TOM McDonald says he can’t wait to play with his younger brother Oscar on a regular basis.
Oscar, who has played three AFL matches, was in Melbourne’s round one team this year, but missed the following week with an ankle injury.
He then returned via the VFL for two weeks, but was sidelined again, this time with concussion for a match.
Oscar returned last week for Casey and has been named an emergency for round seven against the Gold Coast Suns at Metricon Stadium.
The elder of the McDonald brothers said Oscar had had a tough start to the year, but was getting closer to a return.
“He’s had a tough run, with the ankle [injury] and concussion, which has been a little bit frustrating for him,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“He’s doing all the right things at the moment and he’s an emergency this week, so he could play VFL this week, if he’s not needed for the AFL side.
“If that’s the case, then hopefully he can put together another good week of form and then you never know – he might be back. I’d love him to be back playing AFL.”
McDonald said it was important for Oscar to build some continuity in his game, given his disjointed start to the season.
“If he continues doing what the coaches ask of him and keeps attacking it the way he is at the moment, then [he is a chance to return soon], but he’s just been a bit unlucky at the moment,” he said.
“Fingers crossed he plays well in the next week or two and then hopefully he will get back into the team.”
McDonald said Oscar had grown in confidence since the end of last season, when he made his AFL debut against Fremantle at Domain Stadium in round 22.
“I reckon he got a lot of respect from the playing group at the end of last season,” he said.
“He was listening to the feedback he got and he was close to being part of the regular team in the AFL side.
“He got a start in round one this year, but then injured himself and hasn’t got himself back. But he’s got the belief to become a regular senior AFL player. He just needs some continuity in his game at the moment.”
