James McDonald (footballer)

James McDonald
James McDonald For Melbourne
Personal information
Full name	James McDonald
Date of birth	5 October 1976 (1976-10-05)
Original team	North Ballarat Rebels / Old Xaverians
Height/Weight	180 cm / 75 kg
Position(s)	Midfielder
Club information
Current club	Greater Western Sydney
Number	38
Playing career1
Years	Club	Games (Goals)
1997–2010 2012–	Melbourne Greater Western Sydney	251 (56) 0 (0)
International team honours
Years	Team	Games (Goals)
2006	Australia	1 (0)
1 Playing statistics to end of 2010 season . 2 State and International statistics correct as of 2006.
Career highlights
Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Medal 2006 & 2007 Best Team Player 2006 International Rules Representative 2006 All Australian Team 2006

James McDonald (born 5 October 1976) is an Australian rules footballer, currently contracted to Greater Western Sydney in the Australian Football League (AFL). He previously played for and captained the Melbourne Football Club.

Career

Nicknamed "Junior", James is the brother of former AFL players Anthony McDonald and Alex McDonald. He is noted as a hard working in and under midfielder. In addition to this, he is also used as a tagger.

In 1995, McDonald suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome with his VAFA side Old Xaverians. He debuted in the AFL in 1997 with the Melbourne Football Club after being promoted off the Rookie list.

2006

McDonald had one of his most consistent years in 2006, being named on the interchange bench in the All Australian side and the only Demons player to make this list in that year. He laid a league high and record high 143 tackles during season 2006, breaking the previous record held by Tony Liberatore (although Brett Kirk would break McDonald's record the following season), and capped off the season with a win in Melbourne's Best and Fairest.

McDonald also played in the International Rules Series in 2006.

2007

McDonald won the Melbourne best and fairest in 2007 for the second time.

2008

James played his 200th game in a devastating loss to the Western Bulldogs in Round 2. He is part of the Demons' Leadership Group, along with Cameron Bruce, Russell Robertson, Adem Yze and Brad Miller and was named co captain alongside Bruce in the absence of skipper David Neitz. However, after Neitz announced his retirement, no captain has been selected yet. After the 2008 Home & Away Season, James signed a one year deal to continue playing with Melbourne.

2009

On 11 January, the Herald Sun reported that McDonald would captain the club in 2009. McDonald kicked his 50th goal in the 2009 season.

2010

McDonald signed another one year extension that would see him to the end of the 2010 season. He also broke the record for the most games by a Rookie Listed player (238). On 20 August, McDonald announced that he would retire at the end of the end of the 2010 season, saying he felt he could have played on for another year, but that the club came first and the club's decision was for him to retire at the end of the season.

2011

McDonald played for his old side, Old Xaverians in the Victorian Amateur Football Association, while also working with Greater Western Sydney's Melbourne-based players in a development role. At the end of 2011, McDonald signed a one year contract with Greater Western Sydney. He will be a playing assistant coach for the Giants.

References

Sporting positions
Preceded by David Neitz	Melbourne Football Club Captain 2009–2010	Succeeded by Brad Green
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Travis Johnstone	Melbourne FC Best and Fairest winner 2006–2007	Succeeded by Cameron Bruce