Strikers aim to clip Falcons’ wings

BENDIGO Strikers will be aiming to clip the City West Falcons’ wings when they meet in next Wednesday night’s Victorian Netball League championship match.

The Strikers and Falcons will take to court six at the State Netball Centre in Parkville for a 7pm start.

The Tracey Brereton-coached Strikers took a two-nil record into last Wednesday night’s match against Boroondora Express in Parkville.

Bendigo and City West have shown they have plenty of attacking power in consecutive wins to open the 2025 season.

The Strikers tamed the Western Warriors in last Sunday’s match at Cobblebank Stadium in Melton.

A newcomer to the Strikers squad, Gabe Richards, sunk 45 goals at 84 per cent.

One of the region’s most talented athletes on the basketball and netball court, Richards was a dual championship-winner with the Bendigo Spirit in Women’s National Basketball League action in 2013 and 2014.

On the netball court, Richards won a premiership with Golden Square in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL, and also starred as player and co-coach in Elmore’s premiership victories of 2022 and 2024.

Richards and Teal Hocking (17 goals) capitalised on the work of Strikers mid-courters Chelsea Sartori, Ash Ryan, Emma Walters and Milly Wicks.

A strong squad for the Strikers includes the versatile Heather Oliver, who played as goal attack against the Warriors.

Oliver is a multiple premiership winner with Sandhurst and also played in a WNBL championship with Bendigo Spirit in 2014.

City West Falcons has passed the 80-goal mark in consecutive wins.

An 85-41 result for the Falcons against Western Warriors was followed by an 84-37 victory against Gippsland Stars in the secnd round.

It’s been a two-nil start for the Strikers in the 23-and-under competition.

Next Wednesday’s 23-and-under clash with the Falcons starts at 8.45pm on court six at the Parkville complex.