EFNL 2024: ‘Uncertainty’ surrounds future of Mooroolbark coach Bret Lavars as club addresses rumours

Eyebrows were raised and tongues wagged after one Eastern club threw open its senior coaching position for 2025. Now, both parties set the record straight.

The future of Mooroolbark coach Bret Lavars is uncertain – but the club has addressed rumours surrounding the position.

The Eastern league Division 1 outfit raised a few eyebrows when it last week advertised the role held by Lavars since late 2018.

The Mustangs have thrown open all coaching positions, and Mooroolbark co-president Craig Pretty said the decision was driven by “due diligence”.

He said Lavars had been invited to reapply.

“As a club we decided on a process to go through to reapply, which I’ve spoken to Bret about – he can reapply,” Pretty said.

“We haven’t spoken to anybody else or had anybody in mind – it was just a club decision to advertise every coaching position because we hadn’t done it for a while.

“If Bret applies and he’s the right person for the job, he’ll be coaching Mooroolbark next year.

“With the list we’ve got, and add a few more (players), we want to play Premier (Division) – and that’s what you’ve got to (aspire to).”

Rumours swirled last weekend that the mentor of almost six years had been sacked.

Lavars, who took the club to the Division 1 grand final in 2022, said he was undecided on reapplying and was “weighing up what’s best for myself and my family.”

One home-and-away round remains, with the Mustangs in sixth on eight wins and nine losses. They’re two games from the top five and cannot make the finals.

“I initially wanted the job, but the club has decided after a such a long tenure that they’re going to advertise all positions and see what’s out there and best for the footy club,” Lavars said.

“I understand it’s a business decision and I respect that, and I’ll forever be grateful for the opportunity that Mooroolbark have given me in my coaching journey.

“I love the place, my family have grown up there, and my kids love it.”

Lavars said he hoped to coach next season – but he wasn’t sure where.

“There’s uncertainty about where I’ll be coaching in 2025,” he said.

“I would like to coach … for me, that’s the goal – to be coaching in 2025 – but at what level or where abouts, I’m not quite sure.”