EXCLUSIVE: Gundagai get their man as Tigers mentor locked in for premiership defence

Tallon Smith

The Gundagai Tigers have finally secured a coach for the upcoming season after the departure of premiership-winning mentor Aaron Gorrell.

Former Bulldogs lower grader and Wagga Kangaroos junior Hayden Ashcroft will take the reins at the Tigers in 2026 after playing in the club’s title-winning side this year.

Speaking on his recent appointment, Ashcroft said that it was an opportunity that he couldn’t let pass.

“It was a bit of a late decision, but after a successful year it makes it a lot easier, and obviously with Gorrell departing it’s a good opportunity,” he said.

“I think we’ve got a great side still, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Hayden Ashcroft will lead the Gundagai Tigers’ title defence (*Photo: Tahlia Crane Photography*)

After defeating a heavily favoured Kangaroos side in the Grand Final this year, the Tigers have seen some change, with coach Aaron Gorrell departing the club to join St George Illawarra as Jersey Flegg coach and leading forward Joel Field hanging up the boots.

When asked what his expectations are for 2026, Ashcroft said that while the club has retained most of its title-winning side, he is not setting the bar too high this early in the pre-season.

“I think we’ve retained most of our players, Joel Field’s obviously retired, but I think we’ve got a very similar roster and obviously looking to bolster some numbers,” he said.

“It’s just one of those things, as fast as it’s approaching, a lot happens in such a quick time, so I just let those things unfold.

“I’d like to hope that we are in the picture, obviously everyone strives to win a premiership.

“We obviously had the side this year to get the job done.

“I think it’ll probably be a similar result next year if we can keep building each week and putting ourselves in the picture.

“I don’t want to have overly [high] expectations on the team, as good as it is to win a premiership, it’s not something that we want to rely upon.

“It’s a new year and obviously there’s going to be plenty of new teams and players, a lot of teams will have a lot of new inclusions which changes the whole dynamic, so I guess we’ll just take it as it comes.”

Ashcroft won a title in his first season at Anzac Park this year (*Photo: Tahlia Crane Photography*)

After spending some time in the Raiders junior system, Ashcroft joined the Bulldogs, where he played under 20s and made it as far as the NSW Cup team, only for injury to rob him of more opportunities.

Following this, he played overseas in the US competition with Boston before taking an extended break away from the game to focus on other areas of life.

Now, after returning to rugby league at Gundagai and rediscovering his love for the game, he believes he is well equipped to lead the Tigers in their premiership defence.

“I lost the love of footy there, that’s why I wanted to focus on something outside of football, but after coming back this year especially, the first half of the year travelling down from Sydney, I wasn’t putting much pressure on myself and on a personal level had no expectations of us winning a premiership and things just kept unfolding,” he said.

“The best part about it is building mateships and getting to play football with your mates.

“At my age now there’s less pressure, it’s more getting to enjoy that time with your family and friends around the game instead of pressuring yourself to do well.

“Bush footy’s great, it’s what we grew up playing and it’s always nice to come back to.”

The Tigers’ title defence is set to begin on April 19 as per the draft Group 9 draw.