STRENGTHS:

+ Contested marking
+ Athleticism
+ Competitiveness
+ Forward craft
+ Ground balls
+ Follow-up work

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Set shot consistency
- Composure

PROFILE:

There is a reason Emma McDonald is so highly touted, and her traits particularly inside 50 standout at whatever level she plays. Despite being supremely talented, the Oakleigh and Vic Metro forward is team-oriented and has quite a few more strings to her bow than a more traditional marking player who can consistently hit the scoreboard.

Speaking of said marking, very few have safer hands than McDonald, who averaged 1.8 contested marks per game through the Coates Talent League Girls competition. That figure came from a total marks average of 5.1, where she was near unstoppable once she got her hands to the highest point. Her reliability with her marking meant that she got plenty of chances to hit the scoreboard, or find teammates in the clear.

Though her aerial work is her dominant element, McDonald's groundlevel work is superb for a tall, and a real reason why she is a point of difference compared to many others. Once the ball hits the deck, the 180cm forward is quick to swoop, scooping up the pill quickly and firing out to a teammate or knocking it on for her side's advantage.

It is hard to believe that the player who averaged five marks from 15 touches is such a good groundlevel player, but McDonald won a ridiculous 64.3 per cent of her ball gets from a groundball situation be it loose or hard. While not one to run with the ball too often, she does use overlap handballs or soccers off the deck to space if she sees a teammate in a goalscoring position.

McDonald's competitiveness allows her to keep the ball moving at all costs and give her team the best chance at scoring. Her forward craft and work in the air and at ground level makes her a really complete forward and one who can be potent in a multitude of ways. Then there is when she goes back, and while not as efficient as when forward, McDonald is still a strong intercept mark and can clunk grabs just like when inside 50.

The main knock on McDonald's game is her set shot consistency. For a forward who gets so many chances - and still kicks a lot of goals - she is prone to spraying or pulling the set shot. Similar to many key forwards over the years, McDonald is actually better from a longer range where she can kick through the ball, as close range results in more variance by trying to stab at it or overthink it.

It's not a major worry as she still piles up the goals, but will be an element for her to further develop, and get into a routine where it is consistent whatever distance. That also lends itself to her composure at times, where she can be too unselfish and look to pass off the ball inside 50 but her need to pass it off can cause the odd turnover.

In saying that, McDonald is generally a reliable field kick, particularly when further up the ground and puts the ball where her teammates need it. Even if not precise, it will go to a spot that enables a forward to win it and have an opportunity on goal. Naturally, McDonald will follow-up to involve herself in teh next passage as well if required.

Overall, McDonald's strengths far outweigh any areas of improvement, with the latter more so rounding out her game. Athletically she is so well balanced too, which adds to her overall profile. What she offers inside 50 even outside her bread and butter marking is quite rare for a player of her size, and that is why she is the standout key forward in the draft.