He was part of the Demons' Leadership Group, along with Cameron Bruce, Russell Robertson, Adem Yze and Brad Miller and was named co captain alongside Bruce in the absence of skipper David Neitz.

After the 2008 home-and-away season, James signed a one-year deal to continue playing with Melbourne.

In the advertisement, McDonald, along with Nathan Bock and Daniel Merrett, unsuccessfully attempt to tackle Adam Cooney on a bullring.

[2] McDonald played for his old side, Old Xaverians, in the Victorian Amateur Football Association, while also working with Greater Western Sydney's Melbourne-based players in a development role.

[3] In his first game for the club, McDonald copped a two-game suspension for engaging in rough conduct on Sydney Swans player Luke Parker; ironically, he had served as a member on the Match Review Panel in the previous season.