Mooroopna’s mercurial forward Jackson Trengove ships off to Cobram in Murray Football League

He leaves with quite the GVL record to look back on.

Trengove, a former Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide spearhead, claimed the 2023 goal-kicking prize with 59 majors from 17 games in his first full year in the league.

The 196cm gunslinger joined Mooroopna midway through 2022 from Barooga, now moving to his former club’s cross-town rival for 2024.

Cats coach John Lamont thanked Trengove for his service to the crest over the past season and a half.

“Trengove, we’ve been rapt with the contribution he’s made,” Lamont said.

“We appreciate the effort he’s put in and wish him all the best.”

It’s no coincidence Mooroopna made its first final tilt in eight years while Trengove was among the rank and file.

He was a revelation in the Cats’ 2022 and 2023 elimination bouts, booting four and five against Rochester and Euroa respectively.

So, how do you replace a 59-goal forward?

Mooroopna has reeled in two-time reigning Tongala best-and-fairest and O’Dwyer medallist Coby McCarthy for some midfield bite, while Bayden Fallon returns to the Cattery.

Fallon last donned the hoops in 2019, playing his footy in the years gone by at Geelong Amateurs and, more recently, White Hills in Heathcote District League.

But what has Lamont most excited is the pledge by the locals.

With promising youngsters like Ben Hicks, Isaac Dowling and more committing to play west of the Goulburn River next season, the Mooroopna mentor is stoked to see the intent from a plethora of his breakout talents.

“That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it,” he said.

“I know everyone wants the sugar hit on the recruits stuff, but local footy to me is about the local blokes that are coming through and that core group of Mooroopna boys.

“We’ve obviously played finals the last couple of years which is more games into the build on that and looking forward to it.”

Mooroopna’s exit in the first round of finals against eventual grand final runner-up Euroa left a bitter taste on the Cats’ tongues.

Lamont looked back on the season that was and the game which ended it, hinting his troops were champing at the bit as pre-season rolled into gear.

“They had a positive year and up until the 10-minute mark of the last quarter they were right in the game,” he said.

“The Euroa midfield really stepped up and took the game away from us. That was disappointing and you want to do better, don’t you?

“That core group of Mooroopna blokes are pretty keen to get better and improve and it’s probably already started.

“There’s no sort of finish line to this sort of stuff, guys have been doing a bit on their own I’m sure.”