Congratulations to Tom McDonald (SPC 2010) who has re-signed with Melbourne for his 16th season in the AFL, easily claiming the record for the SPC Old Boy who has played the most years with the same AFL team.
Tom is among an impressive 16 Old Collegians on AFL lists this season. Tom also played finals last weekend, along with fellow Old Boys Oscar McDonald (Fremantle), Daniel Rioli (Gold Coast), Sam Butler (Hawthorn), Kai Lohmann (Brisbane), Ollie Hannaford (GWS) and Jack Ough (GWS).
Other Old Boys on AFL lists include – Jacob Hopper (Richmond), Dan Butler (St Kilda), Liam Duggan (West Coast Eagles), Sam Lalor (Richmond), Josh Gibcus (Richmond), Harry Sharp (Melbourne), and Harry Charleson (Carlton). Brother Lachie (Charleson) was delisted at the end of this season and veteran Matt Crouch announced his retirement after 11 seasons (2014-25) following medical advice in relation to persistent hip issues. The Adelaide Crows midfielder played 164 games since joining in 2013 with pick 23.
Tom (McDonald) is also among those on the current lists to have won the ultimate prize of an AFL premiership, his with Melbourne in 2021. The others include Dan Butler (Richmond in 2017), Daniel Rioli (Richmond in 2017), current Eagles captain Liam Duggan (West Coast Eagles in 2018) and Kai Lohmann (Brisbane Lions in 2024).
It is a remarkable reflection of our strong tradition of excellence in football and a reminder of the pathways that begin here at St Pat’s.
Tom’s recent announcement that he is locked in for his 16th campaign with the Demons for the 2026 AFL season equals fellow Old Boy Drew Petrie’s (SPC 1995-2000) 16 years playing for the Kangaroos and West Coast.
While Tom has so far carved up 232 games and 169 goals, and was a member of Melbourne’s 2021 AFL premiership team, Drew has blitzed the most games so far of any SPC Old Boy with 332 games and 444 goals.
Looking at our rich history of Old Boys playing for the VFL/AFL, following close behind is fellow Demons’ star James McDonald (SPC 1989-94) who played a total of 14 years, 13 seasons with Melbourne (1997-2010), before taking a 12-month spell and pulling the boots on for one more year with Greater Western Sydney.
Matt Rosa (SPC 2004) announced his retirement from AFL football after 13 years and 207 games with West Coast and Gold Coast.
Nathan Brown (SPC 2002-06, PY2007) clocked up 12 seasons with Collingwood and the Saints (2008-2020) winning an AFL premiership, while his twin brother Mitch (SPC 2002-06, PY2007) called early retirement in 2016 with the West Coast Eagles after nine seasons (2007-16).
After taking home an AFL premiership in 2017, Shaun Grigg (SPC 2001-06) continued on with Richmond for another two seasons, completing 12 seasons in total with the Tigers and earlier, the Blues.
Peter Walsh (SPC 1965-67, PY1970) also ran up 12 seasons, from 1994 with Melbourne, followed by two years with Port Adelaide, finishing up in 2006.
Like his older brother Matt, Brad Crouch (SPC 2006-11) notched up 11 seasons with stints at Adelaide and St Kilda (2013-24).
After 11 seasons with St Kilda, and Victorian and Australian team honours, Danny Frawley (SPC 1976-79, PY1981) went on to coach Richmond for four years between 2000-04.
Notching up a decade of footballing fun is Mick McGuane (SPC 1980-85), Tony Sullivan (SPC 1963-66), Clinton Young (SPC 2003) and Brownlow Medallist and Carlton great John James (SPC 1948-52).
Three time-Richmond premiership player and Hall of Famer Barry Richardson (SPC 1961-64) played nine seasons (1965-74) and came back and coached for two years in 1977-78.
Alex McDonald (SPC 2011-16) also played nine seasons for the Hawks and Magpies after being selected as the number one pick in the 1988 national draft, while Gerald ‘Terry’ Gleeson (SPC 1947-50) played nine for Melbourne.
Brian Gleeson (SPC 1947-52) who also won the Brownlow Medal in 1957 & St Kilda best & fairest the same year played five seasons.
Other Old Boys who have also won an AFL premiership and not already mentioned include Clinton Young (SPC 2003) with Hawthorn; Mick McGuane (SPC 1980-85) for Collingwood; John Devine (SPC 1952-55, PY1957) and Reg Hickey (SPC 1921) both for Geelong.
