Strictly business
STANDOUT defender Meghan McDonald says there will be no extra motivation to beat her former side when Geelong travels to Whitten Oval to face the Bulldogs tomorrow night.
McDonald was part of the Dogs’ inaugural squad in 2017 where she played four matches, but was cut at season’s end before the Dogs went on to win last year’s premiership.
The forward-turned-defender is at peace with her delisting, enjoying a second chance at the Cattery.
McDonald was one of the shining lights in the Cats’ onepoint win over Collingwood, playing a new role on the last line of defence where she was the leading intercept player on the ground.
But that task could become tougher if star goalkicker Katie Brennan lines up at full forward for the Dogs.
“I’ve played against KB during training about two years ago and that’s certainly a prospect, but I feel like a different player now, so I don’t know how it would go,” McDonald said.
“She was certainly a much fitter person than I was back then — hopefully that’s changed — but I think it’s a balance between how do we match up on them and how do we keep that structure.”
Tom Stewart has played a key role in teaching McDonald and her fellow defenders about positioning and how to balance defence and attack.
McDonald said she not only felt comfortable in her new role, but also felt no pressure in trying to fit into her new club.
“I think everyone came in on the same level,” she said.
“I walked in day one here and I was in the backs group and go from there.
“What’s more, they (the VFLW players) have been real- ly welcoming of the people that have come in. But in all honesty, it probably helps that it was an expansion club and new for everyone.
“If I had have gone to the draft and been lucky enough to get picked up, I probably would have felt that (pressure) more with an established AFLW backline.”
But McDonald said there would be no personal motivation to beat her former side, other than to notch another win for the Cats.
“They’ve obviously got one of the best forwards in the comp, so that’s a concern for the whole backline, but in terms of them being my old team, I don’t really necessarily think of them like that,” she said.
“They obviously had a completely different season and a very successful one, which only ratifies the decisions they made at the end of season one.
“Would I like to win? Yes I would, but personally there’s nothing motivating.”