Beau McDonald

[TheBrownDog]

Just realise Big Beau didn't have a Roster Watch thread.

Was excellent against the Dockers yesterday and took an exceptional hanger.

http://www.realfooty.com.au/ffximage/2007/05/06/js07brisfre_main.jpg

[LuckyLuke]

From: http://lions.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/5085/Default.aspx?newsId=43157

McDonald makes his mark

Lions ruckman Beau McDonald's 'speccy' against the Dockers in round 6 is in the running to win the 2007 Toyota AFL Mark of the Year award.

McDonald's mark was unanimously voted as the round 6 winner with 54% of the votes ahead of Leo Barry's (36%) and Darren Jolly's (10%) impressive grabs.

The Lions would like to thank all members and supporters who voted for Beau's mark on afl.com.au.

If you missed this highlight of the Lions vs Dockers clash, be sure to check out the online footage by clicking here (http://www.afl.com.au/markgoal/home.aspx).

[BigCat2]

Now Wood's gone, Beau looks like 3rd in line for a place in the ruck.

He's a much better fit for a "depth" ruckman anyway - Cam would be a top 22 player for most teams.

Looks like Beau will get some games in 2008, for both injuries and allowing the still underdeveloped Leuenberger to have some rest.

[Grimreepah]

Yeah, good chance he'll get a fair few games next year, even if he is the 3rd ruck, so hopefully he stays injury free. He should be able to work well with both Charman and Leuenberger, whereas the Wood/Leuenberger combo was a bit underdeveloped.

[Grimreepah]

End of Season Player Review

Beau McDonald is a player who has been cruelled not only by injuries but also by a rapidly changing game. In 2003 he was one of the best at his craft, but these days there is so much more emphasis on what ruckmen can do around the ground, and in that respect the game has moved away from him.

Beau is also a victim of circumstance. He is still quite good in the ruck and is arguably the second best ruckman on the Lion’s list, playing 8 of the first 9 games of the season, but with the Lions in a development phase there is more of a focus and youth and, remarkably for someone as capable as Beau, he found himself 4th in line by the end of the year, behind Charman, Leuenberger and Wood. The good news though was that he had his first good year with injuries in half a decade and getting plenty of game time, even for Suncoast, will have been good for him.

With Wood being traded at year's end, any speculation about trading Beau subsided. He suddenly becomes an important player again, and with Charman and Leuenberger both having a history of injuries, he may well get plenty of opportunities. And with the Lions looking like a finals side once again, his experience may well come in handy at the end of the year.

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/9537/mcdonaldzj7.jpg

[TheBrownDog]

Happy birthday Bozo!

[Grimreepah]

Link (http://lions.com.au/tabid/5085/News/NewsArticle/Default.aspx?newsId=54310)

McDonald itching to return to finals footy
12:15 AM Fri 14 December, 2007
By Simon White
for lions.com.au

WHEN BEAU McDonald last played in an AFL final the year was 2002. At the time he could have been excused for thinking he would go on experiencing September action right throughout his career.

After all, seven of his 75 career games to that point had been finals. And at 22 he had just played in a second straight premiership as a member of a side at the peak of its powers.

Flash forward to the current pre-season and McDonald, having put a potentially career-ending knee injury behind him, is eyeing off final number eight.

"To get to play another final would be terrific," McDonald told lions.com.au.

"Finals are why you play footy and when it gets to that time of year and you aren't a part of the action, you feel a bit like a second-rate footballer, to be honest.

"Playing in the finals atmosphere is where you want to be and I'd love to get back to that."

The likeable ruckman is one of the most popular figures at the Gabba, but even the most optimistic of fans would likely have bet against his return to AFL ranks after he suffered a serious injury to the posterior cruciate ligament in his knee midway through 2003.

But McDonald persevered and forced his way back into the senior team early in 2005.

While some slight niggles have interrupted his progress since then, the knee has stayed healthy and he is now only nine games away from the reaching the 100-game milestone.

"The main thing I'm concentrating on at the moment is playing a whole season," McDonald said.
"The year before last I got back to play eight games before I hurt my hammy and last year I managed to play 17 games – nine in the reserves and eight in the seniors.

"This year I just want to play every game, so I'm doing a lot of work in the gym and on the muscles around my knee.

"Because I missed so much footy and couldn't do a lot because of the knee, there were parts of my body that were weaker than they otherwise might have been and the hammy was probably one of them.

"It was actually where they took the PCL (graft) from but there's no way of telling if it's related – you can only speculate on that."

