MELBOURNE great David Neitz has lauded the career of former teammate and outgoing skipper James McDonald.
The 306-gamer said while he went into battle with players possessing more skill and flair, none could match McDonald on three key characteristics.
“In terms of skills and doing those extraordinary things, there are other players [ahead of him], but the attitude, determination and character - it’s hard to go past him,” Neitz told melbournefc.com.au.
“It’d be hard to come across anyone better from that point of view.
“The way that James has gone about it and his ability to put his head over the footy continually - game after game and year after year - has in a lot of ways defied the odds.
Neitz said McDonald’s ability to emerge from the rookie list in 1997 through to a club captain was an outstanding story.
“He came in with chronic fatigue and had a different path into AFL footy,” he said.
“From how he started - and where he started - to where he’s ended, has just been a huge transformation, so he should be proud of what he’s been able to achieve.
“I think he leaves the game on really good terms. He’s had a few injury concerns this year, but he’s still playing some good football and when he looks back, he’ll be really proud of what’s he’s been able to achieve out of footy.”
Although Neitz said McDonald could have played on in 2011, he understood the decision made by the club.
“You look at what he’s done and he’s still out there contributing and you think ‘maybe, he could do it for another year’,” he said.
“But you look at what’s going on at the Melbourne Football Club as well.
“At the end of the day, he needs to sit down with the club, like everyone does, when you get to this age and stage in your career and when you’ve played 250 games.
Then you work out what’s best for you and what’s best for the footy club.”
Neitz, the club’s games and goals record holder, said he understood what McDonald was going through, having retired mid-way through 2008. McDonald, along with Cameron Bruce, took over as co-captain from Netiz, before ‘Junior’ was appointed sole skipper in 2009.
“It is difficult. James is in a different situation to what I was, but regardless, it’s that common issue of being involved in that team environment and a high level team situation, where you’ve got a real reliance on your teammates and those around you,” Neitz said.
“Part of the difficulty is divorcing yourself from that and you’re on for the next search in your life. Initially, and I know I did search for that, James should probably get away from it for a while, which is a good thing to do.
“Then you can look back and reflect a bit and then you can think what the next step is. Life does move on, but it’s difficult with any transition. If you change careers or you move on and take a different job, it always has its difficulties.”
McDonald will play his last match with the Demons against North Melbourne in round 22 at the MCG.
The 306-gamer said while he went into battle with players possessing more skill and flair, none could match McDonald on three key characteristics.
“In terms of skills and doing those extraordinary things, there are other players [ahead of him], but the attitude, determination and character - it’s hard to go past him,” Neitz told melbournefc.com.au.
“It’d be hard to come across anyone better from that point of view.
“The way that James has gone about it and his ability to put his head over the footy continually - game after game and year after year - has in a lot of ways defied the odds.
Neitz said McDonald’s ability to emerge from the rookie list in 1997 through to a club captain was an outstanding story.
“He came in with chronic fatigue and had a different path into AFL footy,” he said.
“From how he started - and where he started - to where he’s ended, has just been a huge transformation, so he should be proud of what he’s been able to achieve.
“I think he leaves the game on really good terms. He’s had a few injury concerns this year, but he’s still playing some good football and when he looks back, he’ll be really proud of what’s he’s been able to achieve out of footy.”
Although Neitz said McDonald could have played on in 2011, he understood the decision made by the club.
“You look at what he’s done and he’s still out there contributing and you think ‘maybe, he could do it for another year’,” he said.
“But you look at what’s going on at the Melbourne Football Club as well.
“At the end of the day, he needs to sit down with the club, like everyone does, when you get to this age and stage in your career and when you’ve played 250 games.
Then you work out what’s best for you and what’s best for the footy club.”
Neitz, the club’s games and goals record holder, said he understood what McDonald was going through, having retired mid-way through 2008. McDonald, along with Cameron Bruce, took over as co-captain from Netiz, before ‘Junior’ was appointed sole skipper in 2009.
“It is difficult. James is in a different situation to what I was, but regardless, it’s that common issue of being involved in that team environment and a high level team situation, where you’ve got a real reliance on your teammates and those around you,” Neitz said.
“Part of the difficulty is divorcing yourself from that and you’re on for the next search in your life. Initially, and I know I did search for that, James should probably get away from it for a while, which is a good thing to do.
“Then you can look back and reflect a bit and then you can think what the next step is. Life does move on, but it’s difficult with any transition. If you change careers or you move on and take a different job, it always has its difficulties.”
McDonald will play his last match with the Demons against North Melbourne in round 22 at the MCG.
