Terry Wallace says Tom McDonald could potentially be “really good trade bait” to help Melbourne address other areas of need.
The defender-turned-forward hasn’t been able to replicate his 53-goal season in 2018 after suffering a season-ending knee injury last year.
McDonald has kicked six goals in eight appearances in 2020 with Sam Weideman and Luke Jackson striking up a good chemistry inside attacking 50.
Wallace was asked by a caller on AFL Nation whether McDonald fits into Simon Goodwin’s plans once Jackson returns from a hamstring injury.
“I don’t think he (McDonald) fits in,” Wallace said.
“I think he has slowed up to a degree over the last couple of seasons and I think the more athletic forwards are a better option.
“I think playing (Luke) Jackson as a forward along with (Sam) Weideman) is your better option. I think it has shown over the last month that Jackson and Weideman has been a better option than anything else.
“They tried three (forwards) one week and that didn’t work at all.
“I don’t say it’s necessarily a bad thing – Tom McDonald could potentially be really good trade bait for Melbourne so that they can go and get something that they need.
“You don’t want somebody of Tom McDonald’s stature to be a backup. So he wants to play, if there’s not a spot in that side, there’ll be a spot somewhere.”
McDonald, 27, is contracted to Melbourne until at least the end of 2022.