Premiership swingman Tom McDonald has announced he will retire from the Melbourne Demons at season's end, after a 256-game career at the top level.

Drafted with the 53rd selection of the 2010 National Draft, McDonald's career - spent entirely with the Demons - spanned some of the most barren times in the fabled club's history, with the 2021 premiership no doubt glossing over the lean years that characterised his career's infancy.

McDonald departs one of the country's oldest clubs sitting eighth all-time for games played.

Also headed for the exits from Casey Fields is Alan Richardson.

The man affectionately known as "Richo" was the club's general manager of football operations when the drought-breaking 2021 premiership was clinched, overseeing the most successful period of the club's modern history.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 05: Alan Richardson, General Manager of AFL Football Performance watches on as Simon Goodwin speaks to media during a Melbourne Demons AFL media opportunity at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 05, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 05: Alan Richardson, General Manager of AFL Football Performance watches on as Simon Goodwin speaks to media during a Melbourne Demons AFL media opportunity at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 05, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

It is as yet unclear as to whether or not the former St Kilda coach and former Collingwood player intends to remain involved with football, but his time at Melbourne - a club well and truly embracing the changes associated with first-year coach Steven King's appointment - will come to an end at the end of the current campaign.

The Demons face the ladder-leading Fremantle Dockers in Round 22, and are expected to welcome back a host of names, including draftee Latrelle Pickett for the clash.

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