EFL: Mooroolbark coach Bret Lavars re-signs for 2021
Mooroolbark coach Bret Lavars says he’s “excited” to be leading the club again in 2021, outlining why next season will be worth the wait for the EFL Division 1 outfit.
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Re-signed Mooroolbark senior coach Bret Lavars is confident the foundations have been laid for his Eastern Division 1 outfit to move up the ladder in season 2021.
The Mustangs started the 2019 season winless from their first six starts. But after a last-gasp draw with Wantirna South in Round 5, the club then won six of its next eight from Round 7 to Round 14 to finish eighth in Lavers’ maiden season at the helm.
While the season lay-off has halted any on-field momentum, Lavars said he was “excited” to be given the opportunity to continue to build on a promising first season in charge.
“We’ve been in talks for a while and I think the framework has been set over the last couple of years with the group,” he said.
“With the list, I think we were primed to make inroads up the ladder, but unfortunately more pressing things have come and it puts things into perspective a bit with all the people getting these (coronavirus) cases and passing away, that’s for sure.”
The club lost its final four matches of 2019 – three by under three goals – and Lavars believes his developing group would now be “further advanced” to finish the job and close out tight matches once it returns to the park.
“We had a really good run – we were 0-5-1 at one point and then won six of eight, played some really good footy and the boys bought into the game-plan that we’d put in focus all pre-season,” he said.
“We don’t want to make excuses, but it was probably bad timing that Aaron (Mullett) did his knee and we tried to hide that from clubs.
“It came at a bad time and we lost a couple of games we should’ve won but hopefully we’ve learnt from those experiences – I think the learnings that came from that will be very beneficial to our group.”
Mooroolbark was active on the recruiting front last off-season, bringing in forwards Marcus Baxter (Eley Park) and Jesse Bates (Westmeadows), while Jon Egan returned from Chirnside Park where he was captain in 2019. Former club junior Jarrod Bayliss realigned with the club after coaching Park Orchards to a flag in 2017 before stints with Vermont and Wandin, and Kane Noonan committed to the club after previously representing VFL outfit, Coburg, where he won a best and fairest in 2018.
Attention has now turned to re-signing existing players for next season, but Lavers said his club would also move to pursue further talent in preparation for an attack on 2021.
“We have taken the approach of speaking to our current list via Zoom, and getting commitment from them,” Lavars said.
“But we are also looking to recruit actively as well – it’s two-fold, you want to get quality players in but you also want to get quality individuals into your club.
“We know the detriment that someone who doesn’t buy into what you’re trying to sell can cause on your young group.
“We’re definitely in the marketplace talking to individuals who we can think make our club better and help educate our young list.”
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