Life After Footy: AFL’s Tom McDonald on Fatherhood, Identity and Being Present

After 16 seasons and 260 games with the Melbourne Football Club, former AFL player Tom McDonald is stepping into a new chapter — life after footy. But football has only ever been one part of Tom’s story. He’s also a dad to four children, navigating the challenges of balancing elite sport with family life and learning what it means to be present through every stage. In this episode, host Dr James Brown and Dads Group Manager Rodney Eade chat with Tom about identity, retirement and navigating his fatherhood journey.  They explore the challenge of switching off from footy, the lessons children teach us about what really matters, and what Tom is most looking forward to as he has more time to simply be Dad. Plus, Tom shares the lessons from elite sport that he brings into fatherhood – and what he hopes his kids will remember about the dad he was. Because being a great dad isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing up, staying connected and making the everyday moments count. In this episode: Navigating life and identity after professional sport How fatherhood changes your definition of success Balancing the demands of a career with being present at home What elite sport teaches us about parenting Making time for the moments that matter The dad Tom hopes his children will remember Listen now for an honest conversation about fatherhood, change and what matters most.