Sport
9 April, 2026
Tigers head to Tatyoon
WOORNDOO Mortlake will start the Mininera and District Football League season this Saturday with an away game at Tatyoon.
The Tigers have had a mixed off-season, with newly appointed coach Jai Middleton stepping down in February, replaced by assistant coach Tom Ludeman.
The Tigers have announced a strong list of player signings.
New to the club include former Avoca coach and key forward Zack Lubeek, Port Fairy defender Zeb McKenna, midfielder Wil Fleming (who was captain and best and fairest for Hawthorn Amateurs in 2025), former Warrnambool and University Blacks utility Austin Steere, and Koroit midfielder Jack Coghlan-West.
Returning to the club are forward Jordan Buckley and defender Jesse Johnson, along with Keilan Webster-Bamford who returns from Kolora Noorat.
Departures include Darcy Graham and Otto Opperman, both returning to Warrnambool, and Isaac Fowler to Camperdown.
James Henry has signed on for a second year as reserves coach after winning six games in 2025.
The Mininera league has changed the junior age brackets from under 16.5s and under 12s to under 17s and under 13s in 2026.
Senior player Tom Gough will coach the under 17 team.
The Tigers A grade netball also has had a coaching change, with Bec Rohan originally being reappointed, then standing down after leading most of the pre-season, with Renae Reynolds, Nik Richie and Ash Spokes taking over as a three person A grade coaching panel.
Kristy Crawley takes over as B grade coach, with Sara Kosch and Gabby Taylor to lead the C grade team.
Crawley will also coach the under 18 netballers, Rachael Krepp will lead the 15 and under team, Alison Greig and Jenna Clark will coach the 13 and under team, with the 13 and under reserves to be guided by Ava Wardlaw.