And now... both Rounds 21 and 22... have a hell of a lot of meaning to them.

Rnd 21 vs Port: Junior's 250th

Rnd 22 vs North: Junior's farewell/retirement game

Melbourne... PLAY WITH PRIDE, PASSION AND VIGOUR for the next fortnight!!

The next couple of weeks will tell us a lot about our team.

i think he deserves a great send off in round 22, EVERY demons supporter should get to the G to farewell Juniour

I posted a few weeks ago that he shouldn't go on. If he's had a "push" then my respect for this club just continues to grow. It's the right decision and it gives me confidence that the FD is prepared to make the hard ones.

Well done on a fine career.

Agree.

A sensible decision all around.

A fantastic player for the Club. A wonderful story coming off the rookie list and to achieve what he did.

Pure class.

I endorse all the other accolades that will be bestowed on him. A champion of the Club.

I posted a few weeks ago that he shouldn't go on. If he's had a "push" then my respect for this club just continues to grow. It's the right decision and it gives me confidence that the FD is prepared to make the hard ones.

Well done on a fine career.

I agree with you totally.

No doubt he was told and yes its the right decision. Well done Junior. Terrific career from the rookie list. When you consider that something like 80% of players drafted play less than 15 games its marvellous.

And none of the C*** that Essendon went through with Matthew Lloyd. The club has handled the situation with dignity and class. Well done Dees.

Im a little disappointed that the decision was made for him. James I thought deserved to at least make the decision himself. Ok I know he is getting on and we probably wont win a flag in the next 2 years so I can see the clubs point in wanting to build a young team but it will be wrong if we forced McDonald out and we choose to keep Miller. I wonder if James reamined injury free and not do his hamstring this year and not missed the 6 weeks that we would have kept him. Last sunday the hawthorn midfield were to strong for us so I would have thought keep some experience in there. This is the same club that is wasting space on the rookie list with Newton and Meesen.

We just cant afford to lose to much experience. From what I ve heard Bruce and his wife has practically packed his bags for the Gold Coast because melbourne are yet to speak to him about a new contract. Im hoping its becasue they want to sign up the young ones first then deal with the older players later.

Well dones James. You have been an outstanding player for someone who came off the rookie list. You have also been a wonderful captain.

Im a little disappointed that the decision was made for him. James I thought deserved to at least make the decision himself. Ok I know he is getting on and we probably wont win a flag in the next 2 years so I can see the clubs point in wanting to build a young team but it will be wrong if we forced McDonald out and we choose to keep Miller. I wonder if James reamined injury free and not do his hamstring this year and not missed the 6 weeks that we would have kept him. Last sunday the hawthorn midfield were to strong for us so I would have thought keep some experience in there. This is the same club that is wasting space on the rookie list with Newton and Meesen.

We just cant afford to lose to much experience. From what I ve heard Bruce and his wife has practically packed his bags for the Gold Coast because melbourne are yet to speak to him about a new contract. Im hoping its becasue they want to sign up the young ones first then deal with the older players later.

Well dones James. You have been an outstanding player for someone who came off the rookie list. You have also been a wonderful captain.

At the end of the day our priority should be to keep our young players contracted. We're already going to struggle to remove enough players from our list at the end of the season to comply with the 3 draft picks policy of the AFL as well as internal rookie promotions.

I love Junior and he has been nothing short of brilliant for us, but I think this is the right decision for our club, and in the end, it means Junior can retire while still firmly in our best 22, and he deserves nothing less.

As for Bruce, I'm happy the club is prioritising contracts with guys like Watts ahead of Bruce. I'm sure he'll get at least a one year deal with us, but if he's unhappy with that than he has every right to look elsewhere and I wouldn't begrudge him one little bit if he followed the cash or better terms. At the wrong side of 30, longevity should be his number one priority for himself and his family.

A sad day and the end of an era at the Melbourne Football Club. James McDonald was the last player on our list who played along side Gary Lyon, Jim Stynes, Todd Viney, Stephen Tingay and the like.

A true Melbourne champion and one of the most underated players to have gone around in the last 20 years of the competition. The right decision has been made, I now hope that the club makes sure Bruce is held onto for next year and is able to end those GC17 rumors.

