Yarra Valley Water InFocus 2026 | Mooroolbark

By Blake Tennant.

After missing out on the finals last year, a young Mustangs side are looking at this year as a fresh new opportunity.

Ben Wheat stepped down after taking over last season, with the Mustangs announcing David Gallagher as the new senior coach for this upcoming season.

Gallagher most recently came from Red Hill Football Club, where he spent the last three years as the club’s midfield coach and the senior Co Coach.

“The group won five games last year, and the players weren’t happy with that, so it just shows that there is hunger within the group to get better,” Gallagher said.

 “The intensity and numbers by the group have been strong.”

Gallagher is hoping for a competitive year with a healthy list which is something the Mustangs haven’t had a good run within recent seasons.

One of the reasons for this has been the availability of key players at VFL level, providing some challenges. Stars such as Jett Hartman, Jye Peacock and Liam George amongst others are all on VFL lists, a total of seven of their senior players.

A couple key recruits have come to the stable this year with ex AFL/ VFL premiership player Hugh Beasley coming to the club.

Beasley recently won a premiership with VAFA side Old Trinity last year having an outstanding year kicking 46 goals in 13 games.

 “Hugh has been a fantastic inclusion into the group this year, he’s got full respect of the playing group already, the influence he will bring will be a massive boost.”

Gallagher's expectations are to stay competitive, with the ultimate aims of the Mustangs returning to the finals for the first time since 2022.

“We want to be an exciting team, so it starts driven by the leaders into to training and hopefully implementing that excitement into games”

Mooroolbark open their 2026 season against Division Two premiers, Wantirna South at Heights Reserve on Saturday, 11th April.

After a historic three-peat, Mooroolbark Senior Women’s will compete in Division One this season.

Keryn Ralph returns as a Senior coach after guiding the team to the last two premierships against Coldstream and Montrose.

Ralph has since reflected on last year’s historic day where the club completed the three-peat.

“it’s been a relief, it’s been a lot of hard work within the team to get this premiership, it was a proud day to be a part of,’ Ralph said.

The side is now taking on a third-consecutive promotion, now competing in Division One.

Ralph’s expectations are to improve the skills they have been working on at pre-season.

“The division is very even and we can’t just expect things to happen," Ralph said, "So we've got to be on our game from the get go,” Ralph said.

Another huge bonus for the Mustangs is getting full support on the juniors who are entering their senior program this season.

It’s assisted in building the depth within the program as they take on the new challenge of Division One footy.

Mooroolbark Senior Women’s side kickstart their premiership defence with a trip to Surrey Park Reserve in Round One on the 18^th April.