With the departure of Cameron Wood to Collingwood during the off-season, McDonald will battle Jamie Charman and young gun Matthew Leuenberger for game time in the ruck.

With Charman established as one of the league's most influential ruckmen, and Leuenberger tabbed as a star of the future, McDonald says the situation is a healthy one for the Lions and the players themselves.

"It's no different to how it's always been; when I got to the club I was competing with Matthew Clarke and 'Crackers' Keating for a spot and then Trent Knobel as well," he said.

"It's the same at every footy club, I think. There are always a few ruckmen competing for spots and you've just got to stay confident and make sure you contribute when you get the opportunity.

"Matty Leuenberger is one of the best young players going around at the moment and I'm probably nearer to the end of my career, so we are at different stages in our football.

"But I'm confident in what I can give to the team and I'm working to get the chance to show that."

The Lions' strong finish to the 2007 season has resulted in many pundits predicting a return to finals action next year.

McDonald says the potential shown by the current squad is similar to that shown by the Lions sides of the late 1990s.

"My first year here (in 1998) we finished last, but the couple of years after that things really picked up and the team went places," McDonald said.

"You can see a little bit of that now. You know blokes like Michael Rischitelli are another year older, a bit bigger and have more confidence in their footy. It's really exciting.

"We see ourselves as being a couple of steps ahead of where we were at the same time last year and, without wanting to get ahead of ourselves, I think we can be quietly confident about playing finals next year."

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/6900/mcdonaldzq6.jpg

[Sherminator.]

Hope he reaches 100 games next year.

[Grimreepah]

Speaking of Beau, I've got to echo the observations of Fairley and Acuguy. Jesus he's thin at the moment. He seriously looks like he has just recovered from an extended period of illness.

I wonder if that is due to increased endurance training over the offseason. Beau isn't exactly known for his around the ground work and maybe that's what he needs to improve to survive in the modern game.

Then again maybe he really is ill.:(

[Tassie4ever]

At his premiership-years best, Beau was a top ruckman, and a key to the Lions' success without a doubt. However, even in his halcyon days, Beau struggled to make any real impression around the ground- ie, marking, contests, tackling, using the very large body to the benefit of those around him. Without these dimensions to his game, with a couple of potential gun new rucks, and with the march of time, he might find his role confined to understudy to the main game.

The game has progressed even in a short few years to a point where one soft spot in any side can quickly be taken advantage of by opposition coaches.

If Beau's new body shape reflects a realisation of the above, then well to the good.

[joshhem]

But that grab he took early last year shows he is capable of doing some good work around the ground...

[xplo]

He's probably feeling a bit like last weeks bread at the moment, but things can change quickly for rucks. 1 injury & Bozo could be playing every game - (touch wood).

[Tassie4ever]

But that grab he took early last year shows he is capable of doing some good work around the ground...

Yes, but the fact that this one grab is memorable says it all. Beau needs to have the pedal to the metal consistently, use the big body to spread the little blokes, follow-up like the Berger, etc.

Personally, I found it quite sad to see Beau running around in the Suncoast last year, looking to have no direction, not demanding of the coaches that he didn't belong there, whippersnappers at his heels.

At this stage of his career, and with his ability, Beau should be an automatic best 22.

In an intraclub several years ago I watched Charman front him up, which is what Charman does best of course. Predictably, there was no real comeback from Beau- no real mongrel.

Beau should drag out a few videos of Brendan Lade- now there's a bloke who's made the most of what he's got.

Most pro footballers don't realise how close they are to missing out, and how privileged they are to have their chance at the big time. For the Lion's sake I hope Beau does turn the corner and grabs his chance when it comes along, as it will.

[danielcanberra]

Townsville community camp, February 2008

high praise from Fairley
By the way Beau Mcdonald is very intelligent. He spoke to our group last night and answered all these questions and spoke beautifully, i wouldn't have picked it but he is a very smart and a well spoken man.

[TheBrownDog]

Beau has retired.

Thanks for the memories Beau and the genuine appreciation you had for Lions supporters.


Injuries end it for Big Beau

Andrew Hamilton http://www.news.com.au/images/sources/h14_thecouriermail.gif
Link to original Article (http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23209010-5003410,00.html)

BATTLE-scarred premiership ruckman Beau McDonald has announced his retirement on the eve of his 11th AFL season.

McDonald shocked the Lions yesterday when he said his body, which has endured numerous operations over a horror five-year stretch, could not withstand another AFL season.

He is one of the most popular Lions, and no one at the organisation who has watched him endure setback after setback would begrudge him his decision.

Coach Leigh Matthews last night confirmed the 28-year-old was left with little choice after another injury-plagued pre-season.

