 The departure of James Frawley, saw McDonald emerge as the number one defender at Melbourne and he was highly praised in the first half of the season where he was compared to the 2014 All-Australian centre half-back, Alex Rance, with "Herald Sun" journalist, Sam Landsberger debating whether McDonald's season was better than Rance's.He was labelled as Melbourne's most improved player and was named as a potential All-Australian.After his direct opponent, Travis Cloke, kicked seven goals in the Queen's Birthday clash, McDonald found himself lose form and he was moved into the forward line to help regain his confidence.