Connor Macdonald – Deck of DT 2025

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Why should I pick him?

Whilst it may not have been the 3rd year breakout we hoped for, there is no doubt C-Mac took his game to another level in 2024 just as the Hawks did.

After bumping his average up by 7 points and equally as important, his TOG% by 6 to 81%, Macdonald finished the year like a house on fire, averaging 92 after the bye making him the 6th best scoring forward during that time (of 2025 forward’s, priced as the 13th best now).

He played a live-wire role in the HOKBALL set up, collecting possessions deep in defence as well as in the midfield via transition and a bit of good honest gut running.

In a second half of the year v first half comparison, Macdonald ticked both his mark and tackle numbers up by 1.5pg. I see these two stats as a clear path for him to continue building and becoming one of the best fantasy forward options for 2025.

In a year where the F2-F5 portions of most teams will look almost identical (unless coaches are choosing to go cheap with Macrae up top) we are devoid of a super obvious F1 option. I really like Macdonald as a POD option at less than 1% ownership that could be high risk, high reward for coaches with an easy exit strategy at his Round 4 bye if it all goes pear shaped.

Why shouldn’t I pick him?

There’s a few factors that make Macdonald a high risk option. He only appeared at 8 total centre bounces in 2024 and I don’t see this changing anytime soon. He also plays in the same forward line as one of the best pure forward scorers out there in Dylan Moore. He has a fairly low floor game in him that I’m hoping will come out of his game as he builds his experience in league footy. The early bye is also a deterrent but it is nice that we get a look at his 2025 role albeit on the SCG.

There is definitely risk, as there is with any pick. I guess it all comes down to the appetite you’ve got for it but I do think in a vanilla forward year, it is worth taking a punt at F1.

Deck of DT Rating.

QUEEN

Whilst I haven’t locked C-Mac in yet, I do really like the pick and I hope to see some brave coaches have a crack at it. In his 4th season I don’t see much downside at the price, especially if the Hawks are to continue on their winning ways under Mitchell. Fortune favours the brave! Good luck.

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