James McDonald

[Longsufferingnomore 1,622]

Does anyone else here think we should celebrate Jnr Macs 250th and possibly last game v North. I would like the opportunity for the Melbourne based supporters to give recognition to our Captains tenacity and leadership. Obviously not many of us can go next Sunday and it seems to me that he deserves more. Maybe the cheer squad or the Club can do something prior to the game against North.

[DeezMan 4]

Does anyone else here think we should celebrate Jnr Macs 250th and possibly last game v North. I would like the opportunity for the Melbourne based supporters to give recognition to our Captains tenacity and leadership. Obviously not many of us can go next Sunday and it seems to me that he deserves more. Maybe the cheer squad or the Club can do something prior to the game against North.

[The Big Ticket 94]

Wouldn't miss it for the world.

[The Backyard Charizard 1,202]

I'll be going apeshit for him this weekend... Cannot wait to see him get chaired off the ground... Got a good feeling about the hoodoo being broken.... I like your idea for next week though... He has been a ripping player/leader

[Redleg 40,357]

Does anyone else here think we should celebrate Jnr Macs 250th and possibly last game v North. I would like the opportunity for the Melbourne based supporters to give recognition to our Captains tenacity and leadership. Obviously not many of us can go next Sunday and it seems to me that he deserves more. Maybe the cheer squad or the Club can do something prior to the game against North.

Absolutely.

Also even though many will disagree I feel he should retire and go out on on top, on his terms. He has played good footy this year before his injury, but is turning 34 and age catches up with all of us. We have a number of young players who need to be tried out or fitted into the team and I strongly believe that this should be his last few games of a great career with the MFC.

[DeezMan 4]

Also even though many will disagree I feel he should retire and go out on on top, on his terms. He has played good footy this year before his injury, but is turning 34 and age catches up with all of us. We have a number of young players who need to be tried out or fitted into the team and I strongly believe that this should be his last few games of a great career with the MFC.

Only thing is... the Dees lack senior guys. Without Junior we only have Bruce, Davey and Green as leadership. If two of them are injured, we only have the one out on the park!! Would we be cutting it fine??

Junior wants to be a part of the success Melbourne will no doubt be a part of, and he has stated that's what he wants to be involved in.

[SuzDee 13]

Speaking as a 'squad member we faced this dilemma a few years ago....a milestone game at an interstate venue. After speaking with the player concerned he made it clear the achievement of the milestone game occurs on the day, not the week later when we're back in Melbourne. Since then we've always tried to acknowledge milestone games at the time they occur no matter where that may be. So a dedicated group of members will be heading across the border - as we would usually do - but this week we'll be very honoured to be part of the acknowledgement of an understated MFC champion's 250th game. Well done Junior. We'll be proudly wearing our colours for you and the team this weekend.

[DeezMan 4]

Speaking as a 'squad member we faced this dilemma a few years ago....a milestone game at an interstate venue. After speaking with the player concerned he made it clear the achievement of the milestone game occurs on the day, not the week later when we're back in Melbourne. Since then we've always tried to acknowledge milestone games at the time they occur no matter where that may be. So a dedicated group of members will be heading across the border - as we would usually do - but this week we'll be very honoured to be part of the acknowledgement of an understated MFC champion's 250th game. Well done Junior. We'll be proudly wearing our colours for you and the team this weekend.

Great to hear and cheers for the inside news there!

I've always regarded Junior Mac as a poor man's Brett Kirk. But are they, in fact, like for like???? Tough call.

[Whispering_Jack 29,324]

Absolutely.

Also even though many will disagree I feel he should retire and go out on on top, on his terms. He has played good footy this year before his injury, but is turning 34 and age catches up with all of us. We have a number of young players who need to be tried out or fitted into the team and I strongly believe that this should be his last few games of a great career with the MFC.

I've thought long and hard about Junior and whether he should go on next year. He's been one of football's quiet achievers and had a long an illustrious career that began in the 1990s when Jimmy, Garry and Todd were still going around at the club. Although he won two Blueys during the twilight of his career I always thought he was at his best immediately before his knee reconstruction late in 2000. On the one hand, it might be argued that this prevented him from achieving more than he actually has during his career - he might well have become an even better player but for the injury. On the other, the year off at that particular point in time might have allowed him to prolong his career to this stage. Not many players keep going beyond their 34th year.

I am concerned a bit about the Brad Johnson effect. In that regard I'm not taking sides with Jason Akermanis who should have kept his criticism of his former captain to himself. I don't believe Aker is an objective observer when it comes to Johnson but nevertheless, the signs are there that he is slowing down and no longer making the contribution of former years. What that means in Junior's case is that he might well be under the same pressure next year as Johnson is under this year. I don't think that any of us want to see him languishing at Casey or running around at Melbourne and not producing that which we remember him to be capable of in past years.

My view is therefore that he should quit while he's ahead. I'm not concerned about a possible leadership void. We have a few candidates at the club who have emerged as future leaders and the club is developing nicely. I know Junior has expressed a desire to carry on but the decision ultimately has to be that of the coach and I don't think Dean Bailey has been sentimental about player retention in the past so let's celebrate Junior Mac and see him out in style over the next fortnight.

[Steamin Demon 392]

Only thing is... the Dees lack senior guys. Without Junior we only have Bruce, Davey and Green as leadership. If two of them are injured, we only have the one out on the park!! Would we be cutting it fine??

Junior wants to be a part of the success Melbourne will no doubt be a part of, and he has stated that's what he wants to be involved in.

I don't think we lack leadership at all. We have Bruce, Green, Davey, Jamar, Sylvia and Moloney, That's six with another 5-6 that have played of 50-70 games ready to step up so please don't use that as an excuse for Junior to go around again.

