Oscar McDonald Biography

Oscar McDonald joins Fremantle on a two-year deal as a delisted free agent.

The 27-year-old had a standout season in the VFL with Williamstown in 2023, averaging 16.8 disposals and 8.1 marks per game across 20 matches, and was named at full back in the VFL team of the year.

Carlton delists Oscar McDonald.

"Oscar is also a terrific character who brought a lot to our group. While he was unlucky with his injuries, the resilience he showed to continue to persevere and maintain a positive presence around the Club was impressive," Carlton list manager Nick Austin said.

Oscar McDonald will miss the rest of the 2022 season after his back stress fracture failed to respond well to treatment.

"Oscar worked as hard as anyone over the summer to earn a spot in our 22 for the start of the season. That is what makes this news even more disappointing," Carlton head of football Brad Lloyd said.

"For nearly two months, we explored every possible avenue available to get Oscar up and going. However, it wasn't to be. We will now put our focus in making sure Oscar is able to rehabilitate the injury over the remainder of the season."

A promising stint in the forward line in Thursday night's AAMI Community Series clash has seen former Melbourne player Oscar McDonald win the final place on Carlton's list.

"From the moment Oscar walked into the football club late last year he has done everything possible to earn a spot on the list. He already has six years of experience at the elite level, has a great work ethic and above all is a great person who will be a welcome addition to the playing group," Carlton's list manager Nick Austin said.

Oscar McDonald is among three players invited by Carlton to train with the club during the pre-season in the hope of landing a list spot through the Supplementary Selection Period.

Melbourne delists Oscar McDonald after six seasons and 81 games for the club.

"Oscar has been a popular member of the footy club over the past six years and we would like to thank him for his valuable contributions," Melbourne's general manager of football, Josh Mahoney, said.

Oscar McDonald signs a new two-year deal with Melbourne to remain at the club until the end of 2020.

"Oscar is a young developing defender who has taken on a lot of responsibility within our defence," Melbourne general manager of football operations Josh Mahoney said.

"He has built strong understanding with his fellow defenders and we look forward to him continuing to develop in his role."

Oscar McDonald picks up the round 21 Rising Star nomination after gathering a career-high 23 disposals against the Power.

Oscar says living with brother and Melbourne teammate Tom McDonald has been of great benefit.

"At the start he was there to help me with things like the schedule, but now it's about on-field things," Oscar said.

"He helps me a lot with technique and contest stuff. (Defensive coach) Jade Rawlings, Tom and I do a lot of work with our marking and spoiling craft.

"We work together a fair bit in training to try to get better at those things and he's been a big help to me."

Oscar has made massive strides throughout the season and is getting better with every game he plays.

"It's been a lot to do with confidence and working out when to come off your man and attack and when to hold back and maintain your shape behind the ball," McDonald said.

"I remember in the pre-season I didn't think I was on anyone's radar at the club. I was hoping to get a NAB Challenge look in and just try to prove to everyone I could be an asset to the team.

"After playing in round one (against Greater Western Sydney) I gained confidence in myself that I could play at the level, and I think the coaches had that faith in me all along but it was just about marrying those things up."

Melbourne has secured the prized signatures of brothers Tom and Oscar McDonald, with the pair extending their time at the club until the end of 2018.

"Both of these signings are very important components for the structure of our team in future years," Melbourne football manager Josh Mahoney said.

"We have been negotiating throughout the year with [their manager] Alex McDonald to get both of these deals done and we’re very happy that we’ve been able to come to an agreement on Oscar and Tom."

Oscar McDonald makes his AFL debut for Melbourne with 15 disposals (7 kicks and 8 handballs) and 7 marks in a 54-point loss to Fremantle.

Melbourne selects Oscar McDonald with pick No.53 in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft.

"I was a little surprised he was still there but he is a developing key defender with the right height at 197cm and he has steadily improved this year," Melbourne's recruiting manager Jason Taylor said.

"We know what we are going to get. He is going to come in and do the work."

Oscar McDonald's sharp rise up the draft order could result in the defender finishing as a top-30 selection, despite being overlooked for the mid-year national carnival.

The younger brother of Melbourne backman Tom McDonald started the season in attack before shifting into defence, but couldn't break into Vic Country's backline for the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.

However, his improvement at the back end of the season for the North Ballarat Rebels in the TAC Cup, combined with his size (197cm, 94kg), has seen plenty of interest from clubs searching to add tall defenders to their list.