Retired #43: Anthony "Walla" McDonald-Tipungwuti - Wins a flag with the Mildura Imperials

[Lore]

Contract Status: Unrestricted Free Agent 2023
My Boy Draft 2023: Pick 5, citizen-erased

 

[Pweter]

Agreed. The last second brace and turn away is what did him.

That is exactly why the MRP had a look I reckon. It seems like the need to protect yourself is a trigger for intending to hurt, otherwise you'd go for the ball.

I don't agree, plenty can change in a split second on a footy field and sometimes you only have time to make a change to protect yourself else risk getting hurt. Slow motion makes it look worse too. There will be dog acts from time to time but most instances like that of Walla should be a free kick at worse, which I'm glad they got right this time.

 

[Vander18]

That is exactly why the MRP had a look I reckon. It seems like the need to protect yourself is a trigger for intending to hurt, otherwise you'd go for the ball.

I don't agree, plenty can change in a split second on a footy field and sometimes you only have time to make a change to protect yourself else risk getting hurt. Slow motion makes it look worse too. There will be dog acts from time to time but most instances like that of Walla should be a free kick at worse, which I'm glad they got right this time.

Agree but tribunal also considers outcome - break ribs doing that and you'd get weeks.

Was also lucky that his timing was absolutely perfect...make that hit a little earlier or later and it would have looked much worse.

Tippa will hurt someone at some point this year - I like it.

 

[Pweter]

Agree but tribunal also considers outcome - break ribs doing that and you'd get weeks.

Was also lucky that his timing was absolutely perfect...make that hit a little earlier or later and it would have looked much worse.

Tippa will hurt someone at some point this year - I like it.

Spot on, I've long been an advocate for the fact the action should be what is the primary consideration for assessing an incident, not the outcome.

 

[MightyDon]

Clear free kick you can't take your eyes off the footy and bump in a marking contest.

If the ball is in dispute, whats the difference between a marking contest and laying a shepherd? He didn't go past the ball to hit the player either.

 

[Paul_Barnard]

I think this guy might be the most unnecessary hyped up player i've seen come through at essendon.
Happy to be proven wrong, just cannot see what the fuss is about.

 

[Zach Package]

The story about the way he acquired McDonald is interesting. He changed it by deed poll in 2014. I think the story is already in this thread somewhere.

McDonald is the last name of the family that housed him when he came down to play with the power in 2009.

 

[Lore]

McDonald is the last name of the family that housed him when he came down to play with the power in 2009.

Yep. But he didn't officially change it until 2014. As far as I know they did everything to help him, and he didn't know any English when he moved down either.

 

[yodellinhank]

I think this guy might be the most unnecessary hyped up player i've seen come through at essendon.
Happy to be proven wrong, just cannot see what the fuss is about.

Raise you kav

 

[ManWithNoName]

I think this guy might be the most unnecessary hyped up player i've seen come through at essendon.
Happy to be proven wrong, just cannot see what the fuss is about.

My thoughts on his two games so far have been that he's very clearly a VFL player. And if he looks like that in the pre-season, he's no chance.

 

[Ambrosia]

My thoughts on his two games so far have been that he's very clearly a VFL player. And if he looks like that in the pre-season, he's no chance.

I see where you're coming from but not many VFL players look anywhere near as good ball in hand as Tippa

 

[Blazeit]

Looking forward seeing how the man truck has progressed. If he has a solid game this weekend he deserves an upgrade for round 1.

(obligatory pump up for my boy)

 

[tesla1962]

How many rookie upgrades are we allowed? Two plus McKenna?

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

How many rookie upgrades are we allowed? Two plus McKenna?

Just 2.

Can be activated at any time during the season.

 

[Maddogm]

How many rookie upgrades are we allowed? Two plus McKenna?

Just 2.

Can be activated at any time during the season.

37 players currently listed so 3 upgrades left to make

 

[Lore]

Just 2.

Can be activated at any time during the season.

My understanding is that we can upgrade two category A rookies as part of our CAS list concessions. If we want to upgrade McKenna through the list concessions we have to ask the GC of the AFL. These two upgrades must be finalised in the next week or two, before the list finalisation cut off we were given as part of our concessions.

We can also upgrade any of the rookies (including CatB international rookies, so Conor McKenna) as our one rookie upgrade at the start of the season - if our senior list still has less than 40.

During the season we have one more upgrade at mid year if there's room on the senior list, plus there's temporary rookie upgrades to replace senior listed players who are put on the long term injury list.

 

[Bombers36]

Really like the way Walla has gone about his NAB cup - hes given himself every chance of playing AFL early this season. His stats aren't great - averages for the NAB cup were;- disposals - 12.7, tackles - 3.3, marks - 3...but its the way he goes about it, and what he does with the ball when he gets it. Could be a real improver this year and hopefully a permanent fixture in the team this year and going forward.

 

[Howard Moon]

Really like the way Walla has gone about his NAB cup - hes given himself every chance of playing AFL early this season. His stats aren't great - averages for the NAB cup were;- disposals - 12.7, tackles - 3.3, marks - 3...but its the way he goes about it, and what he does with the ball when he gets it. Could be a real improver this year and hopefully a permanent fixture in the team this year and going forward.

His aveages dont tell the correct tale, this does:

McDonald-Tipungwuti played in all of Essendon’s pre-season matches showing improvement each time he took the field. 10 disposals in the opening game against Carlton was followed by 12 in the second, and 16 against West Coast in their final hit out.

Constant improvment is the key for me, its working for him, he is grasping his chance.

 

[Big_Birdy]

Watched him against Carlton and then again on Sunday. Thought he improved in leaps and bounds. Should get some AFL time this season.

 

[eth-dog]

People expecting him to play early may be disappointed. NAB form is promising but should be taken with a grain of salt.

 

[DERO]

Hope the little bloke does well.

 

[yaco55]

I'd be shocked if Tipa is not played in Round 1.

 

[daffo]

I think he is a chance for round 1 but isn't a lock.


But... . gun to my head, I say he gets picked for the GC game.

 

[DapperJong]

I don't think he will play...

We've yet to put our best side on the park and he only just doesn't make it imo.

 

[bombreys]

I don't think he will play...

We've yet to put our best side on the park and he only just doesn't make it imo.

Will he play back or forward this year?

Either way, who's ahead of him in terms of small backs/forwards?

I think he gets the call up from Round 1, based on NAB form.

 

[Pweter]

He only spent limited NAB time in the forward line but seemed to make an impact when up there against WCE. Could he more be selected as a specialist small forward with the remainder of the forward spots being for rotating mids and the remainder the talls?

I know he has played more VFL in defence lately but who else plays small forward for us these days?