IMO Junior should go out on a high as I think he will be a liablity next year ala Brad Johnson. The guys a champ and deserves to go oot that way.

[H_T 3,036]

Congratulations Junior. Tireless worker, honest leader on the field for many years. One who puts his head over the ball, endlessly. I think it has been remarkable that Junior has made it to 250 games having dealt with going through a knee reconstruction.

[Jaded No More 68,600]

A champion of the MFC, who has constructed himself a wonderful career, despite not being the most talented player in the team.

Speak to anyone inside the club and they'll tell you what an incredible leader and captain he is, and how respected and well liked he is amongst the playing group.

It would be a real shame if he didn't retire while still in our best 22, because he deserves to leave the game on a high.

So many of our past club champions did not get the exist they deserves, be it due to injury (Neitz), poor form (Yze), list management (Robbo), so for once it would be nice to give Junior a proper farewell.

Of course I'm sure that if he chooses to play on, the club would accomodate to him and he will play out the entire 2011 season.

My gut feeling says that he'll call it quits, but I wouldn't be disappointed if he plays on. He deserves the right to make the call himself.

Edited August 17, 2010 by Jaded

[beelzebub 23,241]

What a position he'll find himself in. The Dees are on the march and he must ache to feel those deserved victories that await. And yet I hope he has the sense of occasion and inate timing of a champion to recognise that whilst he will have helped carve out that path he may not indeed be destined to partake of it.. Must be gut wrenching.

Junior youre a credit to the credit and more so yourself. Heres a footballer whos conducted himself with unquestioned loyalty and efort for the club.

Go out on your terms Junior but with an eye to history's clock.

A hearty well done on your 250 games

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Congratulations Junior. Tireless worker, honest leader on the field for many years. One who puts his head over the ball, endlessly. I think it has been remarkable that Junior has made it to 250 games having dealt with going through a knee reconstruction.

Well said HT.

Absolutely.

Also even though many will disagree I feel he should retire and go out on on top, on his terms. He has played good footy this year before his injury, but is turning 34 and age catches up with all of us. We have a number of young players who need to be tried out or fitted into the team and I strongly believe that this should be his last few games of a great career with the MFC.

I agree he should go out on top. I would hate to see that Juniors position is in doubt in 2011 and find no solace having him run around at Casey.

Only thing is... the Dees lack senior guys. Without Junior we only have Bruce, Davey and Green as leadership. If two of them are injured, we only have the one out on the park!! Would we be cutting it fine??

Junior wants to be a part of the success Melbourne will no doubt be a part of, and he has stated that's what he wants to be involved in.

We beat Sydney without Moloney and Junior in the side. And it not solely on his terms whether he goes on or not. The Club and Junior will surely come to the sensible decision.

[Guest Thomo]

He deserves the right to make the call himself.

I disagree, he does not deserve the right to make the call. The club needs to make the call. Players can not be objective in this decision.

Many say that the club owes him, he has given so much, it should be his call, etc, but remember that he has been paid extremely well to do something he loves for 14 years. He has made a career in a profession that he knows has an expiry date, and he has been extremely luck to play into his mid thirties.

If the club think we need him next year, he plays, if not, thanks for being a champion of the club, but it is time to go.

[No16 1]

250 games is a great achievement. Where does he rate among past legends of the club.

Multiple Best and Fairest awards, All Australian, international rules and captain of the club to name a few...

[DeezMan 4]

250 games is a great achievement. Where does he rate among past legends of the club.

Multiple Best and Fairest awards, All Australian, international rules and captain of the club to name a few...

Add to that the record of most games by any player off the rookie list. Ever. Brett Kirk retiring means Junior has the record safely.

[Eth 4]

Add to that the record of most games by any player off the rookie list. Ever. Brett Kirk retiring means Junior has the record safely.

Give it another twelve years, Jordie will steal the record

[jnrmac 19,928]

Junior's the man.

[Red Sox 2]

Not much more that I can add to what has already been said above about Junior except to repeat many of those thoughts.

The true character of Junior will be confirmed further, as I believe he will make the call to retire, knowing that it is the best thing for the club. He has carried himself and the club through some terrible years and in that time increased the esteem he will be held in long after he has gone.

All credit to you Junior and congrats on the 250th milestone. No one more deserving.

[praha 11,217]

He'll be back next year.

[Yencks 8]

I am lucky enough to own a jumper that James McDonald played in. I was the first and only bidder on his jumper. I'm pretty sure it was the Round 1 game against Carlton in 2006 that we actually lost. Don't know why they were auctioning off jumpers after that game.

Anyway, turns out that it was an absolute bargain. Fast forward a couple of years and he is finally recognised as the legend that he is with two Blueys and is a well respected club captain. There is no way that a jumper of his would only have 1 bidder these days.

Shame it doesn't fit me anymore.

[DeezMan 4]

I am lucky enough to own a jumper that James McDonald played in. I was the first and only bidder on his jumper. I'm pretty sure it was the Round 1 game against Carlton in 2006 that we actually lost. Don't know why they were auctioning off jumpers after that game.

Anyway, turns out that it was an absolute bargain. Fast forward a couple of years and he is finally recognised as the legend that he is with two Blueys and is a well respected club captain. There is no way that a jumper of his would only have 1 bidder these days.

Shame it doesn't fit me anymore.

Why wear it??? Frame the thing!!!! It'd be even better if you could get it signed by the great man himself.

P.S. LOVE your avatar, mate!!

[Red&BlueBlood 61]

Junior wanted another year, what harm could it of done?

If Bruce was to go to the GC, we have a lack of experience in the team...

Hopefully the kids can fill the gaps, I reckon if Jordie wasnt a demon, junior would of got another year.