With long-time coach John Lamont deciding to step down after seven seasons, the Cats have been on the hunt to anoint their new Goulburn Valley League senior mentor.
And it hasn’t taken long to find his replacement.
The Cats have announced Paul Carbis will take charge in 2027, making the move to Mooroopna Reserve with significant coaching credentials at his back.
His most recent appointment was with Outer East league club Pakenham in 2024 after a two-season stint with Garfield in the West Gippsland league.
It was in the Gippsland league where Carbis found success, leading Leongatha to the 2018 premiership a year after coaching the Casey Demons to a VFL Development League flag.
Carbis also spent time in the VFL with Frankston and Coburg with stops at local clubs Chelsea, North Ringwood, and Nunawading along the way.
The incoming coach is a former connection of current Cats assistant Darren Ogier, who the club have also announced is going around again.
“I am genuinely excited to take over the Cats, and short-term looking forward to familiarising myself with the playing group over the rest of season 2026 before we head into 2027,” Carbis said.
The announcement comes amid a hard push for GVL finals, with Mooroopna currently seventh but tied on 32 points with Rochester, Shepparton United, and Kyabram with three games to play.
The Cats play Euroa (10th), Mansfield (ninth), and Echuca (second) on the run home and are coming off a rousing 27-point over the Demons.
Mooroopna’s under-18 side, fourth, is also well-poised to play finals and a win this weekend would all but seal a place for the 2025 thirds grand finalist.
The man that helped guide them there will also go around again next year, with Tim Loughran set to extend his tenure into a third season.
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