Despite the club’s failure to win a grand final in 32 years, the striker is adamant expectation to break the drought doesn’t weigh heavily on the players around Balls Paddock.

McDonald is one of the longest serving players in Bulli’s current squad and has been with the club for a decade.

During that stint he has endured four grand final defeats, with Bulli suffering eight losses in the decider since they last celebrated the title in 1986. 

They’ll look to end the barren run when they face-off against Wollongong United at WIN Stadium on Sunday afternoon. 

“It would be a fitting reward for the boys who have been here for a long time and a just reward everyone at the club,” McDonald said.

“We have probably had some finals before where we maybe deserved to win and maybe some that we deserved to lose, but it is grand final.  It is anyone’s game.

“It’s who wants it more, who turns up and plays the better football.

“Everyone is feeling confident and relaxed.

“We know that if we play to our potential then we are definitely in with a chance.”

McDonald was keen to break his own goal scoring drought on grand final day.

The towering frontman is yet to score on the biggest day of the season. 

In previous deciders, Bulli haven’t met United, but the two sides did square off in the Fraternity Club Cup final in this year’s pre-season.

United ran out 5-0 winners on that occasion.

They also handed Bulli their only regular season defeat despite failing to reach the same heights as their rivals in the race for the League Championship.

“They are a good side that always had the potential to do well but to be honest they probably under-performed for a lot of the year,” McDonald said.

“Good on them. They finally hit some form and it should be a good game come Sunday.”

Bulli will be without attacker Dylan Lewis as he continues to recover from a foot injury suffered in the final round of the season against Corrimal Rangers.