He sat out the 2000 Rugby League World Cup due to injury, he’s brother Matthew debuted and scored against the Australians playing for his country of Heritage Russia.
Donovan made his first grade debut in round 8 of the 1997 ARL season against rivals Manly at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
In the 1998 NRL season, Donovan played six games as Western Suburbs finished with the Wooden Spoon.
Western Suburbs would finish their final year in the competition with another wooden spoon conceding 944 points, the most in NSWRL/NRL history.
At the end of the year Western Suburbs merged with fellow foundation club Balmain to form the Wests Tigers.