Sport
16 April, 2026
Tigers start season strong
WOORNDOO/Mortlake has started the season strongly in the Mininera senior football competition, defeating Tatyoon by 46 points in the round one clash.
The Tigers led all day to record a 13.11.89 to 6.7.43 win at the Tatyoon Recreation Reserve.
“It was a really good start, I knew we had a pretty good team on paper, but it was the first time the boys properly all laid eyes on each other,” new Woorndoo/Mortlake coach Tom Ludeman said.
“They gelled really quickly, quicker than what I thought, which was fantastic.”
Tim Rhook was best on ground in his first game in Tigers colours since crossing from Warrnambool.
“Timmy rucked all day, he did a fantastic job around the ground, held his own really well, he was really damaging.”
Austin Steere, another Woorndoo/Mortlake first gamer recruited from Warrnambool, and Damien McCorkell, in his second year at the Tigers, also impressed their coach.
“Austin can do everything, jump and run and hit the scoreboard too, he played really well which was expected, but to do it as well as he did was fantastic.
“Damien is just a wise head, he was damaging right across the ground and played really well.”
Steere and another recruit in Zack Lubeek led the goal kickers with three each.
“Zack is a quality forward, just get the ball near him and he’s damaging.
“He’s a really good leader as well, he’s helping out with the coaching role a bit too, with Zack having coached Avoca previously and Damien Pemberton back from coaching Simpson, there’s some really good help there.”
This week Woorndoo/Mortlake will host last season’s runners-up Ararat Eagles.
“We’ll sorta see where we are again this week coming up with them having played off in the final last year.
“But, we’re confident, we’re a quick young team, we’ll only get better and better as the rounds roll along, which is exciting.”
In the reserves, an undermanned Tigers were defeated by Tatyoon 7.9.51 to 2.6.18.
Best for Woorndoo/Mortlake were Tyne Anderson, Matthew Bourchier and Shannon Turland-Rhook, with Turland Rhook kicking both goals.
In the under 17 football, Tatyoon won 12.10.82 to 1.2.8.
Matthew Pilcher kicked the only goal for the Tigers.
In the under 13 football, Tatyoon registered a 5.3.33 to 1.3.9 win.
Nicholi Bourchier kicked the lone goal and was named best alongside Alexander Pilcher and Sam McCorkell.
The A grade netball saw Tatyoon have a comfortable 64-37 win.
“It was the first game we’ve really got to play together, and unfortunately we had a couple out and Tatyoon are a very good team,” new Woorndoo/Mortlake co-coach Renae Reynolds said.
“There’s lots of improvement to happen, but a lot of good things came out of our game.”
Reynolds and Ash Spokes came to the co-coaching roles late in the pre-season but see plenty of upside in the Tigers’ netball program.
“We are still very excited for the year, there’s a lot of potential to happen in our team.
“We came in pretty late, so we hadn’t had much of a chance for recruiting, but still overall between all the grades, we’ve got plenty of numbers which is fantastic.”
New recruit Rachael Waterson was best for Woorndoo/Mortlake in the loss.
“Rachael played a very consistent game in centre and wing attack.
“She got lots of hands to balls and lots of drives down the court for us, she stood up extremely well against a very strong competitor in (Tatyoon centre) Alice Astbury.”
Nicole Anderson led the Woorndoo/Mortlake scorers with 29 goals.
Reynolds is looking forward to the challenge of playing another strong team in the Ararat Eagles this week.
“It’ll be another good hit out and good to see where we stand against one of the top teams.”
Tatyoon also took out the B grade netball with a 28-14 win.
Annalise Abbott was best for Woorndoo/Mortlake and led the scoring with seven goals.
In C grade, Tatyoon had a 28-15 win.
Alana Wickham shot 13 goals with mid-courter Leilani McArthur named as the Tigers best.
The 17 and under netball was a close encounter, Tatyoon scoring a 38-35 win.
Wing defence Maddi Cameron was Woorndoo/Mortlake’s best, with Indi Wardlaw shooting 23 goals.
Tatyoon registered a 30-23 win in the 15 and under game.
Indi Wardlaw scored 18 goals, with Lexi Harris named as best.
In the 13 and under game, Tatyoon scored a 17-15 win.
Arya Bourchier was the best for the junior Tigers, with Paige Maddock shooting 12 goals.