Geelong AFLW captain Meghan McDonald has announced her retirement, with Saturday night’s final round clash with Melbourne to be her last in the Hoops.
McDonald, who reached the 75-game milestone in last week’s win over the Western Bulldogs in Ballarat, told her teammates on Tuesday night that she was hanging up the boots.
The 34-year-old was part of the inaugural season of the AFLW competition in 2017, signing as a free agent with the Western Bulldogs after impressing with VWFL powerhouse Darebin Falcons.
However, McDonald was delisted after four games and didn’t find a home for the 2018 season, instead returning to Darebin.
The key defender was one of Geelong’s first signings for its AFLW entry in 2019, and repaid that faith by winning the club’s best-and-fairest that year and being the first Cat named to an All-Australian team.
McDonald replaced Mel Hickey as captain ahead of the 2021 season, where she earned her second All-Australian blazer.
“This game, the clubs and communities where I’ve played it, and the people I’ve played it with, have changed the course of my life,” McDonald said.
“I have been incredibly fortunate that the timing of my career has allowed me to experience the inception of the AFLW competition, to have played at the Cats since the inauguration of our AFLW team, and to retire alongside professional athletes.
“I’ll always be thankful for and proud of the opportunity to play for and captain the Geelong Football Club. It has brought the most wonderful people into my life, taught me so much about service, community, and togetherness, and satisfied the dreams of a girl who grew up with a footy in her hands.
“I retire fulfilled and full of gratitude for everyone who has supported and enriched my career, and look forward with such excitement to watching my team continue to grow, evolve, and achieve success. I’ll be its biggest supporter.”
Season 2025 has been a battle for McDonald. She was omitted after Round 3 and spent a month on the sidelines before being recalled for the Round 8 loss to Carlton.
McDonald was again left out of the team for the following two weeks before returning to play a key role in the victory over the Dogs.
“Meg has been a fantastic leader on and off the field and has played an integral role in building our AFLW program into what it is today,” coach Daniel Lowther said.
“Meg has built her standing in the wider AFLW community as a leader and advocate for the sport, and her impact has extended far beyond Geelong. We’ve been fortunate to have seen her continually grow in the role and to have had someone of her standing in the football community involved in our program.
“Meg is the pinnacle of professionalism and the standard-setter at training, and has had a profound impact on our program. We wish her all the very best for her next chapter.”
Geelong CEO Steve Hocking also paid tribute to McDonald.
“Meg has been an exceptional player, leader and, most importantly, person at our football club,” he said.
“She has steered our AFLW program magnificently over the past six seasons and been a wise and intelligent voice not just for our women’s team, but for our club as a whole, and we have all felt the benefit of her leadership across departments.
“As a club, we congratulate Meg on a magnificent career and wish her well for the future.”
A guard of honour will be held for McDonald post-game.
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