Less than a year after leaving North Albury to join Jindera following a lengthy contract dispute, new Raiders coach Daryn Cresswell has landed one of the coups of the off-season by luring McDonald to Birallee Park.

McDonald, 31, said last night he still had a burning desire to play at a higher level.

“It’s an opportunity I didn’t want to pass up,” he said.

“To get the chance to work with ‘Cressa’ to further my knowledge is one of the biggest things.

“The passion is still there, otherwise I wouldn’t have looked at it.

“I was really impressed with the direction the Wodonga Raiders are heading and it’s exciting to be a part of it.”

McDonald’s signing has given the club a huge launching pad to climb the ladder with former player Dean Heta, Southport pair Todd Grayson and Jake Goldsmith, Palm Beach-Currumbin’s Matt Derrick, Henty’s Sam Murray and Rand-Walbundrie’s Josh Warren-Marmo having already committed.

Dederang-Mount Beauty’s Joel Heiner and young Jindera ruckman Nick Nott will also play at Birallee Park next year.

“‘Macca’ is a really good fit in terms of experience and leadership and having a strong body,” Cresswell said.

“With a young list, you need that type of player to help them along.

“We are coming from a long way back but I’m really excited with the way things are coming together.”

McDonald took out Jindera’s best and fairest this year and won North Albury’s top honour in 2009 and 2012 after arriving at the Hoppers from Riverina league club Griffith.

Wodonga Raiders managed only three wins last season but shape as a big improver with Luke Visser, Stu Williams and Steve Jolliffe missing a large chunk of the year.