EDFL 2019: Avondale Heights coach Donald McDonald addresses future
With work commitments at North Melbourne preventing him from taking charge every week, Donald McDonald considered stepping down as Avondale Heights coach after last season. What will he do in 2020?
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Avondale Heights coach Donald McDonald says he will delay a decision on his future until season’s end as the club fights for survival in EDFL Premier Division.
The demands of McDonald’s job in North Melbourne’s commercial department have prevented him from taking charge in all fixtures in 2019.
He considered stepping aside last season after taking on the top job midway through the 2017 campaign but said he did not want to leave with the Heights in a “vulnerable state”.
They are again battling to avoid the drop to Division 1, sitting ninth on the ladder with a 2-10 record.
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“It might get to the end of the year and we both might say, ‘is there a better person around to do the job’?” McDonald said.
“This competition requires a dedicated coach and you’ve got to have dedicated resources.
“It’s been difficult for the players when you don’t have a coach who is there all the time.
“This year I thought I’d stay and help the club the best I can and try and set them up for the future.
“Then we’ll weigh it all up at the end of the year.”
The Heights have lost almost 30 senior players over the past two years, forcing them to rebuild through youth.
McDonald said the club’s under-19s were enjoying an impressive season, while good numbers meant youngsters were no longer required to double up and play reserves.
The former AFL player said Avondale Heights’ ladder position at year’s end would not influence his decision.
“We always knew it was going to be a tough battle for us to stay up,” McDonald said.
“The approach we took at the start of the year was more about the long term, just trying to get kids in and trying to have some players who will actually stay at our footy club going forward.
“It’s been good. We’ve really made a focus in getting some kids into our under-19s and they’re having their best season they’ve ever had I reckon.
“We might not stay up and end up being relegated, but at the end of the day we’re not going to get too caught up in that stuff.”
Connor Byrne, Jackson Robb, Tom Russell, Donnacadh Cleary and Justin Morris have been the Heights’ standout performers this season.
The Heights will next meet flag contender Keilor on Saturday.
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