With the midfielder ruled out of the Pigeons’ clash against Wodonga due to his commitments as midfield coach of SANFL club North Adelaide, Handby has opted to line-up for Griffith with good friend and former Glenelg teammate Michael Griffiths.

Handby joins Pigeon teammates Brendan Fevola, Marcus McMillan and Kayne Pettifer in making appearances for other clubs this season.

Griffith coach and former Lavington player Brandon Mathews said Handby could make sporadic appearances when circumstances allow for it.

“Hopefully it might lead to something down the track,” he said.

“He’s played a lot of high-level footy so it’ll be a real learning experience for our young guys, to play alongside someone like him.

“Not only is he an unbelievable footballer to be playing in this competition but he brings other things as well.”

Handby’s recruitment comes on the back of another important signing this week with three-time Ovens and Murray representative Josh Hamilton joining Griffith.

Hamilton is set to play six to eight games for the Swans this season, commuting from his base in Chinchilla, Queensland.

But Mathews has warned the Swans that the arrival of Handby and Hamilton wouldn’t necessarily translate to wins after they lost to Wagga Tigers by 43 points last weekend.

“They’re going to help but won’t win us a game of footy,” Mathews said.