23-and-unders Strike first blow

A FRESH look Bendigo Strikers 23-and-unders made a stunning start to the 2026 VNL season, toppling Boroondara Express by 11 goals at Red Energy Arena on Saturday.

After a tight first three quarters, the Strikers took full control in the final quarter, turning a one-point lead at three-quarter time into a 57-46 triumph.

It was a dream start for new coach Fiona Boyer, whose side delivered an impressive and resilient victory, despite the absence of key personnel, including consistent defender Harriett Whiteacre and midcourter Amity Drayton.

She said the most pleasing aspect of the performance was their perseverance.

“The girls really had to fight that one out, but it was really good to see that they could do that,” Boyer said.

“They did everything they have been working on and were well rewarded out there.

“While the last quarter was great, there were signs early on of us putting the foot down and being able to break away. We got four goals up at one stage early but let them come back.

“But they never stopped working and the last quarter we were able to push it out again.”

The Strikers led at all three changes of end – by four at quarter-time, by two at the main break and by one at three-quarter time.

A strong start and finish included 17 goals in the opening term and only one less in the last quarter.

After a revamp over the pre-season, highlighted by the elevation of last year’s skipper Shae Clifford and goal shooter Mia McCrann-Peters to the championship team, the 23-and-unders included five debutantes – Emily Miles, Alice Kain, Sophie Garner, Jasmine Burke and Bridie Kelly, who stepped up from the Strikers’ reserves team.

 

Of the five, two were starters, with Miles lining up in centre and Kain in defence alongside last season’s best and fairest winner Eliza Mooney.

Boyer said it was pleasing to give all 12 players a run, but insisted it was not by design, more a reaction to how the game unfolded.

“We coached to what was going on out there and what we needed and we didn’t know what that meant for the players and what the game would bring,” she said.

“But everyone got their opportunity and did their job at the time.

“Things will ebb and flow throughout the year, but it was really nice to get everyone out there.

“That was a reward for a really strong pre-season.”

Team leaders Elsie Boyer (captain) and Asha Gray (co-vice-captain) set the tone for the Strikers with exceptional efforts in the midcourt, while in attack Jorja Clode and Ella Kerlin combined brilliantly.

The win will serve as a real confidence boost for the Strikers ahead of another showdown in Bendigo this Sunday against reigning 23-and-under champions Melbourne University Lightning.

“I think the girls would have gotten plenty of confidence out of (Saturday),” coach Boyer said.

“Hopefully we can build on that, start again and repeat the effort.

“We come out of today with some things to work on Wednesday night, but it’s a great start.”

 

New skipper Elsie Boyer praised a mature and patient performance and their ability to convert from turnovers when the game was in the balance.

“Boroondara are a really quality team; we played them in a praccy match, so we knew it would be a tough match,” she said.

“I think we rode the highs and the lows throughout and kept calm and in that last quarter we kept control and pushed it out.

“Our defenders were amazing. I think the likes of Asha, Moons out the back, Em (Miles) and Bridie (Kelly) in that last quarter just got lots of hands to balls and I think we were just calm and composed in working it to the circle edge.”

In her second season with the Strikers, Boyer was rapt to see the influx of newcomers get their opportunity against the Express, capitalising on their hard work during the pre-season.

“We spoke at the start of the game to just stay connected and keep communicating and I think that really held us in good stead for those girls who had a few nerves,” she said.

“We’ve been trying out lots of different combinations (in pre-season); and getting to know each other off the court is a really big one.

“And then just working hard while we are at training.”

The Strikers’ round two clash against the Lightning stars at 1.30pm this Sunday on court one.