Changing of the ruck guard at Mooroopna, Bennett departs Bulldogs

By Marcus Beeck

Feb 13, 2024

Departing the Cattery: Mooroopna's Liam Betson. Photo by Aydin Payne

Mooroopna’s ruck department will have a slightly different look when it plays Kyabram in the opening round of the Goulburn Valley Football League season.

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Star ruckman Liam Betson is set to depart the Cats and return to Geelong Football Netball League to play for St Joseph’s in 2024.

Betson played in the GFNL for Grovedale for four seasons prior to COVID-19 and according to St Joseph’s coach Ron Watt, this connection with the Geelong area and the fact he had friends playing for the club helped convince Betson to switch leagues.

Mooroopna coach John Lamont acknowledges that Betson’s departure may have presented the club with a serious problem had his brother, Keelin, not already been a part of the Cats’ team.

“A lot of times he (Liam) changed in the ruck with Keelin,” Lamont said.

“We had a situation; we had two players where their favourite position was in the ruck, so I’m really confident that Keelin will be able to step into that fold.

“Do you ever truly replace someone like that? Probably not.

“But we think that Keelin will be able to jump in there and be more than adequate in the role.”

While Lamont feels comfortable that his team can still improve on last season’s results despite Betson’s departure, he did express gratitude for his efforts during his time at Mooroopna.

“Liam’s made a great contribution and we thoroughly appreciate what he’s done,” he said.

“He’s travelled back for the last two years, the shortened season he was with us, but he had a lot of injuries, so he didn’t actually play much footy in that first year, 2021.

“His contribution around the ball has been terrific.”

Betson was an influential figure during his time at Mooroopna.

Last season, the ruckman tied for second in the club’s best-and-fairest and was awarded Mooroopna’s Odgers Trophy, which is given to the most valued teammate and club man as voted by the players.

Meanwhile, there have been movements further along the Midland Hwy.

Skilled Tatura on-baller James Bennett has packed his bags and headed for the sunny shores of Queensland, departing the Bulldogs to join Port Douglas Crocs.

Fleet-footed Bennett enters the Port Douglas fold at the right time, with the Crocs securing the AFL Cairns major and minor premierships last season.

Bennett featured 15 times for Tatura in the 2023 Goulburn Valley League campaign, booting 11 goals while being named in the best on five occasions.