Kobe McDonald presents Sam Maguire to the jubliant Mayo fans on Hill 16 in the aftermath of July's unforgettable All-Ireland football final. Ryan Byrne/INPHO
AnalysisWhole New World
After the worlds were conquered: what the next 12 months look like for Kobe McDonald
With a Celtic Cross now secured, the next chapter of his sporting career will involve a lot of hard work and not much limelight.
IT’S ALL DOWN to Graeme Allen, if Mayo football followers are looking to hate on somebody.
Now into his 70s, ‘Gubby’, the one-time prolific goalscorer with Fitzroy and later Collingwood in the Victorian Football League had one last ambition to land after having held various roles with Collingwood, Brisbane Lions, Greater Western Sydney and now St Kilda.
Since the Covid pandemic, he’s been to Ireland three or four times every year, looking to land a big talent in his role of ‘Head of List Acquisition’.
And now he has him. Kobe.
First thing to note is that Saints’ season ended last Thursday with defeat to the Gold Coast Suns. Players and management are now heading off on their holidays, and McDonald is already home in Ireland, spotted as interested spectator on the sidelines of an intermediate championship match at the weekend.
Does that leave the door open for him to tog out for Crossmolina Deel Rovers in the Mayo senior championship? It would not surprise anyone, but the prospect would be kept tightly under wraps as those around McDonald have been watertight with every stage of his development so far.
Perhaps he realises he got enough good karma out of Gaelic football for 2026 and begins the process of catching up on a brand-new sport.
And that new sport requires even more than what McDonald has previously had to give, aerobically and especially when it comes to grunt.
“The November to February block is brutal aerobically,” Josh Gabelich, lead journalist with afl.com.au and previous in-house media representative of St Kilda, tells The 42.
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“He can expect plenty of conditioning work to be prepared to run from day one of the pre-season, although just like with draftees, the club will tailor his program to help him transition,” Gabelich explains.
To that end, the most important person in McDonald’s world now is Brendon Goddard. A former Saints great who played the second half of his career with Essendon Bombers, Goddard is a 41-year-old man mountain who played in the backline and midfield and is now the coach of St Kilda’s second string in the VFL.
Brendon Goddard after his final AFL game for Essendon Bombers. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
Starting his playing career when he was a Year 12 student in Caulfield Grammar School, his own personal experience will be useful to McDonald.
The finer points of skills development will be the responsibility of Damian Carroll, who has the title ‘Head of Development and Learning’.
The second part of that title should not be ignored, because it is truly fascinating. While he only received his Leaving Certificate results in mid-August, McDonald will have access to, and be actively encouraged to, continue his education while being a full-time athlete.
Players can choose to undertake a degree, diploma or any number of training initiatives. If their talents lie more in the practical side of things, they can learn a trade.
It’s a key focus in every club. Early in August, Gabelich detailed the progress of club co-captain, Jack Sinclair, writing, ‘Sinclair is regarded inside Moorabbin (the Melbourne suburb where St Kilda is based) as the benchmark when it comes to preparing for life after football. He finished a business degree a few years ago, spent time interning at Adidas Australia’s head office in Cremorne and more recently spent a day a week at Deloitte on Collins Street.’
Jack Sinclair. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
Sinclair has already earned millions from footy, but is determined not to have to fall back on it forever. Clubs cater for this kind of ambition by having defined windows in the week during the season.
By comparison, Kobe has it all to prove and all to do. Here’s the thing though: while there will be a lot of patience towards his development, Gabelich believes there has never been the same level of excitement about an Irish import arriving.
The Mayo story transcended the Pacific and Atlantic. Footage of the closing stages of the All-Ireland final was broadcast on all the national networks in Australia. Kobemania was a thing on two sides of the world at the same time.
“Some AFL recruiters believe he is the most talented Irishman to make the move,” says Gabelich in a matter-of-fact way.
“St Kilda are pretty realistic that it will take some time and have regularly pointed out that Oisin Mullin was four years older when he made the move.”
Mullin has been a standout player in the league this season, outrageously good in most weeks. Geelong and St Kilda are two different points on the Port Philip Bay and undoubtedly, Mullin will be another strong influence for McDonald to hand.
Oisín Mullin has become a hugely popular figure with Geelong Cats. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
“The impact of Oisín Mullin across not just this season, but the past 18 months, plus the drama of Mayo ending a 75-year curse has certainly increased the interest in Kobe,” adds Gabelich.
“St Kilda is wary of this and have privately stressed the age gap between the two. Oisin was more developed at 22 when he finally made the move; the Saints won’t jeopardise McDonald’s long-term future in the AFL by rushing him.
