melbournefc.com.au editor speaks to Tom McDonald in the lead-up to his first AFL match

Congratulations Tom on being named for your first AFL match. How are you feeling in the lead-up to your first AFL match?

Yes, really excited. It doesn’t seem real yet, so I just can’t wait to play now, and hopefully [I’ll] have a good game and get a win. I can’t wait for it now.

When did you find out you would be playing?

So, that was on Thursday, at about three o’clock.

And how did you get told?

One of the coaches said, ‘Toddy [Viney] wants to see you in his office’, so I thought to myself, ‘well, this is either really good or bad news’. I had the thought that maybe I was getting a game, and Toddy said that I was in. [I knew I had] to make the most of the opportunity, and he thought I’d do well. 

How did you feel the next morning, knowing you’re about to realise one of your lifelong dreams on Sunday?

I didn’t have the best sleep I’ve ever had last night - [I was] a bit nervous, I guess. But now I’m more excited, and it’s really weird to think about it. [I’ve] worked for so long, and now it’s going to happen. I haven’t really thought about it in that regard - as in I’ve been waiting so long for it - it’s just that I wanted it to happen straight away. So it’s more the factor of now that it has, I can’t wait for it, and hope it comes very quickly. 

I’m sure you were eager to play a match this year, but did you believe in your heart that you would play this year. Or did you think you’d spend the entire year developing in the VFL?

When I was first drafted, and I was just coming to the club, I thought ‘I won’t play in this first year’. But when I actually started pre-season and started playing VFL games, I realised that I could [play], if I played well and had some consistency in my game. So, originally I didn’t think I would, but as the year went on, I thought I should, and could be able to debut this year, and hopefully play well.

You’ve predominantly played down back for Casey. Is that the plan for Sunday?

Yes, I think it is - I think that’s where I’m starting. I’ve played as a defender all year, and I’m pretty sure that won’t change, but I have played forward a lot in my junior career as well, so I’ve got the possibility of going forward. But I’d say I’m mainly a defender.

You’ve even pinch hit in the ruck occasionally.

Yes, I did that in my junior career. I haven’t really much at Casey this year, but it could be a possibility, maybe next year, after I get a bit more body strength.

Are you going to have a fair few family and friends come down from Ballarat?

Mum’s organising family to come down, so I’ve left that to her so that I don’t get caught up trying to get them tickets! I’ve been told to treat it as if you’re preparing for a normal game, and don’t get too caught up in it. 

Are you expecting it to play out how you’ve always envisaged it would be?

I honestly don’t know what to expect. I hope I play well. We’ve had five losses in a row, and I’d like to be able to get a win in my first game. That’s really more important. It doesn’t really play on my mind, if it comes out as a fairytale game - I’m more worried about playing well, doing my bit, and - more importantly - getting a win. 

How much do you think getting this taste of senior football before the end of the season will benefit you going into next pre-season?

It should be a massive help. It all depends on how you play, and if you get a bit of confidence out of it. First year, you only do 60 to 70 per cent of the workload and hopefully I can ramp that up next season, put some more weight on and then have a massive pre-season. Hopefully, [I’ll] take a lot of confidence from the end of this year.