Pigeons Motor on

The key defender spent this year at his home club Strathmerton, but decided to have another crack at a fourth Ovens and Murray league premiership with the Pigeons.

His signing comes just days after star forward Pettifer made what he called one of the toughest decisions of his career by returning to his home club Kyabram in the Goulburn Valley league.

McMillan played in Yarrawonga’s 2013 and 2012 premierships, as well as the 2006 grand final victory over Myrtleford.

“He’s very demanding from his teammates and wants success,” Yarrawonga co-coach Drew Barnes said.

“He went away for a year to play with his home club but missed playing for Yarrawonga so we’re excited to get him back.”

McMillan joined Yarrawonga from Strathmerton in 2003 and besides stints at SANFL club West Adelaide and in Cairns, has been a key part of Yarrawonga’s sustained success.

The veteran’s best season came in 2012, when he won the club’s best-and-fairest in a premiership year.

Barnes said he could use McMillan, one of Strathmerton’s best players in its win over Jerilderie in this year’s Picola North West league grand final, in a variety of roles in 2016.

“He can play either end of the field, so we’ll play around with it in the first part of the year,” Barnes said.

“He can go forward and back and has been a swing man at times.

“We’ve lost a bit of experience so it’s great to get someone back with experience to help us develop our kids.”

Yarrawonga has had mixed fortunes in the off-season, with several signings and several departures.

Pettifer and Brendan Fevola will leave gaping holes in the forward line, but McMillan, Brad O’Connor, Nick Lawless, Richard Handreck, Nick Doyle and Bodhi Butts have joined the club.

Barnes admitted Yarrawonga still had a way to go to close the gap with Albury and Lavington.

“We’ve still kept our core group at the club and we’ll recruit what we need and continue to bring the kids through," he said.