Career
After two seasons playing with Essendon, Donaldson"s career was interrupted by World War I when he spent fours years overseas with the Australian Expeditionary Force. While in London he took part in the 1916 Exhibition matches, representing the Australian Training Units team In 1919 he returned to Essendon and became a regular Victorian interstate representative throughout the 1920s.
A back pocket specialist, Donaldson was tough to beat in an aerial contest and was a long kick of the ball.
After retiring in 1926, Donaldson became a noted football journalist.