Down by four points at three-quarter-time, the Bulldogs surged home with the breeze by kicking five unanswered goals at the Whitten Oval to win 9.6 (60) to 5.3 (33).
After two behinds in the first three quarters, McDonald starred with three goals in the final term in a coming-of-age performance.
Rylie Wilcox also added a major in the last quarter to finish with three goals in a best-on-ground performance.
Runner-up in the last two Bulldogs' best-and-fairest counts, Wilcox had a game-high 26 disposals to go with her game-changing day in front of goal.
Coming off a thrashing by relentless back-to-back premiers North Melbourne, the Bulldogs had to overcome a burst from Swans superstar Chloe Molloy.
Down at halftime, the Swans hit the lead in the third term thanks to two goals from Molloy.
It was Sydney's first defeat of the season after they opened their campaign with big wins over Adelaide, Essendon and St Kilda.
But injuries have started to catch up with the Swans, who are missing high-profile recruit Taylor Smith for at least another two games.
Elsewhere, the all-conquering Kangaroos destroyed struggling St Kilda by 92 points for a record-extending 31st-consecutive victory.
The winless Saints registered the first behind of the match, but North predictably stepped up after that to win 14.15 (99) to 1.1 (7)
Having not lost since the 2023 grand final, the Kangaroos predictably condemned St Kilda to a fourth-straight defeat to open their season that will heap further pressure on coach Nick Dal Santo.
North spearhead Tahlia Randall starred with five goals, three coming in a second-half onslaught.
Veteran forward Kate Shierlaw finished with four goals, firing early with three in the first half.
Midfield maestros Ash Riddell (39 possessions, one goal) and Jasmine Garner (38, 11 clearances) were typically prolific, helping the Kangaroos dominate the clearances.
Ash Richards was St Kilda's sole goal-kicker, coming in the second quarter.
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