Player Watch #11: Luke "Two Dogs" McDonald - Roo til end '26

[giantroo]

Looked rejuvenated. One of our best out there today.

 

[the big lebowski]

The most pleasing thing for me was the breaking of tackles.

Something he did all the time in 2017 but dropped right off last year

 

[Daniltchenko You Beauty]

Plenty of confidence. Took the game on. Huge positive from today.

 

[giantroo]

Scott also told AFL.com.au this week talented defender Luke McDonald was ready to rebound from a disappointing 2018 after taking his fitness to a new level this summer.
McDonald, 24, is entering his sixth season after an up-and-down 2018 campaign he later labelled as "disappointing".
FULL FIXTURE Every round, every game
The defender was one of the standout performers in North's intraclub game at Arden St on Wednesday, and looked noticeably leaner.
Scott said McDonald was poised to reap the benefits of a "mature" approach to his 2019 pre-season.

"He was a very capable junior who just used to show up and perform. That's certainly not a question over his professionalism – he's always been a really hard trainer – but he understands now what's required to produce up to his capabilities over the long-term," Scott said.

"While he's looking sharp and he's certainly fitter than he's ever been, it's amazing the flow-on effect that has had on his skill level and his cleanliness with his hands.

"You wouldn't think getting fitter helps those things, but it certainly does at this level."

 

[Snake_Baker]

Scott also told AFL.com.au this week talented defender Luke McDonald was ready to rebound from a disappointing 2018 after taking his fitness to a new level this summer.
McDonald, 24, is entering his sixth season after an up-and-down 2018 campaign he later labelled as "disappointing".
FULL FIXTURE Every round, every game
The defender was one of the standout performers in North's intraclub game at Arden St on Wednesday, and looked noticeably leaner.
Scott said McDonald was poised to reap the benefits of a "mature" approach to his 2019 pre-season.

"He was a very capable junior who just used to show up and perform. That's certainly not a question over his professionalism – he's always been a really hard trainer – but he understands now what's required to produce up to his capabilities over the long-term," Scott said.

"While he's looking sharp and he's certainly fitter than he's ever been, it's amazing the flow-on effect that has had on his skill level and his cleanliness with his hands.

"You wouldn't think getting fitter helps those things, but it certainly does at this level."

A-Men!

 

[deano28]

I’m hoping for an injury free year for Luke , regardless of what people might say he has all the tools to be an A grader .
I’m not afraid to say he’s a favourite of mine . He has as much passion for the club as any supporter and for that he will always stay a favourite .

I said before pre season started he will have a big year .
last year was well below par and he wasn’t happy about it , a lot of players will say that after a bad year that they were “ disappointed “ with their year from what I’m told he wasn’t disappointed he was angry .
GO GET IT Luke !

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Scott also told AFL.com.au this week talented defender Luke McDonald was ready to rebound from a disappointing 2018 after taking his fitness to a new level this summer.
McDonald, 24, is entering his sixth season after an up-and-down 2018 campaign he later labelled as "disappointing".
FULL FIXTURE Every round, every game
The defender was one of the standout performers in North's intraclub game at Arden St on Wednesday, and looked noticeably leaner.
Scott said McDonald was poised to reap the benefits of a "mature" approach to his 2019 pre-season.

"He was a very capable junior who just used to show up and perform. That's certainly not a question over his professionalism – he's always been a really hard trainer – but he understands now what's required to produce up to his capabilities over the long-term," Scott said.

"While he's looking sharp and he's certainly fitter than he's ever been, it's amazing the flow-on effect that has had on his skill level and his cleanliness with his hands.

"You wouldn't think getting fitter helps those things, but it certainly does at this level."

Good. Obviously taking everything to a new level over the pre-season.

Hope he has a real breakout year and gets to the levels I thought he would as a junior.

 

[Scallop Industry Thug]

Probably the threat of not having his spot handed to him every single week.

 

[Val Keating]

Probably the threat of not having his spot handed to him every single week.

If he had that sort of mind set he’d be comfortable and kick back with his 3 year contract. Like him or not, from what I’ve been told he wants to be as competitive on the field as he does off it.

 

[Dan]

goodfellaslaugh.gif

 

[Passmore]

Scott also told AFL.com.au this week talented defender Luke McDonald was ready to rebound from a disappointing 2018 after taking his fitness to a new level this summer.
McDonald, 24, is entering his sixth season after an up-and-down 2018 campaign he later labelled as "disappointing".
FULL FIXTURE Every round, every game
The defender was one of the standout performers in North's intraclub game at Arden St on Wednesday, and looked noticeably leaner.
Scott said McDonald was poised to reap the benefits of a "mature" approach to his 2019 pre-season.

"He was a very capable junior who just used to show up and perform. That's certainly not a question over his professionalism – he's always been a really hard trainer – but he understands now what's required to produce up to his capabilities over the long-term," Scott said.

"While he's looking sharp and he's certainly fitter than he's ever been, it's amazing the flow-on effect that has had on his skill level and his cleanliness with his hands.

"You wouldn't think getting fitter helps those things, but it certainly does at this level."

