EFNL 2021: Ryley Monkhorst signs at Mooroolbark for 2022

The Mustangs desperately needed to fill a void in their ruck division – and they’ve delivered in spades.

Premier ruckman Ryley Monkhorst has signed with Mooroolbark for 2022. Picture: Rob Carew

Mooroolbark has moved swiftly to fill a gap in its ruck division, signing premier big man Ryley Monkhorst.

Monkhorst returns to the Eastern league after landing back at Outer East top division club Woori Yallock for 2021.

He enjoyed a stint with Balwyn in 2019, playing all 18 matches in the Premier Division, regularly featuring among the best while aligned with VFL outfit Williamstown.

Monkhorst also won a premiership with Woori in 2014 where he was named among the best afield in the grand final, and played all nine of the club’s matches this season.

Ryley Monkhorst in the ruck for Balwyn. Picture: Stuart Milligan

The Mustangs have farewelled ruckmen James Charge (Silvan) and Ben Dolan, who has relocated to South Australia.

Mooroolbark senior coach Bret Lavars said his club desperately needed to secure a ruckman to help fill the void left by the pair’s departures.

“We had a hole to fill with both Ben Dolan and James Charge moving on for 2022, and we’ve been in talks with Ryley for a few years,” Lavars said.

“It (Monkhorst’s signing) wasn’t out of the blue, we’ve obviously had some really good conversations with him and he’s a good character as well as being a really good footballer.

“He’s got some good mates at the club, he knows the club and the culture and he’s actually living in Mooroolbark.

“We’re really excited for 2022 and what he can bring to our mix … he’s had exposure to VFL footy and also Premier Division and brings some really good leadership qualities to the group.”

Monkhorst will link up with former Coburg VFL name Kane Noonan, and ex-Casey listed Austin Smith in the midfield next season – and it’s an exciting prospect for Lavars.

“I think with our midfield probably being a strength of ours, our captain Kane Noonan going through there, Austin Smith as a league medal winner this year, we think that’s definitely going to assist in us winning some footy at the contest,” he said.

While the 200cm Monkhorst will shoulder the No. 1 ruck spot, Lavars said the club would get to work on unearthing a second ruckman.

“I’d like to put some work into our kids and see what we’ve got from there,” he said.

Monkhorst is joined by the recent signing of star defender Trent Georgiou, who has returned from Division 4 club, Silvan, where he won back-to-back team of the year honours at centre half-back.