The football career of Vodafone Brisbane Lions’ dual premiership ruckman Beau McDonald has been cut short after a long and crippling run with injury.

McDonald notified his coach and team-mates on Wednesday morning that he physically couldn’t continue playing, on the eve of the Lions’ first pre-season clash against Essendon on Saturday.

The 28 year-old from Swan Districts in Western Australia cited ongoing chronic injuries as the sole reason behind his decision. McDonald underwent a knee reconstruction during the middle of 2003 and has since experienced a number of complications.

He missed the entire 2004 and 2005 seasons with a recurrence of the knee injury before making his long awaited return to the field in 2006. However, McDonald was limited to only eight senior matches in both 2006 and 2007 due to further injury disruptions.

“Quite simply, my body will no longer allow me to continue playing footy,” McDonald said.

“Mentally it’s been a very tough decision to deal with but when the body’s done – it doesn’t really leave you with a decision to make. It’s made the choice for you and you have to go.

“But I definitely have a lot of people to thank for my career with the Lions and I certainly wish the boys all the very best this season.”

The popular clubman prematurely leaves the Lions after playing 91 games and kicking 19 goals in a career that spanned ten years. McDonald has played a valuable role with the club since being drafted by the Lions with selection No.73 in the 1997 National Draft.

He learnt the ropes with the Lion Cubs reserves for much of his first two seasons before Matthew Clarke’s trade to the Adelaide Crows at the end of 1999 opened the opportunity for him to play regularly in the seniors.

McDonald relished the chance going on to play 22 matches in 2000 and finishing third in the AFL’s Rising Star Award. He soon established himself alongside Clark Keating in the Lions’ senior ruck division where he enjoyed ultimate success in the 2001 and 2002 premiership triumphs.

The Vodafone Brisbane Lions extends its gratitude to McDonald for ten season of wonderful service. His presence both on and off the field will certainly be missed at the Club.

BEAU McDONALD CAREER SUMMARY

DOB: 3 November 1979

Height: 203cm, Weight: 102kg

Guernsey No: 43

Matches: 91

Goals: 19, Behinds: 22

Finals: 7

Draft details: Selection No.73 – 1997 National Draft

AFL debut: Lions v Kangaroos (MCG), Round 4 1998

Career high possessions: 15 v Melbourne (TD), Round 10 2000

Career high goals: 2 v Adelaide (Gabba), Round 2 2000

AFL Rising Star Nomination 2000
Third Place – AFL Rising Star Award 2000
Lions Best First Year Player 2000
Lions Premiership Player 2001, 2002