In the age of social media, fan interaction can often be a double-edged sword for athletes.
Luke McDonald is entering his ninth season at the club, and he says the media landscape has changed dramatically even in his time in the professional game.
“I feel sorry for some of the young blokes coming through though because of how big Dream Team and Supercoach [are], how many people probably message them about stuffing up their multis and things like that. It wasn’t as big in my first couple of years, I didn’t cop a lot of that,” McDonald said on the latest episode of the ‘Happy Dais’ podcast.
“In my first year I had a great year and everyone was patting me on the back, second year I didn’t play as well and some of those people turn on you pretty quick. The biggest thing I’ve learned, and I try to explain it to the boys, is all that matters is the opinion of your teammates, your coaches, your family and the people that are really there for you.
"You might have had five touches and dominated your role, but you only got 10 Supercoach points and someone would have given you a spray online, but that doesn’t matter … I’ve got the best job in the world. I know all the social media stuff comes with it, but it only comes with it if you read it, and you don’t have to read it.
"There’s a lot of mental in footy. Everyone who gets drafted is talented, fit, strong, a good kick, a good mark, so that’s one of the major differences. It is massive and I’ve seen it first hand with a number of guys over the journey.”
McDonald's father, Donald, played over 100 games for North in the 1980s and 90s, meaning McDonald has someone he can turn to who has experienced football's highs and lows, and he says the rest of his family and friends help give him perspective on his career.
"They’re the people that are going to be with you when you have one touch, let alone 30. I’m so lucky I have the best family in the world. Mum and dad are awesome [and] I’ve got an awesome partner. She’s come from New South Wales and her family doesn’t know too much about footy,” he said.
“A lot of my really good mates are guys I’ve met through footy that have been there and been through it all. (Former North player) Benny Jacobs is a really good mate of mine and he’s a really good sounding board for me. You look at him and his career he probably should have won three or four best and fairests but his career ended because of concussion.
"When I start sweating the small stuff I talk to him and it’s pretty clear about what really matters, and it makes the small stuff very small.
"I don’t look too far into the future. I just enjoy every day … you’re never going as good as you think you are, and you’re never going as bad, and your family is good at reminding you of that.”
To hear McDonald discuss the importance of family, kicking goals outside of football, and his role as vice-captain in the AFL program, listen to the latest episode of Happy Dais in the player above.
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