A rebound defender with genuine pace, Macdonald arrived at Hawthorn with pick 51 in the 2022 national draft from the Oakleigh under-18s. He kicked his first AFL goal at UTAS Stadium against Port Adelaide in Round 19, 2025, the same season he brought up his 50th VFL match for Box Hill. The 182cm No.42 has played 21 AFL games and kicked 1 goal.