Sunshine Coast AFL duo Connor McDonald and Harry Maher head to Melbourne chasing their next flag

Two of the Coast’s best and brightest AFL stars are on the move again after winning their second premiership in six months.

Teammates Connor McDonald and Harry Maher after winning the NTFL Grand Final. Picture: Supplied

Two of the Coast’s best and brightest AFL stars are on the move again after winning their second premiership in six months.

Noosa pair Connor McDonald, 23, and Harry Maher, 21, are now looking to compete in Melbourne in the Northern Football League with the Heidelberg Football Club.

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After premiership success with the Noosa Tigers in September, the duo headed to Darwin and joined the PINT Football Club, competing in the Northern Territory Football League.

Maher said their initial plans fell through due to the original COVID-19 outbreak.

“We thought we were going to Cairns to play footy but got turned around halfway there due to COVID-19,” Maher said.

“We then came back to Noosa and played the year out which is when a lot of people said that Darwin is a good place to go and play some footy, so we thought we’d hedge our bets and head up.”

Since the move, the men have helped PINT take out the Division 1 NTFL competition.

Maher said it was amazing to be a part of it all.

“To get a group like that together where there were only about half a dozen blokes that were actually from the club, it created a real tight bond between us all,“ Maher said.

“To win a flag as well was massive and it was an absolute credit to the coaching staff and to the boys to all come together like that.”

McDonald, who predominantly plays as a ruckman, said it was such a smooth move to the club and one made easier due to the senior coaching staff.

“The move to the club was super easy,” McDonald said.

“There’s a bunch of great people up there and the club and coaching staff were all really welcoming so looking back it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made.”

The men will now start their season off on April.

McDonald said the move to Melbourne came about through one of their teammates up north.

“When we were up and in Darwin a teammate of ours, Declan Marshall, was one who had moved up from Victoria from his major club of Heidelberg,” McDonald said.

“We just got chatting to him as we’ve always wanted to move down to Melbourne with the opportunity to play and experience footy down here so ultimately that’s what we’ve done.”

The pair are excited for what the next six months have in store and Maher said he can’t wait to get involved.

“We’re both really keen for everything to get underway,” Maher said.

“Victoria is the place to be too for footy as everyone lives and breathes it here.

“We just can’t wait to be amongst it and to get stuck in, in the hopes of winning another flag.”