Logan McDonald looks ready-made for the elite level and has been superb in Sydney's opening two games of 2021.
The Swans are 2-0 and have arguably the league's most promising young list, with McDonald being the face of the youth at the SCG.
Logan McDonald appreciation tweet ๐#AFLSwansCrows pic.twitter.com/9kXBhWVSfN
— AFL (@AFL) March 27, 2021
North Melbourne finished 17th in 2020, allowing them access to Pick 2 in the national draft, which eventually became pick 3 after NGA bids.
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The Kangaroos selected midfielder Will Phillips, while Sydney went for key forward McDonald, who has hit the ground running.
North Melbourne had a key position spot to fill on its list after Ben Brown was traded to Melbourne, leaving Nick Larkey as the only remaining key target.
Phillips averaged 22 disposals and four tackles in 10 games for the Oakleigh Chargers in 2019 before sitting out the 2020 season due to the pandemic.
The inside midfielder is a curious pick for the Kangaroos, who aren't as thin on ball-winners as they are key forwards.
Heading into a full rebuild, this draft was critical to North's list, and while Phillips may well be a very good footballer at the level, McDonald's first two games will leave Kangaroos fans asking questions.
Will North Melbourne regret passing over Logan McDonald in the draft? pic.twitter.com/eSdwbdLj5D
— SEN 1116 (@1116sen) March 29, 2021
Speaking on AFL.com.au, Kane Cornes said the Kangaroos may have got this one wrong.
โYou do wonder about North Melbourneโs drafting,โ he toldย AFL.com.auโs The Round So Far.
โThere was a lot of talk that Logan McDonald was going to go pick No.1 or No.2 in the draft after (Jamarra) Ugle-Hagan.
โThe Crows went for Riley Thilthorpe and North Melbourne went for Will Phillips, who is a smaller midfield-type that we havenโt seen yet.
โYouโd think with Ben Brown leaving, and then rebuilding, you would have gone for the key position prospect.
โSydney would have been laughing on draft night when they called out Will Phillips, now, granted we havenโt seen him play, but heโd want to be good.
โKey forwards, as we know, are hard to come by, as North Melbourne know. They donโt have one, they had an opportunity to draft one, and they didnโt.
โAt the moment, theyโre being made to look foolish.โ
McDonald has kicked five goals in two games and is rated elite for marks inside 50, averaging 2.5 a game so far this season.
Phillips is yet to make his debut for the Kangaroos.
