From the exit door to a Grand Final appearance

by Liam Sheedy

Every year the Grand Final provides plenty of good news stories and one such story this year is that of Tom McDonald.

The 29-year-old will have an important role to play for the Demons in their first Grand Final appearance since 2000 against the Western Bulldogs.

Last year was a disappointing year for Melbourne as they missed finals for the second consecutive season.

McDonald personally had an underwhelming season, playing only nine games and finishing the year with seven goals.

Despite being under contract both player and club thought it was best for McDonald to explore fresh opportunities elsewhere, Melbourne also preparing for the pending arrival of Ben Brown.

The forward would eventually remain at the Demons and was brutally honest in what transpired during the trade period "Yeah (I was) looking elsewhere, no one wanted me"

The tale of the tape

The response from Tom McDonald in 2021 has been impressive. 31 goals from 22 games and averaging 14.3 disposals per match.

This output has been rewarded with a new contract that will see McDonald remain at the club until the end of 2024 and likely finish his career a one club player.

When penning the new deal, the 29-year-old delighted with what has transpired this year to date. “It’s been an awesome season for the team and I’m pretty excited to be able to do this”

Drafted with pick 53 in the 2010 draft Tom McDonald has been there for all the ups and downs at Melbourne and a Grand Final appearance must have seemed a million miles away at various stages.

A reward for perseverance and hard work that may very well finish with a premiership medallion would be a fairy tale result with the Demons chasing their first Premiership since 1964.