Recruited by Footscray as a versatile player, he was originally seen as part of the team's midfield; he was moved to defence as his defensive abilities became apparent, and by 1948 he was established on the half-back flank.
He played full back at the start of the 1949 season, despite his height—5 feet 8 inches (173 cm)—conceding reach and strength to his opponents.
This was due to the recruitment of full-back Herb Henderson, who—at 188 centimetres (6 ft 2 in)—was more typical in size for a fullback.
Since he only played one game, the position changes were not noticeable; Donald's output was undiminished, as he and Henderson quickly established a bond on the last defensive line.
Donald's rapport with Henderson continued to develop during the early 1950s, as they (with defensive staples Dave Bryden and Jim Gallagher) conceding only 959 points in the 1953 season.
Footscray again made the finals in 1953, and was victorious (against Essendon, by eight points) for the first time in club history.
It was John Coleman's last-ever final, since he sustained a career-ending knee injury midway during the following season.
Donald was again named Footscray's most valuable player, and was the club's best and fairest runner-up for the second consecutive year.
Footscray returned to the finals, finishing in fourth place at the end of the home-and-away season, and again faced Geelong in the first semi-final.
Donald died on 8 November 2003 after a long illness, and was posthumously inducted into the Western Bulldogs Hall of Fame in 2012.