Consistency the goal for Milton-Ulladulla in 2026 as young Bulldogs prepare to take centre stage
Tallon Smith
The Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs are hoping for greater consistency heading into the new Group 7 season as they look to build on a strong finish to their 2025 campaign.
After five consecutive losses in the second half of the year, the Bulldogs finished the season with two wins over Jamberoo and Berry to finish in sixth position, eight points adrift of fifth-placed Gerringong.
Milton-Ulladulla coach Andy Lynch said that despite the fact his side missed the finals last year, he was happy with the progress they made over the course of the season, with the Bulldogs being competitive in the vast majority of matches.
“Even though we lost out on the five last year, I was very happy with how they went,” he said.
“In previous years we played in patches, we’d play well for a little bit and then we’d drop off, but I actually thought last year, there was probably four of five games that we definitely should have lost, a couple of scores blew out, but I thought the rest of them we hung in there right until the end where it could have gone either way.
“That’s all I ask of them, to play for that full 80 minutes and be committed, don’t let heads drop, and just play what’s in front of you.”
On the recruitment front, the Bulldogs have had a quiet off-season, with just one addition to last year’s squad in Mitch Simington, who returns to the side after a year out of the game with injury.
Lynch said that Simington’s experience will be invaluable for the squad, offering a chance for younger players to learn from playing alongside the former Australian Defence Force representative player.
“He’s had a year off, he had a couple of injuries last season so he didn’t play at all, but he has come back to us this year,” he said.
“Just having Mitch around the place, obviously he’s a little bit older than the younger guys we’ve got now, so just the experience and direction, will help these young kids throughout the year.”
“We’ve had just the one major signing, but we’ve got some good kids coming through in the reggies system so it’s going to be an exciting season.”
In terms of emerging first graders, the Bulldogs are spoiled for talent, with Harry Tan, Chayce Brown, Koby Windshuttle, Blake Jones, and coach Lynch’s son Kye all expected to play increased roles in the top grade this season.
The former Great Britain international said that he has been impressed by what he has seen from players such as Tan and Lynch over the off-season, while also highlighting a returning player who he also expects will see some first grade action.
“Harry, he’s obviously had his fair share of problems with injuries, but this pre-season he’s turned up and he’s absolutely ripping it up, he’s one of the standouts to be fair, so he’ll be definitely one to watch this year,” Lynch said.
“Kye Lynch, he played a fair few games last year, and he’ll be up there this year playing from the under 18s last year.
“Then you’ve got another group in the reggies, we’ve got a guy called Ben Russell who’s been overseas for a couple of years now and he’s come back and he’s experienced, and he will be playing first grade at some point.
“It’s exciting all across [the park with] them young kids coming through, the future’s looking very bright down at Milton for us.”
Meanwhile, the club has also had four losses over the off-season, with Kye Farmilo, Lleyton Roach, Blake Osgood and Jake Walsh all set to miss the 2026 campaign.
Lynch said that while the loss of five-eighth Walsh is a big blow for the Bulldogs he is excited about the opportunities that await players willing to step up and fill the void this season.
“We’ve actually lost Jake Walsh through injury this year, he started training on his own probably four weeks before we started the pre-season and he actually did his achilles, so he’s out for the majority of the year [and] he will be a big loss for us,” he said.
“I know it’s disappointing for him, but it’s an opportunity for someone else to step up and take control.
“It’s going to be a challenge, but it’s one that everyone is looking forward to.”
As for whether he thinks Bulldogs will secure a top five finish this year, Lynch said that he is confident that should things go to plan his side will be thereabouts come September.
“I have no doubt if they can be consistent in what they do week in week out, I have no doubt we’ll make finals footy and get Milton back on the map,” he said.
“Once you get into the finals, you never know what can happen.”
Milton-Ulladulla will begin its season with a clash against Berry-Shoalhaven Heads at the Group 7 Magic Round on April 11.