I’ve seen a couple of match sims and the intra club this week and you can certainly see a difference in his disposal. That massive wind up when he kicks is gone. Much more accurate with his disposal. And is getting as much distance.

 

[Horizons_00]

Scott also told AFL.com.au this week talented defender Luke McDonald was ready to rebound from a disappointing 2018 after taking his fitness to a new level this summer.
McDonald, 24, is entering his sixth season after an up-and-down 2018 campaign he later labelled as "disappointing".
FULL FIXTURE Every round, every game
The defender was one of the standout performers in North's intraclub game at Arden St on Wednesday, and looked noticeably leaner.
Scott said McDonald was poised to reap the benefits of a "mature" approach to his 2019 pre-season.

"He was a very capable junior who just used to show up and perform. That's certainly not a question over his professionalism – he's always been a really hard trainer – but he understands now what's required to produce up to his capabilities over the long-term," Scott said.

"While he's looking sharp and he's certainly fitter than he's ever been, it's amazing the flow-on effect that has had on his skill level and his cleanliness with his hands.

"You wouldn't think getting fitter helps those things, but it certainly does at this level."

 

[Val Keating]

goodfellaslaugh.gif

You’re getting to the point where you want him to fail. There’s only 3 reasons you show up on the North board, 1 you like to bag McDonald, 2 you like to bag the club, and 3 you’ve come up with some joke about North/North player/North poster.

Yet you call yourself a North supporter but don’t have the balls to stick fat. You’re not a Shinboner.

 

[giantroo]

I’ve seen a couple of match sims and the intra club this week and you can certainly see a difference in his disposal. That massive wind up when he kicks is gone. Much more accurate with his disposal. And is getting as much distance.

Rhyce Shaw is having a massive impact. Could be the signing of the year.

 

[Dan]

You’re getting to the point where you want him to fail. There’s only 3 reasons you show up on the North board, 1 you like to bag McDonald, 2 you like to bag the club, and 3 you’ve come up with some joke about North/North player/North poster.

Yet you call yourself a North supporter but don’t have the balls to stick fat. You’re not a Shinboner.

Is this based on the 1 year you’ve been here?

 

[Val Keating]

Is this based on the 1 year you’ve been here?

No. Your posting history exposes you.

 

[Dan]

No. Your posting history exposes you.

Oh ok.

I guess multiple memberships and being a player sponsor (to your left) don't count for much these days.

 

[Val Keating]

Oh ok.

I guess multiple memberships and being a player sponsor (to your left) don't count for much these days.

They do count. They don’t mean you get a free pass to piss on the club, it’s players or the posters on this board.

 

[Dan]

They do count. They don’t mean you get a free pass to piss on the club, it’s players or the posters on this board.

I can say whatever I want......warranted or otherwise.

Welcome to an internet forum.

 

[Val Keating]

Gees I went all in there last night

 

[lockheed]

Scott also told AFL.com.au this week talented defender Luke McDonald was ready to rebound from a disappointing 2018 after taking his fitness to a new level this summer.
McDonald, 24, is entering his sixth season after an up-and-down 2018 campaign he later labelled as "disappointing".
FULL FIXTURE Every round, every game
The defender was one of the standout performers in North's intraclub game at Arden St on Wednesday, and looked noticeably leaner.
Scott said McDonald was poised to reap the benefits of a "mature" approach to his 2019 pre-season.

"He was a very capable junior who just used to show up and perform. That's certainly not a question over his professionalism – he's always been a really hard trainer – but he understands now what's required to produce up to his capabilities over the long-term," Scott said.

"While he's looking sharp and he's certainly fitter than he's ever been, it's amazing the flow-on effect that has had on his skill level and his cleanliness with his hands.

"You wouldn't think getting fitter helps those things, but it certainly does at this level."

Delighted that my pessimism about Luke, and about his attitude, may be proven to be spectacularly wrong.

 

[shintemaster]

Delighted that my pessimism about Luke, and about his attitude, may be proven to be spectacularly wrong.

It doesn't sound like it was from the above article though. Not lazy, but not "all in" to be the best he can be. I look forward to a harder edged more mature Luke this year. Has the tools to be a great utility.

 

[LuvtheKangas]

You’re getting to the point where you want him to fail. There’s only 3 reasons you show up on the North board, 1 you like to bag McDonald, 2 you like to bag the club, and 3 you’ve come up with some joke about North/North player/North poster.

Yet you call yourself a North supporter but don’t have the balls to stick fat. You’re not a Shinboner.

Well said.

The Bay-13 puerile, smartarse style is annoying at the best of times, but it's even worse when a supposed North supporter consistently uses it in an anti-North manner.

 

[Kangaroos4eva]

We need him to play well off half back as one of our biggest achilles heels, besides general leg speed, is class and accumulation across half back.

 

[Val Keating]

Well said.

The Bay-13 puerile, smartarse style is annoying at the best of times, but it's even worse when a supposed North supporter consistently uses it in an anti-North manner.

Cheers. To be honest I thought I went a bit overboard. Sometimes things just rub me up the wrong way and I lash out.