Sport
22 July, 2026
Tigers reappoint Ludeman
WOORNDOO/Mortlake has announced the reappointment of senior football coach Tom Ludeman for the 2027 season.
In his first season in charge of the club, Ludeman has the Tigers sitting in second spot on the ladder with 11 wins and one loss after 12 rounds.
“It’s been pretty good at the club, I just see exciting things up there now and going forward,” Ludeman said.
“Who knows what we can achieve this year, and I reckon we can take it up another notch next year with a few more points up our sleeve and things like that.”
Ludeman said the club atmosphere was a big reason to keep his involvement.
“It’s just a really nice, tight-knit community with really good people.
“There’s a real buzz around the place, just the supporters and the Thursday night dinners and Saturday night dinners and the junior program, it’s just a good feel.”
Club president Shane Jubb was thrilled to have Ludeman commit to a second season in charge after originally being slated to be an assistant to Jai Middleton in 2026.
“When Jai had to leave and head home, that left us up in the air a little bit and ‘Ludes’ was assistant coach anyway; he jumped into the role and he’s just been brilliant,” Jubb said.
“He’s probably jumped in the role a lot better and suited it a lot better than we thought he would in his first year; he’s just grabbed it with both hands, really taken it on and really going well with it.”
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Jubb said Ludeman had helped fast track what was supposed to be a rebuilding stage for Woorndoo/Mortlake.
“At the end of last season, we sort of looked at an ageing list and we thought we would have to regroup, find some young players and that it might take us a couple of years to get this rebuilding stage underway and we’ve probably gone a lot better than we thought we would.
“The young group are really good, they gelled together more or less straight away, they’re a great group of young fellows with a good mix of the older blokes, and they seem to be making it work.”
Jubb said Ludeman had instilled plenty of enthusiasm among the playing group.
“He’s passionate about the club, he’s excited about where it’s going, he keeps in touch with all the players, really communicates well and keeps them focused on where they’re at.
“He’s put a lot of hard work in it early in the year so it’s starting to pay off for him now; he’s actually brought the playing group together and we’re ticking along okay at the moment.”
Jubb added that reappointing Ludeman was an easy decision given what he has added to the club.
“Tom’s been great for the club, brought a lot with him and a lot of new ideas and he’s really club orientated with his family.
“His family is great too, so it’s fantastic to have them all around the club.”