EFNL 2021: Boom forward recruit lifts Mooroolbark to fast start

A former Woori sharpshooter announced himself to the Eastern league on Saturday, kicking a bag to propel Mooroolbark to 2-0.

New Mustang Marcus Baxter booted seven on the weekend. Picture: Mooroolbark FC

A former Woori Yallock sharpshooter announced himself to the Eastern league’s Division 1 on Saturday, kicking a bag to propel Mooroolbark to a 2-0 start to 2021.

New Mustang Marcus Baxter led the charge booting seven majors in his side’s 17.10 (112) to 9.8 (62) victory over Bayswater.

Baxter joined Mooroolbark ahead of 2020, after kicking 60 goals for VAFA outfit Eley Park in 2019.

He also spent six years with Woori-Yallock in the Outer East comp where he kicked 57 goals in 2017.

The premiership Tiger combined with ex-Lilydale name Sam Baker who finished with two, as the Mustangs jumped the ‘Waters from the start to keep the home side goalless to quarter time. They blew the margin out in the second term to lead by 55 at the half.

Mooroolbark senior coach Bret Lavars said he was thrilled with Baxter’s display and his side’s start to the season, while Baker has stepped in to provide a defensive edge up forward.

Paul Hagar, Matt Polkinghorne and Aaron Mullett also kicked two apiece.

Baker has provided the Mustangs a defensive edge up forward. Picture: Stuart Milligan

The Mustangs began 2019 winless from its first six starts, with a draw against Wantirna South their only premiership points.

“I’m very happy with the way we’ve commenced the season, with one of your recruits (Baxter) starting to fit in and to see him get on the end of kicking seven, that’s really exciting,” he said.

“Sam’s been a fantastic addition to the group … he’s given us leadership on and off field and he’s given avenues to goal and he’s also given us that defensive pressure that we were lacking in 2019.”

The Mustangs have also showcased VFL-listed names in the opening two rounds, with Zak Pretty (Port Melbourne) and Cayden Maki (Box Hill) again making an impact on Saturday named among the best.

They’re among a midfield brigade boasting the likes of five-time best and fairest Polkinghorne, versatile ex-Roo Mullett and former Casey-listed name Austin Smith who made the move from Yarra Glen.

Lavars said the abundance of names firing – compounded by the VFL-listed players’ availability – had provided the coaching group many headaches at the selection table.

“We’ve got boys knocking the door down but unfortunately as is sometimes the case when you’re winning, it’s a hard side to get into at the moment,” Lavars said.

“I think as a coaching group given we’ve got great depth they’re really good challenges rather than in 2019 when we probably struggled for that depth.

“(Austin Smith) has fitted in like a glove and he comes in having played a higher grade of footy – he gives us flexibility to do some inside grunt work and also outside, his start’s been fantastic as well.”

But the Mustangs will need to wait to welcome back star ruckman James Charge after he landed back at Heights Reserve ahead of the season from Olinda-Ferny Creek.

Charge has missed the opening two matches after injuring a hamstring in the warm-up of a practice match according to Lavars.

“With an ageing body these things occur at times … when he’s right to play we’ll get him back into the group,” he said.

The Mustangs finished eighth of the division’s 10 sides in 2019 with a 6-11-1 record, and Lavars said early wins were crucial in the current campaign after a slow start last time around.

“These early wins are super important … it’s a long way back from there (2019’s start) and we’ve spoken about it, if we can get some wins early it gives us an opportunity to build a platform off and give ourselves an opportunity to play finals,” he said.