Tom McDonald says Melbourne has cause for optimism after unbeaten pre-season

MELBOURNE can reap the rewards of a flawless pre-season record long into the season proper, key defender Tom McDonald believes.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 13: Dom Tyson of the Demons is tackled by Jack Steven of the Saints during the 2016 NAB Challenge match between the Melbourne Demons and the St Kilda Saints at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne on March 13, 2016. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

MELBOURNE can reap the rewards of a flawless pre-season record long into the season proper, key defender Tom McDonald believes.

Most promising for the young side, McDonald said, is the fact that it hasn’t hit its straps in the pre-season wins over Port Adelaide, Western Bulldogs and St Kilda.

It’s something that has been foreign to the Demons in recent years, but the key defender is hoping that their ability to string together the wins is something they can take confidence from as the year rolls on.

“It gives us a bit of momentum going forward and shows us that we can win when we’re still not playing amazingly well,” he said.

“Winning three games in a row is something that will give the guys – especially the younger guys – a bit of confidence that we can do it and when it happens in season if we win one or two on the trot, then it doesn’t mean we go back to losing like we have in the past.”

Key position compatriot Jesse Hogan struggled to find his groove in front of goal on Sunday, and while he slotted two goals, McDonald admitted his teammate “just had one of those days”.

But he isn’t concerned, despite the suggestion from former Demons forward David Schwarz that his style and output was a “disgrace”.

“I think he’s just had one of those days where the marks don’t stick and you don’t kick amazing at goal,” McDonald said.

“If you can kick two goals and still have an impact, and that’s a bad day, it’s still a pretty good day.

“He dropped a couple of marks he would normally take, a couple of set shots where he wasn’t striking them very well. It was just a bit of a bad day for him personally. He had a week off, as well, so it was probably a bit of rust. I’m not too concerned.”

The 23-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of this season, said he sees his future in red and blue but remains adamant that he won’t be rushed into signing on the dotted line.

He admitted he has often had doubts about the club’s prospects, but said he has never been more optimistic than he is now.

“I see a really positive outlook for the club, which I haven’t seen in the five or six years I’ve been here,” McDonald said.

“I can’t honestly say that it’s always looked very bright.

“We’ve been having open chats with the club. It’s not ‘contract talks are on hold’.

“It will happen. It’s slowly coming on, so I’m not too fazed.”

Originally published as Tom McDonald says Melbourne has cause for optimism after unbeaten pre-season