 He maintained his spot in the team the next week for the final match of the year in the eight point loss against at the Adelaide Oval, to finish with two matches for the year.After a strong pre-season in 2012 where McDonald's endurance was highlighted, he played his first match for the year in the 108-point loss to at Patersons Stadium in round two where he was a late inclusion.He spent the season playing as the full back where he played on some of the competitions best full-forwards including 's Nick Riewoldt, 's Tom Hawkins and 's Travis Cloke.