In another recruiting coup by the Ovens and Murray league heavyweight, Handby, 29, arrives at J.C Lowe Oval after more than 150 games with South Adelaide and North Adelaide.

Yarrawonga co-coach Chris Kennedy said the Pigeons were able to snare the prized signing through Brendan Fevola and Craig Ednie, who spent time playing with Handby for Waratah in the NTFL.

“Being able to lure Michael to the club is really exciting,” Kennedy said.

“He will be another strong body with plenty of experience.

“He plays in defence but also has the ability to rotate through the midfield.

“He is 188 centimetres and will give us a lot of versatility.

“He actually went to school with Fev and played alongside Fev and Craig at Waratah in Darwin.

“I only met him on the weekend after he played for Waratah on Saturday and flew to Yarrawonga on Sunday.

“He was really keen to play in a successful side so it’s all happened pretty quickly.”

Handby was drafted by Adelaide in 2000, from the Dandenong Stingrays, and spent two years on the Crows’ list without playing an AFL game.

Justin Koschitzke (St Kilda) and Kayne Pettifer (Richmond) were also picked up in the same draft.

The classy utility played 152 games with South Adelaide.

He joined rival club North Adelaide this year and played eight games but missed the second half of the season after he tore a bicep muscle.

The Pigeons have also signed Cobram teenager Logan Morey.

Morey, 19, is a quick half-back flank-winger.

He played 15 games for Cobram this year and featured in its best on seven occasions.

Handby and Morey join Brandon Symes and Scott Oswald as new arrivals at Yarrawonga.

Nick Lawless (Pascoe Vale), Jarrod Thompson and Corey Greer (Kangaroo Flat) are the only confirmed departures.

Two-time premiership defender Matt Dwyer will miss next year after he recently ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament playing touch football.