"His body just won't do it," Matthews said.

"He hasn't even been able to do summer training. His body is just shot.

"He has decided that rather than beating his head against the wall trying to get ready to play, it was time to give it up."

Although McDonald has retired, he is officially unfit to play and will be placed on the long-term injury list, which allows the club to elevate a rookie-listed player.

Promising ruckman Joel Tippett is set to make his debut in the NAB Cup against Essendon on Saturday night and would be a leading contender.

"A rookie will be upgraded and I guess the tallest of them would be a chance," Matthews said of Tippett's claims. McDonald is one of football's hard-luck stories, but he can also lay claim to delivering two of the most unforgettable moments in two of Brisbane's AFL premierships.

In the 2001 grand final it was McDonald who took the ball from a throw-in and fed Michael Voss for the snap on goal which sealed the Lions' historic first flag.

His 2002 moment was an act of desperation to be there with his teammates as they celebrated their second flag.

McDonald had been rushed to hospital with a badly dislocated shoulder but once the joint had been put back he hailed a cab and raced back to the ground, jumping the fence of the MCG barefooted and running to join his mates on the stage.

Matthews last night paid tribute to the work McDonald did to try to resurrect his career.

"I can vividly remember at Subiaco Oval when he jumped in the centre square and went down holding his knee and virtually didn't play for three years," Matthews said.

"He persevered and persevered, but he has never been the same player since."

The day Matthews referred to was July 5, 2003 in a game against Fremantle at Subiaco.

The injury was a destroyed ACL which required an immediate reconstruction.

McDonald played no football in 2004 or 2005.

In the five seasons that have passed, he has managed only 16 more games to take his final career tally to 91.

McDonald made a brave comeback in 2006 in his home town of Perth against the Eagles but badly tore his hamstring in a soccer game during the mid-season bye, wrecking his season.

Again last year he fought back for eight senior games, but a hip injury hampered him and the club's 2006 top draft pick, Matthew Leuenberger, grabbed the opportunity and cemented his spot with an unbroken nine-game run to the end of the season.

[Grimreepah]

This is a major blow to our season IMO. The back up rucks are now Mitch Clark (when is he not injured?) and Tippett (is he ready for AFL standard?). Lets hope Charman and Leuenberger have a good year with injuries.

Anyway all the best to Beau.

[Ruse]

Beau was always one of my fave players. always wore his heart on his sleeve. you just gotta admire that.

Best of luck bro.

On a side note, I haven't seen much of tippett. I guess we can always throw in merrett and clark in the ruck but damn I wish Beau didn't retire.

[Lace Out]

As recent as Tuesday Matthews said they traded Wood because they had Beau as back up.
I hope we don't see another season of stop gap rucks-Brennan,Merrett etc...it's ruinous on structure

[awesome_assassin]

Best of luck to Bozo.

I think BrownDog pointed out he only played 90 odd games, gee he was crippled by injuries.

I am a little concerned about trading Cam Wood now. Please GOD no injuries to Charman or Leuy:)

[Grimreepah]

Link (http://www.thewest.com.au/aapstory.aspx?StoryName=459955)

West Australian McDonald told teammates on Wednesday morning about finally ending a horror five-year run with injury and retiring.
After missing almost three years with recurring knee problems, McDonald fought back to play senior football in the past two seasons but said his body had finally had enough.
"He has finally realised that now," Matthews said.
"He certainly persevered but it came to a time when he realised his body just wasn't carrying him any longer."
McDonald admitted he had "no idea" about what the future held but was excited about the next chapter in his life.
"It's a relief. I will take a holiday now but I want to stay involved in football somehow," he said.
"The timing wasn't great before the NAB Cup but I wanted to give myself one last pre-season to see if I could keep going and my body told me the answer."
McDonald was confident he was leaving Brisbane in good hands.
"The young group that is there has the potential to play finals this year - they've got two great ruckmen and youngsters coming through," he said.
"I don't think I am leaving a hole in the team at all."
McDonald played 91 games and kicked 19 goals in a career that spanned 10 years.
He established himself alongside Clark Keating in the Lions' senior ruck division to help Brisbane win the 2001 and 2002 premierships.

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/2292/mcdonaldzx9.jpg

[Warwick]

Big bad Beau has taken up a position with the Qld team for the upcoming Champs.

He has also been appointed a ruck coach for that team.

Congratulations.

[TheBrownDog]

Big bad Beau has taken up a position with the Qld team for the upcoming Champs.

He has also been appointed a ruck coach for that team.

Congratulations.

Good onya Beau.