DOB: 13 June 1972
Debut: Round 4, 1997 against Western Bulldogs at MCG
Last Game: Round 19, 2002 against West Coast at Subiaco
From: Waubra/St Patrick's/Ballarat YCW/Carlton/Coburg/Hawthorn/Old Xaverians/Melbourne Supplementary List, selection #59, 1996 National Draft
Number: 35 (1997-2002)
Honours
Grand Final team - 2000
150 Heroes selection
Best First Year Player - 1997
Reserves Best and Fairest - 1996
Games: 104
Goals: 41
Career Statistics
Wins | Draws | Losses | Winning % |
49 | 0 | 55 | 47.11 |
One of three McDonald brothers in the league, with Alex and future MFC captain James, Anthony played nine games with the Carlton Reserves before joining VFA side Coburg. In 1992 he was given a second chance at AFL level, with the Hawthorn Reserves but he was axed during the off-season.
He returned to the amateurs and played three seasons for Old Xavs before Melbourne picked him as a supplementary list player, and after winning the Reserves Best and Fairest he was drafted to the senior list. In his first year he was named Best First Year Player.
McDonald was one of the side's best in 1998, before a disappointing 1999 campaign saw him spend time in the reserves. Bouncing back in 2000, he recaptured his form and played all 25 games for the year - including a grand final.
McDonald proved to be a durable and talented midfielder before he retired at the end of the 2002 season.
The McDonald brothers were only the third set of three brothers to play 100 games of VFL/AFL football, after the Morwoods and Danihers.
After his retirement McDonald played at Parkmore in the Southern Football League and stayed involved as the club as a part-time runner, eventually graduating to a full-time position.
Also wore number 49 in Reserves matches during 1996.
Year | Games | Goals | Brownlow |
1997 | 19 | 7 | 0 |
1998 | 24 | 12 | 0 |
1999 | 11 | 4 | 0 |
2000 | 25 | 11 | 2 |
2001 | 20 | 6 | 3 |
2002 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
Match | Charge | Sanction | |
Round 1, 2000 | Wrestling | $1200 fine |
Lists
Family
Family at other clubs
VFA
Media
Age - 06/05/2000
Herald Sun - 06/08/2000
Links
Australian Rules Football profile
VFA Project profile
Wikipedia profile