Tom McDonald could be the key to a successful Melbourne bounce back in 2020 after a disappointing 2019, according to Bulldogs champion Bob Murphy.
McDonald kicked 58 goals in 2018 which was the most by any Demons player and was a big contributing factor into the Demons' surprising success that saw them bow out to eventual premiers West Coast in the preliminary final that year, the clubs first since 2000.
McDonald suffered a knee injury in 2019 which limited his season to 15 games and that was just one of a number of problems for the Demons during the season.
Murphy believes that a fit and firing McDonald is the key to holding the Demons together.
“He is the most valuable Demon,” Murphy told SEN’s Bob and Andy.
“In 2018 (he averaged) 6.7 marks a game and 15.5 touches. Last year, 4.5 marks a game and 13.5 touches, so it’s not a massive difference in those raw numbers, but the goals.
“53 goals compared to 18 (in 2019) - there’s a huge discrepancy there. Tom McDonald holds the keys for Melbourne this year.
“He holds them all together.”
