Sport
18 September, 2025
Tigers look to season 2026
PREPARATIONS for the 2026 football season are already well underway for Woorndoo/Mortlake under new coach Jai Middleton.
The well-travelled footballer played 15 games for 17 goals in his first season at the Tigers in 2025 and was named as Isaac Templeton’s successor as coach in August.
But playing wasn’t on Middleton’s mind when he moved to the district.
“I moved here for work and was not planning on playing, but the community and social aspect dragged me in,” Middleton said.
“I’ve enjoyed it socially, it’s a good family club with a great group of members.”
The more Middleton got involved, the more the conversations turned towards a potential coaching move.
“I enjoyed the season, we were hoping to do a little bit better, make the top five and do some damage but we just missed out,” Middleton said of the 2025 season where the Tigers finished half a game out of the top five.
“We had a six game losing streak that really cost us dearly, a few games we should have won.”
Middleton’s career has seen him play at clubs all around Australia, starting in the under 17s, then under 19s and on the senior list at SANFL club Sturt and a stint at Northern Territory Football League club, St Mary’s.
“All my moves have been worked related, I've always played footy wherever I've gone.”
Now 39, Middleton still has some footy left despite conceding he will put coaching first.
“The body is holding up well but the priority is to coach.
“I’ve always had an ambition to coach, the preference is to be a non-playing coach but I will play as required.”
Tom Ludeman, who had an injury interrupted first year at Woorndoo/Mortlake in 2025, will serve as assistant coach.
The Tigers are keen for more footy from the versatile Ludeman, who played 235 games for the Warrnambool Blues in the Hampden League.
“Tom has stepped up to a playing assistant role, he will add a lot on field and is playing a big part in our recruiting push.”
Middleton and Ludeman are working on the 2026 list, with keeping the playing group together a priority.
“There’s a couple of older guys not going on, which we knew.
“Our biggest job is retention, getting recommitment and buy-in from 50 odd players is very important.”
Recruiting is also on the agenda.
“As well as retaining the bulk of our list, we’ll be recruiting like everyone else.”
Middleton said with the club’s age profile, the Tigers would have a big focus on bringing youth and leg speed in to balance out the list.
“We want to set the club up not just for 2026, we want to be sustainable year after year.
“We’ve got a good group of 17, 18 year olds who’ve come back, we want to add to that core.”
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