In 1990, with talks of Port Adelaide becoming the South Australian team in the national competition, that McDermott looked to Victoria for another club.
[2] At the time of his retirement, McDermott's career total of 354 premiership matches was ranked fourth in South Australian elite football behind longtime Glenelg teammate Peter Carey (423), Russell Ebert (373), and longtime coach Graham Cornes (356): as of 2022, he is ranked sixth behind them, as well as Tyson Edwards and Andrew McLeod (both 363).
McDermott set up the McGuinness-McDermott Foundation, which raises funds to provide oncology treatment for South Australian children, with fellow former Crows team-mate Tony McGuinness.
In November 2014 McDermott was replaced on FIVEaa by former Adelaide Crows dual premiership captain, Mark Bickley.
[8] Australian stand up comedian and host of the Channel 10 program Good News Week, Paul McDermott is his first cousin.