By Tash Gunawardana
Mooroolbark were one of the premier teams in Division One in 2021, with the Mustangs looking to take giant strides towards their goal of Premier Division football.
They will hope that their outstanding 2021 form will continue this season, despite the loss of some key players, mainly to higher opportunities interstate.
The leadership group at Mooroolbark includes Kane Noonan (Captain), Shane Kennedy (Vice Captain), Austin Smith- fresh off his league medal in 2021, recruit Ryley Monkhorst and Jayden Weichard.
Mooroolbark Senior Coach Bret Lavars will have three assistants under him including Dale Watkins as his Senior Assistant Coach and Aaron Mullett as a Playing Assistant Coach.
Nine players left Mooroolbark in the offseason, but they recruited seven players.
Mooroolbark will be hoping that the seven new recruits will help them to be a contender once again in Division One.
These seven players are Lachlan Eyes (Collegians – VAFA), Ryley Monkhorst (Woori Yallock- OEFNL), Ross Ansaldi (Omeo-Benalla – Omeo District), Jack Vennix (Wodonga Saints – Tallangatta), Trent Georgiou (Silvan – EFNL), Jai Jordan, Heath Hocking and Jayden Capuano (both from Yarra Glen – OEFNL).
“Preseason has been challenging with a large turnover from our 2021 squads and the uncertainty of season 2022 with the COVID pandemic,” Lavars continued.
“The standards being set by the leaders has been fantastic the quality of the sessions has been pleasing.”
Lavars has a key focus ahead of the 2022 season.
“The focus for 2022 is for the squad to improve and players and individuals,” he said.
“As a football club we strive to make this a family friendly club and a club that parents are happy for their children to come through the junior ranks and play at.
“We believe we are building something special with our current squad and we are aiming to play finals football.”
Mooroolbark fans should keep an eye out for four players according to Lavars.
These players include skipper Noonan, reigning club and league B&F winner Austin Smith, new recruit Monkhorst who is an ex-VFL listed Ruckman and hardness and Jye Peacock who is Eastern Ranges listed and training exceptionally well.
Ahead of the 2022 season, Lavars has this message to the Mooroolbark fans.
“For season 2022, we plan to play an exciting brand of football for spectators to watch and hope to put a smile back on the faces of the local community after we have all been touched in some way by the COVID pandemic.”
Mooroolbark will be fielding its first Senior women’s team in 2022 and their Senior Coach is Domenic Ciancio and Senior Assistant Coach Peter De Marco.
The Mustangs inaugural women’s side will compete in the Deakin University Division Three, taking on the likes of Coldstream, Croydon North MLOC, Fairpark and fellow first year sides East Burwood, Mitcham, and Nunawading
The Senior’s train together with the Mooroolbark Vets women’s team. Mooroolbark Vets women’s coach is Alison Fitzgerald.
“We desperately want more girls, over 16, to come down for a trot! Just have a crack! Don’t leave it until the last minute to join, Fitzgerald said.
“Come to training (The seniors and Vets train together!) and see for yourselves how much fun we have as a club,
“The atmosphere and environment at Mooroolbark are inclusive to girls of all ages and abilities,
“We have a fully supportive Committee behind us 110%! Seriously, you will have so much fun and feel really held in your football journey.”