By Terry Wilson
The Western Magpies have elected to go with a man with close ties to the club with their decision to appoint Anthony McDonald as head coach for the 2020 QAFL season.
McDonald, 49, was given the nod after a thorough interview process narrowed the possibilities down to four before the club made its appointment.
McDonald is a former player, lower grade coach and for two years was the AFLQ-funded club development manager at McCarthy Homes Oval.
But McDonald’s footballing resume is long and varied, having played football at 14 different clubs over five states and territories.
“So I guess you can call me a journeyman,” said the new Magpies boss.
After heading to Queensland, McDonald worked as AFLQ Wide Bay regional manager from 2000 to 2008.
He then had two years as Magpies club development manager, playing the occasional game in the reserves to help out.
After the CDM program was closed McDonald coaches the Magpies reserves in 2011 and 2012 and in 2013 helped out but in no official capacity.
The new Magpie boss then had a few years off setting up a successful time management and productivity service but had a stint last year as an assistant coach with the Brisbane North under-16 program.
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“I was originally looking to go back to footy with the colts or reserves but the club told me they were looking for a coach who could also double up in othe4r areas,” said McDonald.
“We’ll all be working towards a collective goal.”
Magpies president Andrew Thomson, when asked if he thought taking on McDonald was a punt of sorts, said:
“No, not at all. We went through a detailed process and we had some good candidates.
“Then we went back and said ignore all the applicants and build a profile of the type of coach we wanted and we had four who fitted that profile.
“In the end we sifted it down to Anthony.”
McDonald is succeeding Brydan Morgan at the Magpies after three successive finishes of sixth.
The club has also finalised their assistant coaching penal which will include Alex Mitchell, Brett Connell, David Hammil, Corey Hopkins and Justin Clarke.
The appointment of McDonald to the Magpies leaves only Sandgate to complete their coaching roster for the 2020 QAFL season.
