1 - Rookie list: Selected at No.78 in the inaugural AFL Rookie Draft, held in the lead-up to the 1997 season, McDonald is the fourth last player chosen, behind Mark Oxley (Collingwood No.81), Damien Franken (Essendon No.87) and Adam Ryder (Sydney Swans No.89).
2 - Debut: McDonald makes his AFL debut against Collingwood in round 17, 1997, after being elevated from the rookie list for key defender Paul Prymke, who was forced to retire due to a back injury. ‘Junior’ collects 10 disposals and kicks a goal, playing his first game alongside older brother Anthony.
3 - Proud family moment: All three McDonald brothers play in the one match in round eight, 1998. James and Anthony play in the victorious Melbourne team, while Alex is on the losing Collingwood side. The Demons win by three points in a cracking encounter at the MCG.
4 - Knee injury: After playing his best AFL match and gaining an equal career-best 24 disposals against Sydney Swans in round 18, 2000 - he earns three Brownlow votes for his effort - McDonald suffers a serious knee injury the following week. It happens against St Kilda at Docklands. He misses Melbourne’s finals campaign, including the 2000 grand final. McDonald doesn’t return until round eight, 2001.
5 - Second claims Sid: Although Melbourne has a disappointing 2003 season, winning just five matches, McDonald has his best season to date, claiming the Sid Anderson Memorial Trophy, finishing second to Russell Robertson in the Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Memorial Trophy. McDonald plays 21 matches and notches up a career-best 33 disposals against Brisbane Lions in round 10, 2003. He later equals this with 33 touches against Western Bulldogs in round 17, 2006.
6 - Tackling machine: McDonald become one of the best tacklers in the game. He leads the competition in tackles with 143 in 2006. In round seven against Fremantle, he lays a remarkable 15 tackles in one match - still a personal-best.
7 - Elite 22: Takes his game to another level and produces his finest AFL season in 2006, winning All-Australian selection (named on the interchange). McDonald accumulates 555 disposals, averaging more than 23 disposals per match.
8 - First ‘Bluey’: Wins his first Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Memorial Trophy in 2006. McDonald wins in a comprehensive victory, polling 464 votes to finish ahead of runner-up Cameron Bruce (317).
9 - Australian representation: McDonald represents Australia against Ireland in the International Rules series. He plays in both tests and is part of the victorious Australian team, which defeats Ireland at Croke Park, Dublin in front of 82,127.
10 - Second ‘Bluey’: McDonald backs up his outstanding 2006 season with his second best and fairest award. McDonald gains 256 votes to defeat runner-up Nathan Jones (190).
11 - Top job: After stepping up as a co-captain with Cameron Bruce during 2008, following David Neitz’s mid-season retirement due to injury, McDonald was appointed sole skipper in the lead-up to the 2009 season. He was quickly revered internally as captain, with that recognition widely acknowledged now among the football community. He remains captain in 2010.
12 - 250th match: After starting the year in fine form - akin to his 2006/07 best and fairest seasons - a hamstring injury in the second half of the season delays him becoming just the seventh Melbourne player to reach the 250-game milestone. But he is now set to play his 250th match against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium in round 21. It’s an outstanding achievement from a highly respected red and blue figure.
