By Jon Pierik and Russell Bennett
Essendon supporters had hoped Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti would make a return to the senior line up this season but the man himself says he is at peace with his decision to retire.
McDonald-Tipungwuti, a speedy forward whose dash has been missed in a tumultuous season for the Bombers, has not played at senior level this year, having taken personal leave earlier in the campaign.
Essendon’s Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti has retired.Credit: Getty Images
While he returned via the VFL in recent weeks, there was speculation he would not play at senior level again. Having booted 153 goals in 126 senior matches, an emotional McDonald-Tipungwuti told teammates on Friday morning of his decision to quit. He had been an important piece in the Bombers’ rise last season.
“I’ll miss this club - I love this club so much,” he said through tears, embraced by captain and close friend Dyson Heppell.
“It gave me the opportunity to pursue my dream and I’m going to miss every one of you.
“I love this club, I love you boys so much.”
Sources close to the Bombers say he is at peace with the decision and is the happiest he has been for some time. He and his management are working through the next sphere of his life.
McDonald-Tipungwuti, 29, said he was delighted to have lived his dream.
“I have loved my time at the club and I am so proud of what I have been able to achieve in my AFL career,” he said. “I am also proud of my education, coming to Victoria was to pursue my education and that has been really important for me, too.”
McDonald-Tipungwuti was raised on the Tiwi Islands where he grew up playing for the Tiwi Bombers. He was just 14 when he made his debut in the Tiwi senior side, and by 16 he had cemented his place in the lineup. He shifted to Victoria soon after in the hope of playing in the AFL, but also to receive a quality education.
“Walla” - short for Wallaby, the nickname given to McDonald-Tipungwuti as an infant by his father - met Jane McDonald, who he now considers a second mum, when he was playing for the Tiwi Bombers. They were on the same plane to Darwin – Tipungwuti as a player, McDonald as a coach spending time at Tiwi College.
McDonald-Tipungwuti played six seasons for the Gippsland Power in the TAC Cup [now NAB League] and for Essendon’s VFL side, before he was rookie-listed by the Bombers at the end of 2015.
“The club and my teammates have been extremely supportive throughout my whole career, but I feel really happy to be moving on to the next chapter of my life now. I’m ready for life beyond football. I wish all the boys the best for their future, I’ll be watching on from afar,” he said.
A fan favourite across the AFL, not just among the red and black faithful, McDonald-Tipungwuti - a Carlton fan as a child - paid tribute to those over the boundary fence who’d supported him.
“The Essendon fans have been a massive support in my life as a person, and as a footballer,” he said.
“Fans turn up every week to support us, and I’m very thankful [for that]. I’m thankful that I got to meet every Essendon supporter I did, and I wouldn’t have been able to play the game week in and week out with their support.”
Essendon’s general manager of football Josh Mahoney acknowledged the contribution McDonald-Tipungwuti had made to the club, and the game more broadly.
“Anthony has been a truly wonderful person to have at the club for the past seven years, and we are a better football club to have had him within our four walls,” Mahoney said.
“Anthony is an incredible role model and his contribution to this game has been profound.
“We’ve been working incredibly closely to support Anthony over nearly the past 12 months in dealing with his personal matters and, while we will miss his brilliance on the field, we accept and support his decision knowing his ultimate happiness is the utmost priority to all. This is the best decision for Anthony as a person.
“He will be missed around the club and by his teammates, but we sincerely wish Anthony, his partner and family all the very best in his next chapter of life. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti will always be an Essendon person.”
McDonald-Tipungwuti, who designed the Essendon guernsey for Saturday’s Dreamtime at the ’G clash with Richmond, will be recognised on the night. Fittingly, the jumper’s design depicts the pathway and journey through different terrains and lands, with The Hangar - Essendon’s Tullamarine base - the central meeting place.
Meanwhile, Jordan Ridley will miss the Dreamtime contest, the key defender having entered health and safety protocols. The 2020 Crichton medallist has been replaced by Tom Cutler.
After a week of on-and-off-field drama at the club following a stinging defeat to Sydney, Ridley joins injured midfielder Jye Caldwell on the sidelines. Former best and fairest Devon Smith returns, while last week’s medical sub Alec Waterman holds his spot.
The Tigers have re-emerged as a premiership threat this season, with Jack Riewoldt on Friday pointing to the strong recent form of fellow forward Tom Lynch coming after the team opted to show greater “dare” with the ball through the midfield. Dustin Martin’s return has also been pivotal, but his future at the club has again become a point of debate, having been linked with move to Sydney.
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