Melbourne Demons key forward Tom McDonald signs four-year deal

James Pavey

Melbourne Demons key forward Tom McDonald signs four-year deal image

Melbourne have received a massive boost after key forward Tom McDonald put pen to paper on a new four-year deal with the club.

The 25-year-old was set to become a restricted free agent at the end of this year, but the new deal locks him in with the Demons until the end of 2022.


 

He has emerged as one of Melbourne's leading players in their surge into the top eight in 2018, having kicked 19 goals in his six appearances.

McDonald has been a revelation for the Dees since he moved into the forward line when Jesse Hogan was unavailable for the majority of the 2017 season.

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After suffering a foot injury in the pre-season, McDonald has burst out of the blocks since his playing return in round six, and hasn't kicked fewer than two goals in a game in 2018. 

McDonald is one of the in-form players in the league - in round 11 against the Western Bulldogs, he strung together a dominant showing with four goals, 24 disposals and 11 marks.

McDonald's return has coincided with Melbourne's rise to third on the ladder, with the Dees the best attacking side in the AFL after 11 rounds.

The news of McDonald's signing has marked a better day for the Dees, who are reeling from the news star recruit Jake Lever has been ruled out for the rest of the year with a ruptured ACL.

Lever - who admitted his shock at the diagnosis following the seemingly-innocuous incident - suffered the injury during Melbourne's win over the Bulldogs.

Regardless, with McDonald now locked in, the attention will turn to other free agents such as Gold Coast skipper Tom Lynch and Adelaide midfielder Rory Sloane.

Lynch and Slone, among others, are unlikely to make a decision on their futures until later in the year. 

Melbourne will look to extend their winning streak to seven matches when they face Collingwood at the MCG on Monday in the annual Queen's Birthday clash.

 

James Pavey

James Pavey Photo