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John McDonald

PostPosted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 3:58 am
by NFC
Sturt fans, what has happened to this young man? Played about a dozen games last year as a 17/18 year old however come this season he hasn't had a look in. Looked like a tremendous young talent last year as he found a bit of the ball and his vision and clean hands were a feature. In fact I thought he was a certainty to be drafted and yet he was undrafted and now cannot get out of the reserves. IIRC he was involved in the off field incident which happened around the time of the U/18 Championships. I wonder how much of an influence this had on his game and mental state because he was cut from South Australia's squad which probably ruined whatever chance he had of being drafted.

So tell me, how is he going and why has he gone backwards after a great debut season?

Re: John McDonald

PostPosted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 7:08 am
by Jimmy
injured at the start of the year and working his way back, still very early days and will be a feature on the wing for the blues in the future years.

Re: John McDonald

PostPosted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 9:15 am
by godoubleblues
Jimmy wrote:injured at the start of the year and working his way back, still very early days and will be a feature on the wing for the blues in the future years.


also had to work his way back thru the U19's such was our depth early in the season, has played the last 6 or 7 games in the 2's and is playing well, featured in the club awards last week

Re: John McDonald

PostPosted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 11:42 am
by Blue Boy
Wicks , Sharples, Mcglone and Gum have spent time on the wing this year and all are playin well enough to keep there spots in front of J-mac !!!

He is still a kid and some time in the 2s at his age wont hurt him !!!

Re: John McDonald

PostPosted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 3:37 pm
by NFC
Anyone (like me) still think he's got AFL potential?

Re: John McDonald

PostPosted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 3:41 pm
by Footy Smart
Definately has Potential but there is questions about his speed and attitude. Certainy Rick has told him to smarten up but AFL clubs saw it(not only from the drinking inccident). Has natural football ability though so its all up to him

Re: John McDonald

PostPosted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 9:46 pm
by CUTTERMAN
There's a few young lads at Sturt that are in a similar position as J-Mac, throw in Ben Eckermann, Tom Hurley, Matty Jaensch who all have had good starts in their footy and are finding it hard to get into the seniors, as did Michael Coad a few years back and look at his current form. Go the future Blues.

Re: John McDonald

PostPosted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 10:20 pm
by Footy Smart
Seen a bit of Hurley going to be a star would be at an AFL club if he didnt do his knee last year. Has a good temprement so will make it.

Re: John McDonald

PostPosted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:35 pm
by sturtpeter
John is slowly regaining peak form. He had a Virus earlier but is showing improvement and is a huge talent and highly regarded at Oxford Terrace.

Re: John McDonald

PostPosted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 8:15 pm
by GWW
Footy Smart wrote:Seen a bit of Hurley going to be a star would be at an AFL club if he didnt do his knee last year. Has a good temprement so will make it.


He was eligible for the draft before he did his knee but was overlooked, didn't even get rookie listed.

Re: John McDonald

PostPosted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:09 pm
by sturtpeter
Tom's another outstanding ambassador for the SFC. He's coming along slowly from the cruel injury he suffered at Thebarton last year in our Trial Match.

We have an exciting crop of quality youngsters set to take us into the next decade with confidence and high optimism. :D

Re: John McDonald

PostPosted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:24 pm
by GWW
sturtpeter wrote:Tom's another outstanding ambassador for the SFC. He's coming along slowly from the cruel injury he suffered at Thebarton last year in our Trial Match.

We have an exciting crop of quality youngsters set to take us into the next decade with confidence and high optimism. :D


Weren't some of those young Sturt ambassadors banned from the under age championships last year?

Re: John McDonald

PostPosted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:45 pm
by sturtpeter
Let he who has never sinned cast the first stone. Enougsaid!!

Re: John McDonald

PostPosted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:48 pm
by JK
Very true SP and well said ... Let's not head down the path of old mistakes or allegations lads, just the topic at hand.

Im yet to see the boy play, but Sturt do seem to have an abundance of talent across the grades at the minute.

Re: John McDonald

PostPosted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 3:23 pm
by sturtpeter
Thank you. I agree by the way with you 100% :D :D

Re: John McDonald

PostPosted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 4:47 pm
by smithy
GWW wrote:
sturtpeter wrote:Tom's another outstanding ambassador for the SFC. He's coming along slowly from the cruel injury he suffered at Thebarton last year in our Trial Match.

We have an exciting crop of quality youngsters set to take us into the next decade with confidence and high optimism. :D


Weren't some of those young Sturt ambassadors banned from the under age championships last year?


No, they just didn't make the cut.