Welcome Welcome to Hawthorn: Connor MacDonald! Extended to 2026!

[SSSSSS]

Was his best defensive game by far.

Just needs to strike a balance between his offense and defense and we have a star.

 

[Fluro Boots]

Is hard to see on tv but not convinced on his positioning. Feels like he sets up overly aggressively. When it comes off he looks like a hero but giving up easy ball to opposition.

The defensive stuff has to be non-negotiable. Poppy was the standard - went hard and chased every contest - even if small chance to impact. Combined with Rioli meant defenders were never comfortable as felt poppy/Rioli were always coming for you.

A few patches from CMac isn’t enough - 8 tackles is a start but had to be every contest, every match, if you’re on a hff these days.

Wasn’t CMac but there was that bit of play where Chol chased hard and implied pressure forced the turnover and he got the mark. In the background you can see ginnivan give up really early. Reckon still too many guys pick and choose when to chase.

His gps stats would be interesting, I'm interstate so only a TV watcher so a lot different perspective to many on here but he seems to always be the one defending and standing the mark on opposition kickouts and very often the next kick as well. To then be involved as a forward he must be covering a lot of ground. The game changes quickly, half forward can be a tough spot to play in the modern game.

 

[TylerDurden]

Covers a serious amount of ground.

Can see a break out game soon.

 

[Roger Rogerson]

Seems to keep finding himself in positions late in games to take what end up being match deciding shots on goal.

At this stage I'm happy to focus on the fact that he's getting these shots at pivotal moments, but he really needs to start nailing them. Most have been dead in front too.

Shaun Burgoyne used to have a habit of finding the ball in his hands in these situations. It was his ability to be clutch and nail those goals that really elevated him.

I’m with you. And the finishing will come. We’ve seen Connor Ward and McKenzie all get regular shots at goal and miss most to date in their careers. This will change for all of them the next few seasons.

 

[The Spirit of Cricket]

I’m with you. And the finishing will come. We’ve seen Connor Ward and McKenzie all get regular shots at goal and miss most to date in their careers. This will change for all of them the next few seasons.

Frenchie made huge strides in that element of his game

 

[The Chad and I]

I’m with you. And the finishing will come. We’ve seen Connor Ward and McKenzie all get regular shots at goal and miss most to date in their careers. This will change for all of them the next few seasons.

Macdonald is settled in the team, but the other two still prob play with doubts about their place.
All still doing well IMO.

I love to see the ball in McKenzie's hands.

 

[GerryLewis]

He plays in a bloody tough spot. The high half forward role can be the death of young players but he's acquitted himself well. I'd love to see him get an extended run on the ball. Reckon he'd explode.

 

[BobHawk]

I'm not taking a shot at the young man and I think he'll make it long term but I hardly notice him out there in general play. He does the occasional impact act such as, kicking a goal but other than that I just don't see him in the action.

 

[HedgeFund]

I'm not taking a shot at the young man and I think he'll make it long term but I hardly notice him out there in general play. He does the occasional impact act such as, kicking a goal but other than that I just don't see him in the action.

I see him out there, and I like what I see.

 

[smish]

He plays in a bloody tough spot. The high half forward role can be the death of young players but he's acquitted himself well. I'd love to see him get an extended run on the ball. Reckon he'd explode.

Give him an extended run in the guts against Richmond

 

[hawkman]

Wasn't a brilliant day for him, but his defensive effort yesterday was extraordinary. He looked hungry for tackles in a way I've never seen from him, and I hope this is a sign of things to come.

It is not tackling that is an issue. I more worry about his defensive running, positioning and focus. We let Houston kick 3 on the weekend from half back. For the 2nd one Macdonald puts a good chase on for the kick by JHF to Marshall but then immediately switches off walking back into the backline and doesn't bother looking around for someone to cover

Edit: Just watched it again. He had to put in a chase on the kick because he switched off as the ball was coming out of the backline. Worpel was just behind him but runs back harder to pressure Bergman to handball it to JHF who has drifted past MacDonald. This means he has to chase but it is too late to make an impact

 

[The Jet From Poowong]

I see him out there, and I like what I see.

