EFL 2019: Mooroolbark farewell key players ahead of Eastern Football League season

Mooroolbark will look to promote its promising youth this year after losing some key players from its 2018 campaign.

Ben Slattery has departed to Chirnside Park. Picture: Hamish Blair

Mooroolbark will look to promote its promising youth this year as it sets itself to bounce back from an underwhelming 2018.

The Mustangs were tagged as a premiership fancy last year after a preliminary final appearance the previous season, but only avoided relegation by two premiership points.

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Hopes Mooroolbark would respond in 2019 were boosted by the signing of former North Melbourne and Carlton player Aaron Mullett, but the club has since had some key departures.

Dean Kelly, who was named in the best players in seven games last year, has signed with Central Highlands club Beaufort after just one season at Heights Reserve.

Ben Slattery, Grattan Stephens, Ben Higgins and Jonathon Egan have also crossed to neighbouring club Chirnside Park.

Slattery was a key midfielder last year, while Higgins and Egan played in the reserves premiership and were viewed as up-and-coming players.

Stephens mixed his football between the reserves and seniors last season but brought top-tier experience from his time at South Croydon.

Aaron Mullett in the Round 1 clash against Richmond last year. Picture: Michael Klein

Mooroolbark president Scott Dimitriou said the club was disappointed losing the group to the Panthers.

“I don’t think it’s good for their development but they see a bit of dollar in front of them and they think it’s the right thing to do,” Dimitriou said.

“Good luck to those boys, it will leave a little hole in our twos. I think numbers might struggle a little bit for the first time in a long time but we’ll be right.”

Halfback James Belli has also joined AFL Outer East club Olinda Ferny Creek.

“He’ll be a loss, but it just leaves another spot for a young kid, which we’ve got a dime a dozen of,” Dimitriou said.

“I think that will be our key weapon, we’ll be very young. The under-17s won the division A flag last year and they’ve got six or seven boys that made the recent cut at (Eastern) Ranges.

“I think (coach) Bret (Lavars) will be promoting those boys as much as he can.”

Grattan Stephens goes up in the ruck. Picture: Hamish Blair

Former Wandin and Thornton-Eildon captain Rhys Chapman, while Jayson Fitzgerald (Warrandyte) and Ben Benson (Kilsyth) are the key signings.

Talented juniors Kyle Crosby, Cooper Foulis, Jarrod Gilbee (nephew of Lindsay), Cayden Maki, Zak Pretty and Jayden Weichard could be given senior opportunities during the season.

Dimitriou tipped Mullett, who will serve as a playing assistant coach, would have a big impact on Division 1 this year.

“He hasn’t missed a session, he has been really great with the young kids and has a great relationship with Bret,” he said.

“He’ll be fantastic for the footy club. Where our list is at, we needed someone that was going to be an assistant coach, and I think that was the role he wanted to come on and play.”

Mooroolbark will open its Division 1 campaign against Croydon on April 6.

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