A best-and-fairest winner and premiership player for the Bloods, Moloney will line up with Geelong Football League (GFL) club Leopold next season. He will join his cousin Alex at the club. The Bloods have also lost forwards Chris Bant and Mark Clissold. Moloney played 14 games for Terang Mortlake in 2018 after returning following a premiership with Warrnambool and District league club Kolora-Noorat in 2017.

Terang Mortlake coach Michael Sargeant said Moloney would be a big loss.

“Joel lives in Melbourne so he will cut out a bit of travel and he is also keen to have a crack at that higher level,” Sargeant said.

“It’s disappointing to lose him but we don’t begrudge him the chance to test himself in the GFL.”

Sargeant said the loss of Moloney and other key players opened the door for others at the club to step up.

The Bloods won the reserves grand final this year and Sargeant believes there is plenty of improvement from within.

“This year was a bit disappointing results-wise, but we felt we made a fair bit of ground in the way we played,” he said.

“That was evident in the momentum the reserves gathered as the year went on.

“Guys who may have missed opportunities this year can push for more senior games. We are active with our recruiting so hopefully we can also bring in a few new players.”