EFNL: New Mustangs Samuel Baker, Austin Smith to fill key roles

Mooroolbark coach Bret Lavars explains how his latest additions will help address essential needs through the midfield and in attack in the EFNL’s Division 1 this season.

Samuel Baker will be a welcome addition to the Mustangs’ attack. Picture: Field of View Sports Photography

Mooroolbark coach Bret Lavars says his latest additions will fill key needs through the middle and up forward in season 2021.

The Mustangs have been one of the most active recruiting clubs across the EFNL in recent months, previously adding former North Melbourne Kangaroo and current Frankston gun Will Fordham alongside champion ruckman James Charge who returns from Olinda-Ferny Creek.

But they’ve also since moved to bolster their small stocks in the forward line and midfield, with the additions of Samuel Baker who crosses from fellow Division 1 club Lilydale, and Austin Smith who makes the move from Yarra Glen.

Austin Smith on the burst for Yarra Glen. Picture: BH Photography

Baker enjoyed a breakout season for the Falcons in 2019 where he became one of the division’s most prolific small forwards, earning selection in the forward pocket in the Division 1 Team of the Year.

Lavars said the club had been in conversation with Baker for “a couple of years”, as the Mustangs look to address their need for a small forward.

“It (Baker’s signing) has been a slow progression and obviously he’s got some very close mates at Mooroolbark - not to say it wasn’t a very hard decision for him, he’s got great friends at Lilydale. It’s always a challenging one when you leave to go to another club in that division,” Lavars said.

“We definitely felt that we lacked a small forward to be able to hit the scoreboard last year and we think Sam gives us the flexibility to hit the scoreboard but also to put on that defensive pressure.

“He’s lightning quick and makes good decisions with ball in hand and he’ll be fantastic for us.”

Smith has won the past three best and fairest awards at Outer East Division 2 outfit Yarra Glen, and finished runner-up in the comp medal in 2019. He also served as Yarra Glen’s vice-captain across the past two seasons.

“He was just looking for another opportunity to further himself, and with the likes of Aaron Mullett, Matt Polkinghorne and Kane Noonan, he will get opportunities to increase his workload in the middle playing with some quality players,” Lavars said.

“I know he was starved of opportunity at (VFL club) Casey and it gets him away from being the big fish in the small pond.

“We’re really excited to have some smalls to add that pressure to help our talls.”

Lavars said that while he was open to further adding further names, the senior group was “pretty settled” as he looks to improve on his club’s six-win, eighth-placed finish in 2019.

“We think that if we can keep our side fit, we’re going to pose some challenges to some clubs, that’s for sure.”

Mooroolbark begins its 2021 campaign when it hosts Lilydale at Heights Reserve on April 10.