Welcome Welcome to Hawthorn: Connor MacDonald! Extended to 2025!

[Gut Runner]

Can kick a footy a long way too, very classy.

 

[matey]

Some of those handballs to a team mates advantage ……. he is all class. Thank you Mark McKenzie!

 

[HODGEYROAD]

Pick 26 ???? STEAL.

 

[Hawkas1988]

I remember wanting Sonsie with that pick. Didn't know much about McDonald when his name was read out. Boy am I happy we picked him.....absolutely steal!

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[Endorphin Machine]

Pretty impressive, looked very composed with his disposal

 

[cryptor]

I remember wanting Sonsie with that pick. Didn't know much about McDonald when his name was read out. Boy am I happy we picked him.....absolutely steal!

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If we'd used our first on him I'd still be pleased with his output. Thankfully we got Ward as well.

 

[OnWardnUpWard]

Looks a confident kid but also works hard to be involved. Has ability to weave through traffic and shows good hands and nous to pass to advantage. Doesn’t look rushed and oozes class.

 

[toomanysquibs]

He's brought the Polish? Weird group to get behind him with the surname MacDonald!

Damn heteronyms will kill you every time

The Poles always did love a good burger though!

 

[toomanysquibs]

I reckon MacDonald and Ward will both go up a notch this game. No pressure from this - but the second practice match was far better from both and I suspect it will be the same for their second AFL match. That said, much stronger midfield here

Post aged particularly well

 

[threesixpio]

Post aged particularly well

These two want the next level - you can just tell. They’re not scared

 

[threesixpio]

Imagine if Butler, Long and Serong end up good too.

Oh baby

 

[moginie]

Imagine if Butler, Long and Serong end up good too.

Oh baby

On what Serong and Long showed today, it might take a little more time, but they both looked alright. Serong especially.

 

[Nick the Pig]

His ability to calmly release outside runners into space is gold. Just doesn't look panicked or flustered.

The complete opposite of our usual rushed 2m handball aimed at the feet of the first stationary player that's seen.

 

[Dipper]

Steel of the draft!

It's daylight rubbery.

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[chopflop]

I watched him in the VIC M and VIC C game last year and he looked like a really nice inside mid option. Aggressive and super clean etc. He was not too far behind Hobbs for me in that game as a prospect. At the time, it got me thinking he could be a value second-round option because spending pick 7 on Hobbs seemed a bit overkill for a ball-winning bull.

The thing I am absolutely shocked by is his ability to play as a legit HFF. His speed is better than I thought and his class is far better than what I saw in that game. Granted I don't watch too much U18, I am pumped that he has this string to his bow. But, I want to say that when he eventually does go inside (which he absolutely will) people will see those other traits far more i.e., tackle pressure, physicality, cleanliness below his knees in traffic. From what he has shown this year and what I saw last year, he could really be a genuine steal. Like one where we look back and go, how the hell did he get to the second round?!

 

[robiecampbellbrown]

Can I say it, ‘future captain’

 

[SSSSSS]

Does one thing that our coach used to do plenty. Drawing the man before hitting up the handball.

Lot of our mids can learn off him.

 

[Hodginator]

Got a lot of love for this bloke. Had no idea what we had on our hands. Skys the limit.

 

[Randy Campbell]

Steel of the draft!

Looks to be a great pick.

 

[2006_Eagles]

Ward and MacDonald, really great draft

 

[MrPremiership]

Under heavy pressure, at the AO for first time, just still managed to not panic, find the right option.

Composed young man playing in game 2.

Loved his hard running, both ways.

 

[wizzard400]

Looks a confident kid but also works hard to be involved. Has ability to weave through traffic and shows good hands and nous to pass to advantage. Doesn’t look rushed and oozes class.

Well said.

To be able to keep that poise/composure with ball in hand at the contest and then be able to hit a teammate with a hand pass or kick, particularly at AFL level, is basically un-coachable and more or less pure talent.

This kid's gonna be a star.

 

[Brishawk]

View attachment 1356748
Looks to be a great pick.

Hey I already corrected that error. Not cool editing my mistake back into my post

 

[Suntory Boss Coffee]

Love that he weighs his handballs correctly. Stabs it when he needs too, but gives it height when required. Smart player

bump

 

[grumbleguts]

Connor has brought the polish and belief, he's looking like the ready made midfielder we needed.

That was a ridiculous game from a rookie, both he and Ward look very likely to make it at this early stage.

If they can keep it up, watch the rebuild accelerate.

What rebuild? It's built.