Joel Macdonald Biography

Joel Macdonald announces his retirement after 124 games with the Demons and Lions.

"Joel has had a frustrating run of injuries this year. To play 11 seasons and 124 games of AFL puts Joel in a category which only 10 per cent of all AFL players achieve," Melbourne football operations manager Josh Mahoney.

"Joel brought an aggressive, competitive mindset to every game that he played.

"We thank Joel for his contribution, and wish him the best in his future business interests."

Melbourne has re-signed an experienced trio of players including Lynden Dunn, Joel MacDonald and James Sellar.

All three were consistent in the second half of the season and played a role in steadying the ship," Melbourne list manager Tim Harrington said.

"They played a particular role at different times that was valuable for the team."

Melbourne assistant coach Mark Williams says Joel Macdonald has been a valuable acquisition for his pre-season training input.

"He's been very focused, has done everything right and has prepared himself really well. In the way he trains, you can see his experience, the games he's played and the way he thinks about the footy," Williams said.

"He's been working really hard in the gym and he's really been trying to make sure that his actions build respect from the other players."

Joel Macdonald is not among the delisted players looking for new homes in next week's NAB AFL Draft heightening speculation of him having agreed to a deal that will see him signed to a club via the pre-season draft.

Joel Macdonald is already attracting interest around the league after being delisted by the Lions this week.

"Certainly Fremantle have expressed interest in Joel. He'll have to come back to Brisbane and then he'll meet with the appropriate people involved with Fremantle, as he will other football clubs, and then he'll assess his options from there," Macdonald's manager Marty Pask said.

"There are other clubs that are looking at Joel, and we'll need to assess the right fit, but certainly Joel will be meeting with Fremantle when he gets back."

The Lions have delisted senior players Joel Macdonald, Scott Harding, Rhan Hooper, Jason Roe, Scott Clouston, Kieran King and Matthew Tyler, and rookies Daniel Dzufer, Pat Garner, Daniel Murray, Adam Spackman and Joel Tippett after a huge cull of Brisbane's list instigated by coach Michael Voss.

Despite conceding eight goals to Carlton's Brendan Fevola in round 11, Joel Macdonald is ready to tackle Hawk pair Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead.

"It was a bit of a shock. It's the most goals I've had kicked on me," Macdonald said about his effort on Fevola.

"He's the strongest player I've ever played on and I was sceptical of how I'd play on him and it took a while to figure it out.

"I was down and disappointed. I thought I could have played more in front of him because he's more of a hit-up leading type player.

"You live and you learn. I've love another chance at him."

Brisbane Lions defender Joel Macdonald has broken his silence on his brush with the law during the off-season.

The 24-year-old was charged with being a public nuisance on September 20 after being involved in an argument at a taxi rank in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley. He was later fined $250.

"It was a wake-up call. I'm not one of the players in the limelight, but it makes you realise that regardless of what your name is, if you stuff up and carry on a bit, it's going to make the papers," he said.

"All young guys love to have a good time in the off-season. There is a binge drinking problem with guys my age, whether they are playing football or not.

"I have definitely pulled my head in a bit and matured a lot quicker as a result of it."