Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti

Anthony William Watson McDonald-Tipungwuti[1] (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.[2] McDonald-Tipungwuti made his debut in Round 1 of the 2016 season against the Gold Coast Suns.

Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
McDonald-Tipungwuti playing in June 2017.
Personal information
Full name Anthony William Watson McDonald-Tipungwuti
Nickname(s) Walla, Tippa
Date of birth (1993-04-22) 22 April 1993
Place of birth Tiwi Islands, Northern Territory
Original team(s) Tiwi Bombers (NTFL)
Gippsland Power (TAC Cup)
Essendon reserves (VFL)
Draft No. 22, 2015 rookie draft
Height 171 cm (5 ft 7 in)
Weight 77 kg (170 lb)
Position(s) Forward
Club information
Current club Essendon
Number 43
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2016– Essendon 106 (119)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2020.
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Early life

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.[3]

AFL career

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.[4] 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.[5]

McDonald-Tipungwuti has been a picture of consistency through his first 5 seasons with the club finishing in the top 10 of the Best and Fairest every year. He finished 5th in 2018, 7th in 2016, 2017 & 2020 and 8th in 2019.

He was Essendon’s leading goal kicker in the shortened 2020 COVID-19 season affected season with 19 goals.

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
Statistics are correct to the end of 2020[6]
Legend
 G  Goals  B  Behinds  K  Kicks  H  Handballs  D  Disposals  M  Marks  T  Tackles
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game)
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2016 Essendon43218918612731389670.40.48.96.014.94.23.2
2017 Essendon432334171791217178841.50.77.85.313.03.43.7
2018 Essendon4322261416011027075991.20.67.35.012.33.44.5
2019 Essendon432332131669726366991.40.67.24.211.42.94.3
2020 Essendon4317197866114735571.10.45.13.68.72.13.6
Career 106 119 60 777 516 1293 343 406 1.1 0.6 7.3 4.9 12.2 3.2 3.8

References
  1. "Anthony McTipungwuti on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  2. McGowan, Marc (27 November 2015). "Former Tiwi Bomber Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti gets rookie-list chance at Essendon". NT News. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  3. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti’s remarkable journey from Tiwi Islands to the AFL
  4. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Jason Holmes elevated from rookie list
  5. [https://twitter.com/essendonfc/status/1278924012513419265?s=21
  6. "Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti". AFL Tables. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
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