McDonald-Tipungwuti will play his 133rd AFL game when he runs out against Collingwood, after making a comeback this year from retirement.
But now he says it's time to quit for good.
Bombers coach Brad Scott said the 30-year-old forward enjoyed a rare connection with fans.
"I said to the playing group that of all the great champions who have come through the Essendon Football Club, it's actually hard to think of someone who has made such an impression," Scott told reporters on Thursday.
"On our supporter base and on our club on so many different levels.
"It's a celebration for 'Walla'."
"The turnaround from where he was to where he is now has been incredible.
"But by his own admission next year is just a bridge too far for him, both physically and mentally."
Born in the Tiwi Islands, McDonald-Tipungwuti moved to Melbourne aged 17 when unable to speak, read or write English.
The goalsneak played for Gippsland Power in the U18 competition and played reserves for the Bombers before they rookie listed him in late 2015.
McDonald-Tipungwuti made his AFL debut in 2016 and was Essendon's leading goalkicker in 2020.
He retired in May last year before changing his mind in November.
McDonald-Tipungwuti's farewell comes after the Bombers crashed out of finals reckoning with a 126-point capitulation to GWS last start.
Scott said the massive loss had been intensively reviewed.
"We got obliterated around the ball," he said.
"A 40-plus contested possession differential hasn't been a hallmark of our season.
"We defended really poorly and we were as poor offensively as we've been all season.
"You get those three things wrong it's going to be a pretty tough day and it proved to be that."
The Bombers are set to be without sore trio Sam Draper, Jake Stringer and Matt Guelfi while key forward Peter Wright also missed match-eve training.
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