Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti

Anthony William Watson McDonald-Tipungwuti (born 22 April 1993) is a professional Australian rules footballer playing with the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He was drafted by Essendon with their second selection in the 2015 rookie draft. McDonald-Tipungwuti made his debut in Round 1 of the 2016 season against the Gold Coast Suns.

McDonald-Tipungwuti was born and raised on the Tiwi Islands, off the coast of Darwin, into an Indigenous Australian family. He played his junior football for the Tiwi Bombers in the Northern Territory Football League before moving to Victoria at the age of 17 to better his chances of an AFL career. He was adopted by Jane McDonald in Gippsland and took on her name as recognition of her contribution to his journey. Joining the family as the youngest brother of the McDonald family. He attended school at Chairo Christian School in Drouin after moving to Victoria where he learnt to speak English. He spent six years playing for the Gippsland Power in the TAC Cup and Essendon's reserves team in the VFL before realising his dream when he was rookie listed by Essendon at the end of 2015.

Following the many suspensions handed out to Essendon players at the end of 2015 for the supplements controversy fallout, McDonald-Tipungwuti was elevated to the Bombers' senior list. He made his AFL debut in round 1 of the 2016 AFL season against the Gold Coast Suns at Metricon Stadium, and has retained his position in the team ever since. In July 2020, he broke the record for most consecutive AFL games for Essendon.

He is notable for his explosive pace, excellent ball use, emphatic tackles and hair. He helps the Bombers fast attacking style in the game.

Statistics are correct to the end of round 6, 2019