“It is now 60 years since St Kilda’s one and only Premiership and there is pressure mounting on (coach) Ross Lyon, who enters 2027 in the final year of his contract.
“No one at the club is looking at McDonald as the saviour, but there has never been more anticipation when it comes to a GAA convert.”
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After the worlds were conquered: what the next 12 months look like for Kobe McDonald
IT’S ALL DOWN to Graeme Allen, if Mayo football followers are looking to hate on somebody.
Now into his 70s, ‘Gubby’, the one-time prolific goalscorer with Fitzroy and later Collingwood in the Victorian Football League had one last ambition to land after having held various roles with Collingwood, Brisbane Lions, Greater Western Sydney and now St Kilda.
Since the Covid pandemic, he’s been to Ireland three or four times every year, looking to land a big talent in his role of ‘Head of List Acquisition’.
And now he has him. Kobe.
First thing to note is that Saints’ season ended last Thursday with defeat to the Gold Coast Suns. Players and management are now heading off on their holidays, and McDonald is already home in Ireland, spotted as interested spectator on the sidelines of an intermediate championship match at the weekend.
Does that leave the door open for him to tog out for Crossmolina Deel Rovers in the Mayo senior championship? It would not surprise anyone, but the prospect would be kept tightly under wraps as those around McDonald have been watertight with every stage of his development so far.
Perhaps he realises he got enough good karma out of Gaelic football for 2026 and begins the process of catching up on a brand-new sport.
And that new sport requires even more than what McDonald has previously had to give, aerobically and especially when it comes to grunt.
“The November to February block is brutal aerobically,” Josh Gabelich, lead journalist with afl.com.au and previous in-house media representative of St Kilda, tells The 42.
“He can expect plenty of conditioning work to be prepared to run from day one of the pre-season, although just like with draftees, the club will tailor his program to help him transition,” Gabelich explains.
To that end, the most important person in McDonald’s world now is Brendon Goddard. A former Saints great who played the second half of his career with Essendon Bombers, Goddard is a 41-year-old man mountain who played in the backline and midfield and is now the coach of St Kilda’s second string in the VFL.
Starting his playing career when he was a Year 12 student in Caulfield Grammar School, his own personal experience will be useful to McDonald.
The finer points of skills development will be the responsibility of Damian Carroll, who has the title ‘Head of Development and Learning’.
The second part of that title should not be ignored, because it is truly fascinating. While he only received his Leaving Certificate results in mid-August, McDonald will have access to, and be actively encouraged to, continue his education while being a full-time athlete.
Players can choose to undertake a degree, diploma or any number of training initiatives. If their talents lie more in the practical side of things, they can learn a trade.
It’s a key focus in every club. Early in August, Gabelich detailed the progress of club co-captain, Jack Sinclair, writing, ‘Sinclair is regarded inside Moorabbin (the Melbourne suburb where St Kilda is based) as the benchmark when it comes to preparing for life after football. He finished a business degree a few years ago, spent time interning at Adidas Australia’s head office in Cremorne and more recently spent a day a week at Deloitte on Collins Street.’
Sinclair has already earned millions from footy, but is determined not to have to fall back on it forever. Clubs cater for this kind of ambition by having defined windows in the week during the season.
By comparison, Kobe has it all to prove and all to do. Here’s the thing though: while there will be a lot of patience towards his development, Gabelich believes there has never been the same level of excitement about an Irish import arriving.
The Mayo story transcended the Pacific and Atlantic. Footage of the closing stages of the All-Ireland final was broadcast on all the national networks in Australia. Kobemania was a thing on two sides of the world at the same time.
“St Kilda are pretty realistic that it will take some time and have regularly pointed out that Oisin Mullin was four years older when he made the move.”
Mullin has been a standout player in the league this season, outrageously good in most weeks. Geelong and St Kilda are two different points on the Port Philip Bay and undoubtedly, Mullin will be another strong influence for McDonald to hand.
“The impact of Oisín Mullin across not just this season, but the past 18 months, plus the drama of Mayo ending a 75-year curse has certainly increased the interest in Kobe,” adds Gabelich.
“St Kilda is wary of this and have privately stressed the age gap between the two. Oisin was more developed at 22 when he finally made the move; the Saints won’t jeopardise McDonald’s long-term future in the AFL by rushing him.
“It is now 60 years since St Kilda’s one and only Premiership and there is pressure mounting on (coach) Ross Lyon, who enters 2027 in the final year of his contract.
“No one at the club is looking at McDonald as the saviour, but there has never been more anticipation when it comes to a GAA convert.”
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AFL GAA Kobe Kobe Down South what's next Whole New World