EDFL 2018: Avondale Heights coach Donald McDonald addresses his future

WILL Donald McDonald coach Avondale Heights in the EDFL next season?

DONALD McDonald’s role at North Melbourne could preclude him from continuing as coach at Essendon District Football League club Avondale Heights next season.

McDonald, who played 155 games at the top level, works in the AFL club’s commercial department.

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The demands of game day in his job at the Kangaroos can clash with his commitments at the Heights, who he has coached since midway through the 2017 campaign.

Donald McDonald has been in charge at Avondale Heights since midway through the 2017 campaign. Picture: Mark Dadswell

“It’s a bit of a unique set up. There are games that I can’t coach, so we’ve just got to see how it goes,” McDonald said.

“One of the big things I wanted to do is to get Dennis Armfield to the club and help mentor him because Dennis has got senior coaching aspirations.

“I’ll be supporting the club in some sort of capacity, but we haven’t probably looked beyond this year.

“The club’s been working really hard to sign all the players up for next year, which has been terrific.

“With myself, it’s a matter of just seeing what happens with North in terms of the fixturing and all that sort of stuff.”

The Heights scored their fourth win of the season on Saturday after conceding the opening five goals against relegation-threatened West Coburg.

The home side piled on 13 goals to two after the Burgers’ first-quarter burst to prevail by 45 points, 13.18 (96) to 7.9 (51).

Former Carlton player Dennis Armfield has senior coaching aspirations. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Avondale Heights gained control in the middle, with skipper Mathew Cravino, Justin Morris and teenager Darcy McPherson starring.

Ciaran Sheehan, Matthew Evans and Luke Edwards shone in defence, while Matthew Darby impressed up forward.

The Heights have been hit hard by injury in 2018 and bolstering their depth over the off-season will be a priority.

Cameron Wood and Charlie Nastasi, who finished first and third in last year’s best and fairest, have made 10 appearances between them, while marquee recruit Sean Bolger has not played a game after breaking his collarbone.

“For us, it’s more just about getting more players,” McDonald said.

“We lost 14 players who played senior footy last year and it’s just been too hard to replace them.

“We just need to retain the players we’ve got and get a little bit of luck with injury.

“We need just more youngsters and need to get a good under-19s team going and see what happens.

“But the spirit around the club has been fantastic and I think that’s a credit to everyone. It’s been a really good place to be around.”