Tongala has been a significant early mover during the country football off-season.
The Blues have welcomed a stable of stars to Tongala Reserve, but those key ins have been tempered somewhat by the loss of their prized Murray Football League best-and-fairest, who is bound for the Goulburn Valley League after a barn-storming five-year stint in the competition.
Two-time reigning best-and-fairest Coby McCarthy will join GVL finalist Mooroopna for the 2024 season after 68 games for the Blues, in a move the 2021 O’Dwyer medallist has described as an opportunity to test himself under the highly rated John Lamont.
“I’ve been at Tonny for five years and given all I’ve got, and while I’m coming into my prime, I thought I’ll give the GV a crack,” McCarthy said.
“I just wanted to go somewhere fresh where I can earn my stripes, no complacency. I’m looking forward to it.”
Renowned for his contested possession footy, the 24-year-old will also bring 87 goals to a young Mooroopna line-up, and the Cats recruit is hoping to help the club build on its 36-point elimination final exit to Euroa.
“They’re a young side, I went and watched them in one of their finals,” he said.
“I’d love to play some GV finals footy and hopefully we can go a step further than last year.
“Personally, I just want to develop my footy. In my opinion, I think Lamont’s probably the best coach in the league, so I want to continue to get better.”
McCarthy will be the second senior Blue in two seasons to make the switch, following in the footsteps of goalkicker Mackenzie Cowley, who will return to Tongala in 2024.
Covering the loss of McCarthy in the Blues engine room will be VAFA midfielder Matt Caia from premier division club St Bedes, while Tongala looked into the GV to bolster the midfield further in the form of Kyabram’s Billy McLay.
It was Tongala’s early announcement that reverberated across the Murray Football League, however, with former AFL star Brett Deledio announced as a recruit back in September, linking up with new coach Billy Barnes.
Deledio’s brother Matt will also don the Blue jumper, taking Tongala’s haul of recruits to six.