonald said he was impressed with Oscar’s transition to AFL so far.
“I think he’s done really well and he’s gone over his expectations for the year. I thought he would be able to play AFL this year but he’s done a really good job,” he said.
“He’s played key defender against some really good players and only had one or two goals kicked on him in the two weeks which is a pretty good effort.”
McDonald nominated Melbourne’s season-closing victory over GWS Giants as a personal highlight and said that he relished the opportunity to share the win with his brother.
“I was so proud to run out there with him and then to win so he gets to have a feeling of it going into the off-season – if it had been two losses, it’s not depressing but [it’s] nice to have a good feeling going into the break,” he said.
“That’s for all players but also for him and Mitch White [who debuted in round 23]. I couldn’t be happier for him and he deserves every bit of it.”
McDonald said the step-up to AFL has certainly opened Oscar’s eyes to the hard work on the horizon.
“He [Oscar] had a taste of what it’s going to take and it gives you a real understanding of what the off-season is going to look like and the pre-season so he’ll go and have a good rest because it’s a big year for the first year players,” he said.
“He’ll have a rest and then he’ll get back into the training and he’ll be bigger and better next year hopefully.”
