MELBOURNE defender Joel Macdonald has announced his retirement.

 

Macdonald will play one more match with the Casey Scorpions before calling it quits after 124 AFL matches, including 44 with the Demons.

 

He has battled hamstring, foot and groin injuries throughout this year, managing just one senior game against Hawthorn in round 10.

 

The 28-year-old played 80 games with the Brisbane Lions before arriving at Melbourne as the No.1 pick in the 2009 NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft.

 

Football operations manager Josh Mahoney thanked Macdonald for his contributions at Melbourne.

 

"Joel has had a frustrating run of injuries this year. To play 11 seasons and 124 games of AFL puts Joel in a category which only 10 per cent of all AFL players achieve," Mahoney told melbournefc.com.au.

 

"Joel brought an aggressive, competitive mindset to every game that he played.

 

"We thank Joel for his contribution, and wish him the best in his future business interests."