Widely respected former Melbourne captain James McDonald has abandoned his coaching plans with GWS and will instead return to Victoria to pursue a career outside football.
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After being controversially cut by the Demons at the end of 2010, just before his 34th birthday, McDonald was given a lifeline by the then fledgling Giants as a Melbourne-based mentor for its draftees still studying in Melbourne. He was then promoted to a full-time coach, and came out of retirement to play in the club's inaugural season in 2012.
McDonald was approached to return to Melbourne at the end of last year, after the appointment of Paul Roos as coach, but elected to remain with the Giants. He has subsequently decided this season will be his last.
McDonald and his family will leave Sydney with the blessing of the Giants, because of the 37-year-old's preference to work in agribusiness.
"James was one of our foundation players and coaches and we will always be grateful for what he has done for the development of the Giants," GWS chief executive David Matthews said. "He showed a lot of courage to come out of retirement as a player and then take on a full-time coaching role and he's been a tremendous asset to this club."
McDonald said he had appreciated the opportunity to work at GWS, initially under Kevin Sheedy and this season under head coach Leon Cameron, for whom he has served as midfield coach.
"It's been an honour to be part of this club as a player and a coach. It's been a great opportunity for myself and my family and one of the most satisfying things I have done in football. I want to thank the Giants for giving me the chance to continue my football career and wish everyone associated with the club every success for the future," he said.
"I have no doubt the club has a very bright future and I will follow its progress with a lot of interest."
