Sport
23 April, 2026
Tigers roar at home
WOORNDOO/Mortlake made it two wins from two games in the Mininera senior football competition after an 80-point win over last season’s grand finalists, the Ararat Eagles, on Saturday.
The Tigers won every quarter to record a 21.17.143 to 9.9.63 win at the Woorndoo Recreation Reserve.
“It’s nice to make a statement early on in the season,” Woorndoo/Mortlake coach Tom Ludeman said.
“Considering that we lost two lads in the first 10 minutes and we still produced what we did was really, really pleasing.”
After key forward Zack Lubeek went down with a hamstring injury, the Tigers shared the load with 10 individual goalkickers contributing to the score.
“We doubled their inside 50s every quarter, which is really promising, just goes to show we can share the load pretty easily.
“The lads were down to one rotation for the whole game against a benchmark team in Ararat, and they did it easily which was really good.”
With Lubeek injured, Jordan Buckley led the Woorndoo/Mortlake goalkickers with five.
“Big Bucks, he rolled in and just picked up where he left off from the last time he played for the club.
“He was fantastic with his five goals, he’s a big unit and was damaging for us.”
Wil Fleming, recruited from Hawthorn Amateurs, was best for the Tigers in the win.
“Wil plays that sort of defensive mid, but also gets his 30 touches and he hit the scoreboard as well.
“He’s just a good leader all over the ground, lifts up the young fellas, a presence wherever he is and just a really good addition to the team.”
James Coghlan-West and Kane Killen were also in the best for the Tigers.
“James is consistent, he’s put in a power of work over the pre-season and that is showing early on, he’s a good player.
“Kano’s skills are exceptional, his kicking is the best I've seen.”
In the reserves, Woorndoo/Mortlake registered its first win of the season, 13.15.93 to 3.7.25.
Hugo Stockman and Charlie Mahncke kicked three goals each and were best for the Tigers along with Jack Bone, Tyne Anderson, Nicholas Hausler and Brent Fedley.
Woorndoo/Mortlake had the bye in the under 17 football with Ararat not fielding a team in that grade this year.
In the under 13 football, Woorndoo/Mortlake had an impressive 8.9.57 to 1.0.6 win.
Oliver Harris kicked two goals, with one each to Zach Dolling, Gus Carmody, Tommy Fox, Jack Allen and Nicholi Bourchier.
Blair O’Leary, Tommy Fox and Gus Carmody were best for the junior Tigers in their first win for 2026.
The Ararat Eagles took out the A grade netball with a 59-47 win.
Despite suffering an injury late in the game, Nicole Anderson was best for Woorndoo/Mortlake in the loss, with Ash Spokes shooting 27 goals and Nicole Anderson 20.
The Eagles also took out the B grade netball with a 21-18 win.
Defender Lucy Carmody was best for Woorndoo/Mortlake, with Brooke O'Brien, Ava Wardlaw and Sophie Sumner shooting six goals each.
In C grade, Ararat had a 45-11 win.
Chelsea McCoash shot eight goals with Georgia Kennedy named as the Tigers best.
The 17 and under netball saw Woorndoo/Mortlake score a 39-11 win.
Layla Wardlaw was Woorndoo/Mortlake’s best, with Indi Wardlaw and Ava Wardlaw both shooting 13 goals and Reagan Mifsud 11.
Woorndoo/Mortlake registered a strong 38-9 win in the 15 and under game.
Ivy Wardlaw scored 21 goals and Natalie Krepp 17, with Mia Wardlaw named as best.
In the 13 and under game, the junior Tigers scored a narrow 14-13 win.
Charlotte Allen was the best for the junior Tigers, with Paige Maddock shooting 14 goals.
The Mininera league has the ANZAC weekend off, with the Tigers next game on May 2 against Glenthompson/Dunkeld at Dunkeld.