The 28-year-old has run out 170 times over 10 seasons at Melbourne since he was selected with pick 53 of the 2010 national draft.

McDonald has kicked 109 goals for the club, and was the Demons' leading goalkicker in 2018.

"It's really nice," he told Melbourne Media.

"I had almost forgotten about it - I thought it would be something you get at the end of your career - so it makes you sort of think back.

"I like to think I outplayed the draft pick and outdid what was probably the expectation, but I always had belief that I could do it and be here for a long time."

IN OTHER NEWS:

McDonald was inducted alongside club captain Max Gawn at an annual general meeting last week.

Melbourne Football Club Life Membership is one of the highest honours awarded to club players, staff, directors and volunteers.

McDonald joins famous names like Neale Daniher, Garry Lyon and Jim Stynes to have received life membership.

The swingman fell out of favour in the tailend of the 2020 season, but is determined to regain his place in Melbourne's best 22.

"I've probably had more downs than ups, but that's part of it.

"It's meant to be hard - it's not meant to be easy. It wouldn't make it as fun as it is when you do win if it was just a given.

"I'm proud of myself to stick around for as long as I have and hopefully for a bit longer."

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