NATHAN Jones has taken out the inaugural James McDonald Trophy for the best team man.
The award was announced by chief executive Peter Jackson during his speech at the club best and fairest at Crown on Thursday night. McDonald was on hand to present Jones with his award.
The introduction of the award was made to recognise Melbourne’s best team player and honour one of the club’s favourites of the modern era.
Jones’ effort to win the best team man award was an outstanding achievement in a trying year for the club.
McDonald, who played 251 matches from 1997-2010, won two best and fairest awards for Melbourne in 2006-07. He also finished runner-up in 2003.
A captain of the club from 2009-10, McDonald was All-Australian in 2006 and represented Australia against Ireland in the International Rules series in the same year.
After spending 2011 out of the AFL, McDonald became a player/assistant coach with Greater Western Sydney in its inaugural season last year.
He added 13 matches with the Giants in 2012, before retiring.
McDonald remained an assistant coach with the Giants in 2013.
Originally claimed as a rookie at No.78 in 1997, McDonald made his AFL debut against Collingwood in round 17, 1997.