Im a little disappointed that the decision was made for him. James I thought deserved to at least make the decision himself. Ok I know he is getting on and we probably wont win a flag in the next 2 years so I can see the clubs point in wanting to build a young team but it will be wrong if we forced McDonald out and we choose to keep Miller. I wonder if James reamined injury free and not do his hamstring this year and not missed the 6 weeks that we would have kept him. Last sunday the hawthorn midfield were to strong for us so I would have thought keep some experience in there. This is the same club that is wasting space on the rookie list with Newton and Meesen.

We just cant afford to lose to much experience. From what I ve heard Bruce and his wife has practically packed his bags for the Gold Coast because melbourne are yet to speak to him about a new contract. Im hoping its becasue they want to sign up the young ones first then deal with the older players later.

Well dones James. You have been an outstanding player for someone who came off the rookie list. You have also been a wonderful captain.

Hear, hear. I'm really disappointed that the club did this. Part of the reason we did quite well this year is because the senior players really stood up. James was playing well before the injury and should've been given another year.

Surprisingly, I'm shocked.

One positive I think I can take out of this, is that Bailey isn't afraid of making the tough decisions.

I'm not sure there are too many tougher than this.

Coach Dean Bailey said it was a tough decision to inform the popular club man that it was time for him to call it a day.

A great career during which he won great deals of admiration.

Congrats junior, I'll miss seeing you out there.

Classy way to deal with the end too.

Many have handled this situation poorly in the past.

Well done Jimmy a great career.

Well done Dean, great leadership.

I posted a few weeks ago that he shouldn't go on. If he's had a "push" then my respect for this club just continues to grow. It's the right decision and it gives me confidence that the FD is prepared to make the hard ones.

Well done on a fine career.

Yep, agree totally H.

It was only going to get harder for him to get his body up for it, and to find spots in the 22.

I'm glad he and the club have handled this in a dignified manner, because the timing is, unfortunately, right.

A wonderful player and a wonderful servant of our great club. You have inspired all those around you Junior, and I hope that whoever captains the club from next year and onwards, takes a huge leaf out of your book. I'd be happy for someone to captain the club with half the class you have shown.

Congratulations on a brilliant career.

well done junior on a fine career. well handled and james should receive a fitting send off whilst still near the top of he's game. all the best for game number 250!!

Agree with most sentiments in this thread.

Thanks to Junior for his first rate service and commitment to this great club. He's certainly been one of our most important captains in history of the club given our transition and heres hoping his work ethic shines through the younger players for years to come.

Wish him all the best for the future.

He was Pick 51 in the 1996 rookie draft.

Says it all really. A true champion for the MFC and was always a favorite of mine. He's left a huge hole to fill. What a shame his last game will be the twilight fixture. Will probably mean I won't make his last game.

Just on that draft, three players we recruited went on to play over 200 games. Robertson, McDonald and Bassett. Daniel Ward also came to us out of that draft playing 130-odd games.

Junior was an absolute gem.

knew it was coming, but still sad

Im a little disappointed that the decision was made for him. James I thought deserved to at least make the decision himself.

At the very least it is unfortunate that both parties weren't able to at least hold out that it was James'decision. He deserves better than to be remembered as a bloke who was "retired" by his club.

Hear, hear. I'm really disappointed that the club did this. Part of the reason we did quite well this year is because the senior players really stood up. James was playing well before the injury and should've been given another year.

If he had continued playing the way he was playing before he got injured, thee is every chance that he may have gone on ... but as things stand it is probably for the best that he finishes up now. The last thing any one (esp James) would want is to have gone on .. only to struggle with fitness and form next year at the expense of a developing youngster.

All round I'm sure it is for the best that he finish on high with 251 games . Its just unfortunate that the Club ( and James) didn't say that he had decided that his body had just about got to the end of the line

At the very least it is unfortunate that both parties weren't able to at least hold out that it was James'decision. He deserves better than to be remembered as a bloke who was "retired" by his club.

