Drafted by the Sydney Swans with pick 4 in 2020, McDonald was handed a Round 1 debut the following season and grew into the club's spearhead role, playing all 26 matches of 2024 and booting 37 goals. A serious ankle injury cost the 195cm West Australian the entire 2025 season, and he is contracted until the end of 2028. He has played 92 AFL games and kicked 141 goals.