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

[Jindrrk]

Eh....its only Luke's 4th year coming up right? First was good....second was a stinker and last year he was in ripping form and his last game basically was doing a job on Cyril who is arguably one of the most damaging players in the AFL. Done his hamstring and that was it.

He isnt at any crossroads IMO. All is he is, is still developing as a young man and a player. He is fine. He is obviously still maturing as person. Cut him some slack

 

[Passmore]

Eh....its only Luke's 4th year coming up right? First was good....second was a stinker and last year he was in ripping form and his last game basically was doing a job on Cyril who is arguably one of the most damaging players in the AFL. Done his hamstring and that was it.

He isnt at any crossroads IMO. All is he is, is still developing as a young man and a player. He is fine. He is obviously still maturing as person. Cut him some slack

He was on the cusp of breaking out big time last season before the hammy. There's no reason to suggest that he won't continue his upward trend in 2017.

Didn't have a great one yesterday, but it was basically he and Jmac trying to marshall a severely undermanned defence against the cream of our forward line. Waite, Wood, McKay, HIggins, Thomas.....

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

He was on the cusp of breaking out big time last season before the hammy. There's no reason to suggest that he won't continue his upward trend in 2017.

Didn't have a great one yesterday, but it was basically he and Jmac trying to marshall a severely undermanned defence against the cream of our forward line. Waite, Wood, McKay, HIggins, Thomas.....

There wasn't much help back there. I was surprised how vocal he was as well, barking instructions, praising and admonishing other players.

Hates losing, that's for sure.

 

[Passmore]

There wasn't much help back there. I was surprised how vocal he was as well, barking instructions, praising and admonishing other players.

Hates losing, that's for sure.

It was pretty lopsided down there. At one point you had Mullett manning McKay. And when you have Pruess giving one midfield such a huge advantage, it was tough.

 

[Donkey Chop]

I don't think people realise how much we missed Luke when he was out.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Disappointing he hasn't trained in the midfield group this year.

 

[tazaa]

Disappointing he hasn't trained in the midfield group this year.

Coachs orders. We are bereft of talent back there if you listen to the club.
I just think his tank isnt up to it yet.

 

[Black2Blue]

Coachs orders. We are bereft of talent back there if you listen to the club.
I just think his tank isnt up to it yet.

With Lindsay, Ats, Higgo, and the Rat part of the midfield mix, I can see how he might be of more value in the back six this year.

 

[Horizons_00]

Disappointing he hasn't trained in the midfield group this year.

He was actually becoming a great shut down player/defender before he was injured. I feel like they will unleash him into the midfield when he matures a bit more

 

[roos_fanatic08]

He was actually becoming a great shut down player/defender before he was injured. I feel like they will unleash him into the midfield when he matures a bit more

He was a first round draft pick, who was a mid throughout the most of his junior career. If he ends up being a lock down half back flanker who only gets the pill 15 times a game it will be a huge waste of his potential.

 

[shintemaster]

He was a first round draft pick, who was a mid throughout the most of his junior career. If he ends up being a lock down half back flanker who only gets the pill 15 times a game it will be a huge waste of his potential.

I think he'll get there. I too was hoping for this year but I can see some reasons why they'd want to retain some stability on each line and even with Wells, Harvey, NDS out the door there are quite a few looking to stake a claim in the midfield such as Dumont and Hrovat. We were already too heavy with slower mids with Swallow in there last year and have Jacobs to come back in.

We'll have a better idea end of the year I guess where everyone sits.

 

[Psicosis]

He was a first round draft pick, who was a mid throughout the most of his junior career. If he ends up being a lock down half back flanker who only gets the pill 15 times a game it will be a huge waste of his potential.

This. A million times this.

 

[kingcarey1]

Excuse my ignorance.

Why is Luke referred to as "Two Dogs"? And what does it mean??

Is it a crude reference to that Native Indian joke?

 

[Kangaroos4eva]

Excuse my ignorance.

Why is Luke referred to as "Two Dogs"? And what does it mean??

Is it a crude reference to that Native Indian joke?

Yes it is, I believe his dad was involved in the nickname creation.

 

[Orange Peanut]

Excuse my ignorance.

Why is Luke referred to as "Two Dogs"? And what does it mean??

Is it a crude reference to that Native Indian joke?

Yep. His dad's official title was "Chief of Football".
As the chief's son, he had little alternative.

 

[Arden]

Excuse my ignorance.

Why is Luke referred to as "Two Dogs"? And what does it mean??

Is it a crude reference to that Native Indian joke?

As is Hotham tradition, the son of a former player is named for the first thing his father sees, after the future HOF'er is born.

The day that Luke was born, Donald was not in attendance, as he was sleeping off a night of Melbourne Bitter on a couch in the old Kanga Kasino.

When his wife tracked him down and called the club, Schimma awoke Donald to a tirade of abuse. After Schimma wiped the spittle from his face, he informed the Chief of the wonderful news. Donald put some underwear on and wandered outside for a dart and some fresh air, where the first thing he saw was the Atkins brothers going at it behind the change rooms.

And so Luke 'Two Dogs' McDonald was born.

 

[Route57]

After last weeks game, it seemed like he wont be moving into the midfield anytime soon. Regardless if he has the attributes and looks quite comfortable transitioning into the forward 50. I guess his grunt, skills and speed seem to be best suited down back

 

[Scallop Industry Thug]

BOG in the 1st half. Looks a lot stronger, and more assured.

 

[tazaa]

Luke should be playing midfield.

 

[Dan]

If he played regularly the way he played today.....he wouldn't cop any criticism.

 

[the big lebowski]

People complain that Mcdonald should be playing midfield given he was a pick 7. And maybe thats true.

But i see a lot of Dane Rampe in McDonald, who is one of if not the best medium defender in the league.

Would you give up pick 7 for Rampe?

 

[roos_fanatic08]

What I would give to have Patrick Cripps or Zac Merrett instead of this bloke.

Heart and soul type no doubt but is just a blantantly average half back.

Is it that he isn't that good or have we just completely destroyed his development?

Very high cost we have paid for an below average half back.

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

What I would give to have Patrick Cripps or Zac Merrett instead of this bloke.

Heart and soul type no doubt but is just a blantantly average half back.

Is it that he isn't that good or have we just completely destroyed his development?

Very high cost we have paid for an below average half back.

He's being developed as a half back.

Waste of ability IMO.

 

[scottywiper]

My chief criticism of our development. Six goals down late in the game and yet again we refuse to at least try him on the ball.
What do we have to lose???

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

My chief criticism of our development. Six goals down late in the game and yet again we refuse to at least try him on the ball.
What do we have to lose???

That wasn't the plan at the start of the game.