If he had continued playing the way he was playing before he got injured, thee is every chance that he may have gone on ... but as things stand it is probably for the best that he finishes up now. The last thing any one (esp James) would want is to have gone on .. only to struggle with fitness and form next year at the expense of a developing youngster.

All round I'm sure it is for the best that he finish on high with 251 games . Its just unfortunate that the Club ( and James) didn't say that he had decided that his body had just about got to the end of the line

Maybe. But then I would rather they told the truth than pretend otherwise, would be damaging for the club's reputation if they tried to cover it up I would have thought. It shows a degree a maturity that they can be upfront and honest about they decisions they make as a footbal department. I think transparency is the best approach and I think the club probably thinks the same way.

Im a little disappointed that the decision was made for him. James I thought deserved to at least make the decision himself.

The Club has the right and the obligation to make assessments of each player and where they stand in regard the following year. It is a credit to the Club that had the foresight and judgement with the communication to advise a player like Junior that he would struggle for selection in 2011. They have to make the right decisions by the Club. No player is bigger than the Club and Junior would know that. The timing of it is fine allowing Junior the chance to have a send off game in Melbourne.

I posted a few weeks ago that he shouldn't go on. If he's had a "push" then my respect for this club just continues to grow. It's the right decision and it gives me confidence that the FD is prepared to make the hard ones.

Well done on a fine career.

The Club has the right and the obligation to make assessments of each player and where they stand in regard the following year. It is a credit to the Club that had the foresight and judgement with the communication to advise a player like Junior that he would struggle for selection in 2011. They have to make the right decisions by the Club. No player is bigger than the Club and Junior would know that. The timing of it is fine allowing Junior the chance to have a send off game in Melbourne.

I think both Hannabal & Rhino have summed things up nicely from both a club perspective and Juniors.

Make sure you take all this man love and put a hero message on the Club Website, I have, for someone who is similar stature and got bashed around when I played, I have nothing but admiration for a man who rose above his limitations to achieve so much.

Im a little disappointed that the decision was made for him. James I thought deserved to at least make the decision himself.

This is such a strange attitude. No player - no matter how good - is bigger than the Club, and thus no player deserves to decide when to retire.

For those who think McDonald had another season in him, it's not about round one, 20111 - it's about round 22. That's a long time, and we also have plenty of mids we'd like to give opportunities to.

Anyway, great to see McDonald get to his 250th before finishing up, and that he'll have the opportunity to finish off in front of fans at the 'G.

The Club has the right and the obligation to make assessments of each player and where they stand in regard the following year. It is a credit to the Club that had the foresight and judgement with the communication to advise a player like Junior that he would struggle for selection in 2011. They have to make the right decisions by the Club. No player is bigger than the Club and Junior would know that. The timing of it is fine allowing Junior the chance to have a send off game in Melbourne.

Agree entirely. It is a courageous decision by the Coach and the Footy Department to end the career of a club favourite. These are the types of decisions that demonstrate the character and resolve of those in charge. We are in good hands.

More importantly today I would like to acknowledge a great career. Junior was not the most talented player we have ever had but was certainly one of the most determined. He has never given in on any contest and put his body on the line several times. He was a fine leader and has earned the respect of all who came in contact with him. He will be remembered as a great Demon, one of only 7 players to have played 250 games to this point in time and one who gave his all for the club. On top of that he was a Rookie who rose to be leader of his club, a great feat.

I wish him well in his next stage and would not be surprised if he plays on somewhere, perhaps in the country and even possibly coaches as well.

This is such a strange attitude. No player - no matter how good - is bigger than the Club, and thus no player deserves to decide when to retire.

For those who think McDonald had another season in him, it's not about round one, 20111 - it's about round 22. That's a long time, and we also have plenty of mids we'd like to give opportunities to.

Anyway, great to see McDonald get to his 250th before finishing up, and that he'll have the opportunity to finish off in front of fans at the 'G.

I'm pleased it's not 20111. We'll all be waiting a while six feet under.

Well done Junior, a fine career.

Sad state of affairs.

However this just contributes to the steely resolve that the current admin has in getting our next premiership.

Enter Jordan Gysberts I guess