List Mgmt. Welcome Tom McCarthy (Pick 1, 2025 MSD)

[HoneyBadger35]

Has an extra half second of processing time already, remarkable given how quickly he’s risen up the grades.

Second quarter the kick through the middle that set up Kelly’s goal (?) was unreal.

Set and forget the rest of the year.

 

[Ace McKane]

Seen enough. Give him the Buddy contract.

 

[kaiserchief13]

Did he apply for the national draft last year?

 

[InTheWings]

Alright lads, let’s get to the real hard-hitting questions.

What number is T-Mac wearing in 2026?

Here are some expected available numbers for him:

4 - Dom Sheed
5 - Jayden Hunt
12 - Oscar Allen
20 - Jeremy McGovern
21 - Jack Petruccelle

Personally I’d like him in #5, would suit him and would be somewhat ironic if he took Hunt’s number, given the stories about him loving Hunt years ago as a Melbourne supporter, and the Instagram DM conversations they used to have.

I reckon Shanahan will get Oscar's #12, T-Mac will go for #4 (or 5 if we give 4 to our top pick in the draft). Gov might give his number to Harry.

 

[Eastcoasteagle]

Give him a hungry jacks franchise already

 

[squashface]

There’s some other lanky gun half back he reminds me of but I can’t quite put my finger on it

 

[Astro7]

T-MAC puts us on track...

 

[InTheWings]

His run, vision, and ball use remind me a bit of Guy McKenna back in the day, though McKenna was tough as nails as well.

 

[Ilkka Sinisalo]

Having the top pick every mid season draft is pretty handy. Like there are always a couple of guys who take a big step forward and would be shaping up as early picks in the national draft. Think about 2017; if there had been an MSD the top pick almost certain would have been either Tim Kelly

11

Tim Kelly

Age

31

Ht

184cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

23.6

5star

K

13.5

5star

HB

10.1

5star

M

3.4

3star

T

4.0

5star

CL

4.9

5star

D

19.9

5star

K

12.3

5star

HB

7.6

4star

M

3.1

3star

T

4.7

5star

CL

3.6

4star

D

21.6

5star

K

10.4

4star

HB

11.2

5star

M

2.8

3star

T

3.8

5star

CL

3.8

5star

or Liam Ryan

1

Liam Ryan

Age

29

Ht

181cm

Wt

76kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.3

3star

K

8.6

3star

HB

2.7

2star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.0

4star

G

1.3

5star

D

9.9

3star

K

8.0

3star

HB

1.9

1star

M

3.3

3star

T

1.6

3star

G

1.3

5star

D

11.4

3star

K

9.0

4star

HB

2.4

3star

M

3.8

4star

T

1.8

4star

G

1.6

5star

, both of whom have turned out to be pretty darned handy footballers.

I’d estimate that the top pick in the MSD is roughly (on average) worth a pick in the 20s in the national draft, which is pretty valuable from a “reject draft.”

EDIT - the big downside of having the top pick in every reject draft is that your side is terrible year after year after year.

 

[Eaglemaniac]

We need to get the ball in his hands every chance we get coming out of the backline.

 

[squashface]

We need to get the ball in his hands every chance we get coming out of the backline.

Tell that to Jack Williams

 

[Rowan18]

Having the top pick every mid season draft is pretty handy. Like there are always a couple of guys who take a big step forward and would be shaping up as early picks in the national draft. Think about 2017; if there had been an MSD the top pick almost certain would have been either Tim Kelly or Liam Ryan, both of whom have turned out to be pretty darned handy footballers.

I’d estimate that the top pick in the MSD is roughly (on average) worth a pick in the 20s in the national draft, which is pretty valuable from a “reject draft.”

EDIT - the big downside of having the top pick in every reject draft is that your side is terrible year after year after year.

Its worked out really nicely that we've been dead last in the mid season for every year of the rebuild. As you've said, it has been the equivalent of 4 extra second rounders. 3 of which look like they will be long term best 22 - that's a great strike rate.

