EFNL 2022: MPNFL champion Shane McDonald joins Noble Park

There’s “not much he can’t do,” Noble Park coach Steve Hughes says of new signing Shane McDonald, an eight-time best-and-fairest winner.

An eight-time club best-and-fairest is set to test himself in the Eastern league’s top tier next season in a major recruiting coup for the reigning premier.

Noble Park has secured Mornington Peninsula Nepean league great Shane McDonald following last month’s Premier Division grand final win.

The 36-year-old crosses from Bonbeach where he had previously played under current Bulls coach Steve Hughes for four years, among a career earning a reputation as one of the MPNFL’s finest interleague players.

Shane McDonald (left) in action for Bonbeach. Picture: Valeriu Campan

He’s won two EV Shade medals as the best-and-fairest in the MPNFL’s Division 1.

Hughes said the challenge of the Eastern league’s top-flight and the club’s recent success appealed to the Bonbeach champion as he looks to add a premiership medal to the football CV.

“I think he’s always had a little appetite to ply his trade in Eastern which is well-known as a strong competition, and probably that combined with the way we finished the year,” Hughes said.

“The one thing off his CV is a premiership – he’s lost four grand finals.

“It would be pretty obvious that our aim next year would be to win another premiership on the back of what happened this year.

“Hopefully we can help him get his goal and he can help us get ours.”

Noble Park claimed its first senior flag since 2011 this year. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Hughes said while McDonald’s addition wasn’t a targeted move, it would help offset the departure of forward Shayne Allan who retired following the grand final.

Allan topped the Bulls’ goalkicking this season with 40 majors, but Hughes also expects McDonald to fill a role on the ball.

“(Shane’s) an incredibly dynamic player that can play on the ball, but isolated forward he’s a very dangerous prospect as well – silky skills, tough, explosive, there’s not much he can’t do,” Hughes said.

“He’s very well-known as a big-game player who performs on the big stage, he’s done that numerous times, interleague best on grounds and best afield in the marquee games.

“Still an outstanding player and he’s got a couple of years left, no doubt.”

The Bulls also farewelled Ziggie Alwan after the flag win, but are set to retain most of their list with a host of premiership names already re-signed.

“They’ve been outstanding and have rejected significant offers from elsewhere to stick together and go around again,” Hughes said.

“That’s a testament to the attitude and selflessness of the players in our group.”