By Josh Ward.
Another historic season from the Mustangs women’s program whilst its young senior men’s showed some promise throughout 2024.
Senior Men’s
Ladder Position: 6th (9-9, 89.14%)
Leading Goalkicker: Trent Georgiou (31 goals in 17 matches)
Best and Fairest: Kane Noonan
Summary:
A slightly improved 2024 season for the Mustangs, winning nine games, compared to seven in 2023, but ultimately they fell two games (and percentage) short from playing finals.
At times they put in some strong performances, particularly in the middle third of the season where they defeated Beaconsfield and Montrose at home.
However there were times where they were outclassed, which was the case in their losses in Round 3 and 10 where they kicked a combined 24 points and conceded more than 100 against the Eagles and Park Orchards.
They were also able to defeat sides below them consistently this past season, which saw them finish four games ahead of seventh placed North Ringwood.
Key Players:
The Mustangs midfield trio of captain Kane Noonan, Austin Smith and Ryley Monkhorst were once again dominant all season long.
While Monkhorst averaged 31.2 hitouts per game, Smith and Noonan combined for 58.8 disposals, 28.8 contested possessions and 15.1 clearances per game.
Noonan was the only member of the trio to make this year’s Team of the Year alongside young guns Jett Hartman and Jye Peacock.
Hartman averaged 21.1 disposals, 4 intercept marks and 7.1 intercept possessions per game whilst Peacock had 24.2 disposals, 6.1 tackles and 5.2 score involvements in his 17 games this year.
Best Win: Round 12 - Mooroolbark 10.5.65 defeated Beaconsfield 5.11.41 @ Heights Reserve
Could’ve gone with their win against Montrose in Round 7 at the same venue but this Mustangs victory just takes the cake.
It was a particularly impressive one against an Eagles outfit who they had kicked just two goals against in their previous meeting at Holm Park.
The tables were well and truly turned this time around, conceding just five goals and kicking pretty accurately themselves in the four-goal victory.
Austin Smith racked up 36 disposals, 22 contested possessions and 11 clearances that game while Trent Gergiou and Jackson Gilbee kicked three goals each.
Off-Season Focus:
Times are certainly changing at Heights Reserve, with ex-Montrose assistant Ben Wheat replacing Bret Lavars at the helm following the latter’s departure to Vermont.
Wheat will be without Monkhorst and Smith after they departed for Outer East clubs Woori Yallock and Yarra Glen respectively.
What he will have is some talented youth, with Jak Ryan joining from Woori Yallock along with Blackburn U19 premiership duo Ethan Wright and Connor Riley.
Josh and Jacob Neal have also signed, with Josh a noted goalkicker during his time in the Outer East competition.
It’s set to be a very youthful Mooroolbark outfit, which could make them one of the more dangerous sides in Division 1 next year.
Senior Women’s
Ladder Position: 1st (12-2, 366.23%)
Leading Goalkicker: Bonnie Smith Anderson (12 goals in 14 matches)
Best and Fairest: Bella McMaster and Ruby Haberfield
Summary:
Yet another historic season for the Mustangs women’s side, claiming back-to-back premierships after being promoted into Division 3 this past year.
Whilst sides such as South Croydon Red and Coldstream came close and even defeated them this year, Mooroolbark were always a step ahead of the chasing pack.
Finals saw them put their best foot forward, winning their semi-final against Coldstream by 39 points before following up with a 43-point victory on Grand Final day.
Key Players:
It was an endless list of contributors in the Mustangs women’s side this season, something that held them in good stead in their premiership run.
One who stood out though was Division 3 B&F winner Jordyn Doevelaar who was named captain of the Div 3 & 4 Team of the Year.
Lily McDonald and Emma Beer were also named in the Team of the Year, McDonald also adding another Grand Final BOG medal to her resume.
Bella McMaster and Ruby Haberfield also had consistent seasons, with both being named in the best 12 times each.
Best Win: Grand Final - Mooroolbark 9.6.60 defeated Coldstream 2.2.14 @ Quambee Reserve
A dominant performance on the final day of the season from the Mustangs to secure back-to-back premierships.
After an early challenge from Coldstream in the first quarter it was all Mooroolbark in the last three quarters, kicking six goals whilst conceding just the three behinds in that period.
The two Lily’s, McDonald and Peacock, starred in the win, Peacock kicking three goals and McDonald two to help secure her Best on Ground medal.
Off-Season Focus:
Most likely the side is set to move up into Division 2 which is set to be a new challenge for this ever-improving side.
Majority of the list has re-signed, along with coach Kerryn Ralph who took on the head coaching role late in the season.
They’ll get juniors coming through as well, which could see the introduction of a second team for the Mustangs in 2025.
With that potential extra depth Mooroolbark’s womens side could certainly challenge next season.
Vets
Vets Women’s: 2nd (5-2-1)
It was another strong season from Moorolbark’s Veteran Women’s side, making their second grand final in the past three seasons.
Winning five games to secure second spot, the Mustangs defeated Blackburn in their semi-final before falling 13 points short of minor premiers South Belgrave in the Grand Final.
Nguyen Phuong had a terrific season for Mooroolbark, taking home the Veteran Women’s best and fairest with 13 votes.
Juniors
Mooroolbark had a total of nine sides compete in the junior competition this year, with their Under 14C side with Lilydale the only one to make finals.
Some promising signs from all their junior sides though as they look to continue building a strong pathway from juniors to seniors.