Essendon star Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti calls an end to his AFL career

Fan favourite Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti has called time on his AFL career in an emotional departure from the Bombers. Read what the popular goalkicker had to say.

Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti has retired from the AFL. Picture: Getty Images

Retired Essendon forward Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti fought back tears in an emotional farewell to his teammates on Friday.

The Bombers’ cult figure explained his decision to retire at the club about 9am, saying it was the right time to “move on from football” after battling some personal issues over the past six months.

The 29-year-old paid tribute to his family who adopted him from the Tiwi Islands, and said he was eternally grateful for the chance Essendon gave him to live his AFL dream across seven seasons.

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Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti has announced his retirement. Picture: Michael Klein

“It’s been a hard few weeks for myself just where I see myself with my life,” McDonald-Tipungwuti said to Essendon players and staff.

“It’s been hard fighting with your head and your heart. I’ve come to the stage where my heart is telling me it’s the right decision today.

“I’ll miss this club. “I love this club so much.

“I’m going to miss every one of you. I love you boys so much and the staff who helped me follow my dream.”

McDonald-Tipungwuti’s explosive speed, chase-down tackle pressure and brilliance around goals made him one of the most damaging and exciting small forwards in the competition since he debuted in Round 1 in 2016.

Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti led Essendon’s goal kicking throughout the Covid-impacted 2020 season. Picture: Michael Klein

His rise was a significant triumph for a man who, in an interview with Hamish McLachlan in the Sunday Herald Sun in 2019, said he had only grade one reading and writing skills when he started a new life in Gippsland, aged 16.

On Friday, the popular goal kicker wiped away tears thanking his mother, Jane, for her support for his education and footy career which included 153 goals across 126 games.

He destroyed Brisbane Lions with a seven-goal bag at the MCG in Round 4, 2019 and kicked the matchwinner in a thrilling win over North Melbourne the following week.

“I want to thank my mum for giving me the opportunity to come down and follow my dream,” he said.

“You’ve always pushed me to follow my dream and I wouldn’t be here if wasn’t for you.

“I know we’ve gone through so much together but I’m thankful you’ve come in to my life and I cherish all the moments we’ve gone through.”

McDonald-Tipungwuti was a fan favourite. Picture: Michael Klein

McDonald-Tipungwuti took time away from the club earlier this year to tackle some personal issues after playing 126 consecutive games up until Round 22 last year as the Bombers made finals.

He returned to the club on the eve of this season but faced a huge challenge trying to regain the fitness and conditioning required to play at the top level.

Previously, he led the club’s goalkicking in the COVID-19 impacted 2020 season with 19 majors, while he snagged 34 goals in each of the 2017 and 2021 seasons. McDonald-Tipungwuti, who joined the club as a rookie in 2015, finished fifth in the best and fairest in 2018.

Essendon wants to celebrate his career at the Dreamtime at the G clash against Richmond on Saturday night when the besieged Bombers (2-7) attempt to break out of their form slump.

McDonald-Tipungwuti said on Friday Essendon would “be in my heart forever”.

“I’ve been lucky enough to share my talent with the wider world and Australia. I’m very thankful I get to share my story and who I am as a person,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to the next stage of my life ... and watching and supporting you boys in the future.”