 

[Patron]

Its worked out really nicely that we've been dead last in the mid season for every year of the rebuild. As you've said, it has been the equivalent of 4 extra second rounders. 3 of which look like they will be long term best 22 - that's a great strike rate.

It has been very handy, has helped us fill out what I would refer to as "the roster", but unfortunately, we are still lacking top 10 type picks/talents and subsequently we are still just missing that elite talent. Picks 1 and 2 hopefully this year will go a ways to addressing that - McCarthy certainly has been a godsend.

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

Its worked out really nicely that we've been dead last in the mid season for every year of the rebuild. As you've said, it has been the equivalent of 4 extra second rounders. 3 of which look like they will be long term best 22 - that's a great strike rate.

McCarthy would be a top 20 pick I think ie. first round .

Id like to see us get on the front foot and just sign him up this off season to a long term deal. Lets reward form with long term security

 

[fullbull]

There’s some other lanky gun half back he reminds me of but I can’t quite put my finger on it

He’s got a bit of Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera about him I reckon.

 

[PremiershipNo4]

He actually reminds me of Judd

 

[The Gtrain]

IMO, this bloke has changed the dynamic of the team! He has come in from the 2's, shown hunger and a desire to win the footy. You cant help but think about the ripple it has on the rest of the team, not only that but Mini can use him as an example to the rest of the playing group. His second, third efforts are refreshing, Absolute diamond in the rough.

 

[Tugga27]

He should be even better next year after getting a full pre-season into him.

 

[Donkers]

IMO, this bloke has changed the dynamic of the team! He has come in from the 2's, shown hunger and a desire to win the footy. You cant help but think about the ripple it has on the rest of the team, not only that but Mini can use him as an example to the rest of the playing group. His second, third efforts are refreshing, Absolute diamond in the rough.

It's how clean he is and that he makes great decisions that has been the biggest surprise. I knew he was a good kick and had great speed and plenty of agility but to step up straight away and been so clean and make such good decisions he looks like a guy who's already played 100 games of AFL at HB.

 

[FKASC]

Best part is it has freed up Maric who wasn’t handling the role super well.

IMO Maric should be moved to a high half forward role (basically wing) who can rotate to HBF if required.

Having Maric kicking further up the ground will exploit his ability more. He seems much more confident pulling off tricky passes outside of D50, whereas McCarthy looks very comfortable doing so.

 

[Coasters7]

IMO, this bloke has changed the dynamic of the team! He has come in from the 2's, shown hunger and a desire to win the footy. You cant help but think about the ripple it has on the rest of the team, not only that but Mini can use him as an example to the rest of the playing group. His second, third efforts are refreshing, Absolute diamond in the rough.

If nothing else he just does the basics right.

The same reason Baker and Graham stood out in the first games they played for us. Effort, composure, hitting the first option 90% of the time with the occasional line breaking kick and just always being a passing option for his teammates.

If the rest of the side did half of what he does we’d be a much better side.

Feel like footy is overthought. Best your man, be clean with the ball, support your teammates/ball carrier. Those basics get you a fair way.

 

[TY24]

Think it was in the second quarter - had one kick leaving D50 where he's looked inboard and gone the risky corridor kick, think it was to Flynn from memory. Immediately started swearing at the TV assuming it'd be cut off and turned over like our corridor entries usually are, but he peeled it off.

Super refreshing.

Edit: gif'd it for your enjoyment.

 

[Mudguts12]

He actually reminds me of Judd

He's got that same upright torso style of running and the 5th gear to click into when you already think he's sprinting at 100% like Judd.

That said...hope WC give him the no. 5 from our last gun hb flanker, Brad Sheppard!

 

[Westend]

He should be even better next year after getting a full pre-season into him.

You would think so tuggs

But 12 months in our system ?? Umm yeah ummm

send him back to the Richmond reserves for preseason and then fly him out to play for us

Jokes aside he is breath of fresh air

 

[ziad]

This has been a mid season drafting masterclass. He looks like a 100 game player with skill, speed great poise and decision making. Amazing to think there are likely other such talents hiding out there.