A former AFL goalkicking great says Logan McDonald “tried to over-kick” his after-the-siren miss against Fremantle on Saturday.
The Swans trailed by one point with a matter of seconds remaining at the SCG, when the 22-year-old key forward marked a gilt-edged opportunity to secure either a draw or a win to prolong their unbeaten run.
However, arching out to his right in his run-up, McDonald shanked his kick, which fell short and failed to register a score.
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As a result, the Dockers walked away with a memorable one-point triumph as the Swans slumped to their first loss since their Round 3 defeat to Richmond.
Three-time Richmond premiership forward Jack Riewoldt told Fox Footy: “He tried to over-kick it.”
Melbourne great Garry Lyon added: “He just didn’t get a piece of it — it didn’t come off his boot (well) in any way, shape or form.”
“Logan McDonald, you’d think he’s a chance to go the journey here. He just didn’t get a piece of it, did he?”
Riewoldt responded: “It’s that one where … he had a conversation with the umpire there about coming over a couple of metres.
“You just have to kick over the man on the mark. So, clearly, McDonald didn’t think he had the distance in him to just run straight and hit that ball nicely as he would normally if it was a shot on goal.
“He’s opened (the angle) up a little bit, and when you do that, ‘Gaz’, you open yourself up to leaning back a little bit, because your momentum is going right and slicing it.
“As you open yourself up, your body opens up — he’s just sliced that one, and unfortunately for the Sydney Swans, wasn’t able to (at least) score to get the draw.”
Goodwin GUTTED after last-gasp loss | 05:48
On an afternoon where Fremantle’s All-Australian-calibre defender Alex Pearce was absent, McDonald was quiet on Saturday, kicking one goal and taking three marks from 10 disposals.
Forward-line teammate Joel Amartey managed just five disposals, one mark and one goal, with Will Hayward (three goals, seven marks) the most potent goalscoring option for John Longmire’s side.
In a somewhat ironic situation, McDonald, a native West Australian, missed his big chance against Fremantle — one of the clubs to which he has been consistently linked in trade speculation, as he comes out of contract at the end of this season.