Sport
30 July, 2026
Tigers continue march to finals
WOORNDOO/Mortlake was too strong for the Ararat Eagles on Saturday, recording a 64-point win in the round 13 Mininera and District senior football match.
game to run out 15.17.107 to 6.7.43 winners at Alexandra Oval.
“They came out of the gates absolutely firing,” Woorndoo/Mortlake coach Tom Ludeman said.
“It was good to have that sort of early challenge as we head towards finals.”
The Tigers mentor was thrilled with how his team then played out the game.
“We just outran them in the second half and kept increasing our lead.
“It meant we weren’t complacent, we wanted to practice good habits and finish with good habits which we did.”
Continuing his strong form, Wil Fleming was best for the Tigers.
“Wil is really going well, he’s had a great season and is a vital player for us.”
Ludeman was also pleased with the performances of veterans Damien McCorkell and Damien Pemberton.
“Two older boys who have got footy wits and brains about them.
“They’re all over it with their leadership out on the ground, it’s like having two on-field coaches which is handy.”
McCorkell kicked four goals and Pemberton two, with another veteran in Wayne Loader kicking three.
“Wayne fits into that sort of list with the two Damien’s with his leadership and that sort of wiser head out there.
“He has good voice and keeps the boys engaged when they drop away.”
This week Woorndoo/Mortlake hosts fifth placed Glenthompson/Dunkeld at the Woorndoo Recreation Reserve.
“They’ll be a good challenge, we just want to keep setting ourselves up for the pointy end of the season,” Ludeman said.
The reserves match saw Ararat score an 18.9.117 to 1.3.9 win.
Jacob Leehane, Chris Crawley, Elijah Bradbury, Jack Gaut, Shannon Turland-Rhook and Dylan Keane were the Tigers best in the loss, with Crawley kicking the only goal.
There was no under 17 football with Ararat not fielding a team.
The under 13 football saw Woorndoo/Mortlake score a 3.6.24 to 2.0.12 win.
Best for the junior Tigers were Sam McCorkell, Jack Liston, Oliver Harris, Mason Crawley, Gus Carmody and Nicholi Bourchier, with Harris, Bourchier and Jack Allen kicking a goal each.
The A grade netball saw Woorndoo Mortlake record a 59-49 win.
Sarah Cameron and Renae Reynolds were Woorndoo/Mortlake’s best, with Cameron shooting 38 goals and Ash Spokes 21.
In B grade, Ararat scored a 40-22 win.
Sarah Muir and Jaime Killen were the Tigers best, with Brooke O’Brien shooting 13 goals and Chloe Goldsworthy nine.
The C grade game saw Ararat score a strong 40-13 win.
Annalise Abbott and Ella Jones were best for Woorndoo/Mortlake in the loss, with Abbott shooting eight goals.
Woorndoo/Mortlake won the 17 and under netball 52-25.
Ava Wardlaw scored 21 goals, Indi Wardlaw 15 and Layla Wardlaw 14 in the win.
Woorndoo/Mortlake had a 45-18 win in the 15 and under game.
Ivy Wardlaw scored 18 goals, Ashlee Killen 12 and Natalie Krepp 11, with Krepp and Wardlaw the Tigers best.
The 13 and under game saw Woorndoo/Mortlake score a 40-16 win.
Paige Maddock shot 32 goals and was best for the junior Tigers along with Charlotte Allen.