Despite giving up five second-half goals to Brendan Fevola on Saturday night, the versatile Macdonald said he was ready to stand either Lance Franklin or Jarryd Roughead when the Lions play Hawthorn on Sunday.
Four weeks ago it was an unlikely prospect, but with Merrett (ankle) and Patfull (jaw) both going down, the 24-year-old has been given the key defensive jobs in recent weeks.
Macdonald said he “let the team down” against Carlton, as a white-hot Fevola ran riot after half-time.
But it’s a lesson he’s put in the bank, and after two days of soul searching, is ready to move on.
“I needed a few days to clear my head,” he said.
“It was a bit of a shock. It’s the most goals I’ve had kicked on me.
“He’s the strongest player I’ve ever played on and I was sceptical of how I’d play on him and it took a while to figure it out.
“I was down and disappointed (afterwards). I thought I could have played more in front of him because he’s more of a hit-up leading type player.
“You live and you learn. I’ve love another chance at him.”
Macdonald gave up 4cm and 13kg to Fevola and faces a similar prospect if he lines up on either of the two Hawk forwards in Launceston on Sunday.
Franklin would have a 9cm and 13kg advantage, while Roughead would have a 6cm and 14kg edge.
Macdonald said he was “up for any challenge” but would be more than happy if Merrett came back earlier than expected to lighten the load.
The big full-back has completed some training sessions and is considered a chance to play.
“I’m happy to get Patfull and Strawbs [Merrett] over and give them dinner and give them a massage, anything to get them back,” Macdonald said.
“I reckon he’d (Merrett) be itching to play. I was talking to our physio and trying to get a quote out of him saying Merrett, Patfull and Drummond would all be back this week, but he kept it pretty quiet. But Merrett could be a chance.”
After a breakthrough season as a running half-back in 2008, Macdonald said he was still finding the right balance between blanketing his opponent and providing run from defence.
It’s a balancing act that takes on even greater significance with Josh Drummond’s calf injury keeping him out this weekend also.
Despite the mounting injury toll, Macdonald said the Lions, who boast a 6-5 record, had set themselves for a big performance against the Hawks.
“At the start of the year we set ourselves a couple of really hard challenges, and they were Geelong and Hawthorn. They’re like test events, if you like, and these are the games we really focus on to see where we are,” he said.
“When they get players back they’ll be a real threat to the competition, but having had some losses already, they’re fighting with us at the moment. Hawthorn are the reigning premiers and they’d be a huge scalp, I don’t care how many injuries they’ve got.”
