EDFL 2021: Harrison Macreadie headlines Avondale Heights’ signings

A former AFL defender will use Avondale Heights as his feeder club in 2021, while the EDFL outfit has secured some other big signings.

Harrison Macreadie during his days at Carlton. Picture: Michael Klein

Former Carlton-listed defender Harrison Macreadie is set to take the field for Avondale Heights this season.

Macreadie’s availability will be limited after he signed with VFL outfit Williamstown, but he is a key inclusion as the Heights look to climb the Essendon District Football League Premier Division ladder.

The 22-year-old made nine appearances for the Blues in four seasons before he was delisted at the end of 2020.

Avondale Heights coach Paddy Byrne has known Macreadie for more than a decade, helping seal the deal.

“It’s good to get him, even though we’ll probably only see him for three or four (games),” Byrne said.

“Obviously his main goal is to get back into the AFL, so I’d suggest he’ll play every game for Willi if his body is all right.”

Midfielder/forward Nathan Croft is another new face at Canning Reserve.

Croft came through Calder Cannons and has been an important contributor for Riddell in the Riddell District league in recent years, kicking 20 goals from 15 games in 2019.

Nathan Croft has been a key play for Riddell. Picture: Aaron Cook

“He is pretty sharp and pretty clean around the footy, that’s one thing I’ve noticed,” Byrne said.

“He has some work to do on the fitness side because he’s started a fair bit later than a lot of the other boys.

“I expect him to probably impact more in the second half of the year once he gets himself super fit.”

Former Canberra Demons NEAFL player James Collingridge will also bolster the backline, while Carlton VFL-listed ruckman/forward Aaron Gundry has made the Heights his local club.

With 2020 recruits Dom Makur and Matt Darby recommitting and Cameron Harris returning to the club, Byrne said his side was “pretty well placed in the defensive end”.

Byrne said Darby and fellow ex-VFL player Danko Bzenic would be “massive for us this year”, while midfielder/defender Matt Chisari is another noteworthy in since the end of the 2019 season.

Jake Edwards, Muhammad Saad and Ben Cosgriff have departed.

“Probably outside speed and key position height was where we struggled against the top-end teams,” Byrne said.

“We’ve fixed those issues up, so there are no real excuses now.”

The Heights will host Pascoe Vale in Round 1 on April 10.