It is interesting what people see. Have you ever seen a scratch or a bruise on him after a game in the 3 years he has been on the list?

He has a capacity to keep running at a decent clip, but his burst speed in congestion isnt a strength. Nor his lateral movement. He has to become a specialist forward that takes most opportunities to score goals because he isnt going to get many more goes in the middle anytime soon. For very good reason.

Even JackyG attended a CB on the weekend if my eyes didnt deceive me. Why would that be?

 

[BobHawk]

I'm not taking a shot at the young man and I think he'll make it long term but I hardly notice him out there in general play. He does the occasional impact act such as, kicking a goal but other than that I just don't see him in the action.

Well, after having posted the above I thought today Connor was right in the mix when the whips were cracking. Did some really nice things both offensively and defensively which gave me great satisfaction watching the game.

 

[KermitJagger]

One thing Connor needs to do in his position is make the most of his opportunities. He's pretty hit or miss with that, but I'll back him in. Needs to get to a point where those on the run goals from 40 should be marked in the book before they even leave the foot.

 

[Brant]

Even JackyG attended a CB on the weekend if my eyes didnt deceive me. Why would that be?

We don't & never will have anyone on the list by that name. Ever.

 

[MasterSamurai]

An innate ability to be in scoring position in last qtrs ..means he runs games out and isn't afraid of having a dip when it matters. Coming along nicely, remembering he's a high half frwd which is a tough position to play in.

 

[Dipper]

One thing Connor needs to do in his position is make the most of his opportunities. He's pretty hit or miss with that, but I'll back him in. Needs to get to a point where those on the run goals from 40 should be marked in the book before they even leave the foot.

Yep.

Or if not inked in then a much higher hit rate than he currently has. It feels like he's running about 1 in 4 currently.

 

[La Vache]

Connor actually causes the turnover leading to his goal in the last. Tackled and dispossessed the player, springs up from being horizontal on the turf, runs past about 7 players into the forward 50.

 

[HedgeFund]

Connor actually causes the turnover leading to his goal in the last. Tackled and dispossessed the player, springs up from being horizontal on the turf, runs past about 7 players into the forward 50.

Yes - saw that and was very impressed.

Contender for play of the day.

 

[SpanishBrowne]

Yep.

Or if not inked in then a much higher hit rate than he currently has. It feels like he's running about 1 in 4 currently.

Agree. Really don't like his goal celebrations after he burns so many opportunities. Do the work, pat yourself on the back and then get on with the next thing.

Just a pet peeve really. Otherwise, does tend to provide impact, just needs to tidy up that part of his game

 

[GerryLewis]

Agree. Really don't like his goal celebrations after he burns so many opportunities. Do the work, pat yourself on the back and then get on with the next thing.

Just a pet peeve really. Otherwise, does tend to provide impact, just needs to tidy up that part of his game

Nah. Let the kids express themselves. This young group seem really invested in one another and part of that seems to be a license to be themselves.
CMac was huge in the last quarter, pushed hard up the ground to pressure and squeeze, then ran back super hard to provide an option. Big reason we came away with the choccies in the last.

 

[cryptor]

He’ll only get to do his goal celebrations after kicking goals. If it brings him bliss and motivates him to kick more then I don’t have a problem with it.

And I understand why it bothers some Hawk supporters, but also understand it bothers a lot of opposition supporters even more. So it’s a small price to pay.

 

[SpanishBrowne]

but also understand it bothers a lot of opposition supporters even more

This is a very valid point

 

[Ka Norkers]

great to watch this guy live today. He's like Nash, does just so many things off the ball that get unrecognised on the TV. Must be a favourite of Mitchell by now, 100% team player.

 

[cryptor]