The towering center left the Leeds Rhinos by mutual consent last season after returning to Australia on paternity leave, with Leeds coach Rohan Smith saying he would have been astonished to see the star return to the British game.
But, having quickly signed a four-year contract with the Red Devils, Macdonald claims it was always his intention to return, despite getting multiple competing offers from NRL and Super League teams.
“There is always two sides to a story, we came to an agreement to go our separate ways, I wanted to go home for the birth of my child and I can’t say much more than that,” Macdonald said.
“The objective was always to return; I had a contract and had to follow it. I don’t want to be known as someone who makes promises but then fails to follow through.
“I signed a long-term deal (with Leeds) and expected to return to it. Then a couple things happened, and I’m in Salford.”
Nene Macdonald explains why he moved to Salford Red Devils. Despite offers to transfer elsewhere, the former Leigh star claims he decided to commit to Salford due to a shift in perspective.
“If the opportunity for NRL came up then I would have done that before I signed with Leeds,” he said. |I had the option to return to the NRL for this season, but the duration of the contract didn’t suit me, so I chose to stay with Leeds. I then went home and came back, eventually signing a four-year contract with Salford.
“I was thinking more family-oriented; I wanted to secure a seat on a longer-term contract so I knew my family would be okay.
“I’d want to return to the NRL, but a year or two isn’t enough. A few Super League teams contacted my management, but Salford had first expressed an interest in me when I first arrived, and with Krisnan (Inu) around, I felt a connection. “I don’t regret moving to Leeds, and I’m really loving life here in Salford right now. When I was younger, I was content to go wherever I wanted since all I had to do was play football for money.
“Having kids has changed my perspective and I would rather sign four years or three years minimum and know where I am living and what I am getting and that my family is sweet.”Another element that influenced Macdonald’s decision was Salford head coach Paul Rowley, who had a friendly managerial style and an exciting form of rugby.
“Rowls is a happy person who loves a joke and I think he brings the best out of people,” Macdonald remarked.
“He is extremely understanding of people, and I admire their football style, which is old-school 90s, reggae, offloading, and loving the game. This age is more about wrestling, contact, and slowing things down. Salford is about having fun. “I’m here to win competitions, and the entire squad should be thinking about that. With a little luck and a good run, any squad may capture the title.
“I think we are on our way there and I personally think we can get that trophy this year, but there needs to be another 20 men as well, then we will be getting that trophy.”