Strikers young guns become the VNL queens of the close one

IT’S not just the six wins that have been satisfying for the Bendigo Strikers 23-and-under side in the early part of the VNL season, it’s been the margins.

The Strikers have earned a reputation as the queens of the close one.

In a sign of growing confidence, level-headedness and resilience, the Strikers have continued to deliver in clutch moments.

For the fifth time in 2025, the Strikers won by single digits when they overcame a persistent Geelong Cougars by four goals last week.

Only once – in round two against Western Warriors – have they won a game by more than five goals.

Add in a one-goal win to kickstart the season against Peninsula Waves and a two-goal thriller over Boroondara Express in round three, and Strikers games have become no place for the faint of heart.

While it has certainly tested the nerves, the Strikers faithful aren’t bothered by it.

Coach Carol Cathcart can only see positives in the team’s fighting spirit.

“There’s no doubt about this group, they have been in close games almost every week, but they just never give up,” she said.

“They work really hard for each other, they stick to the game plan, do what you ask them to do and never give up.

“They are a great group from that perspective.”

In only their second season in the VNL, the Strikers have served notice that they are here to stay and here to compete for titles.

After winning only four games in their debut season in 2024, they were able to match that tally within the first four weeks of this season, before their lone blemish in a 72-59 loss to top-of-the-ladder North East Blaze in round five.

Following their April 30 win over Geelong, Cathcart was especially chuffed by the development of the Strikers’ young defensive group, led by state 19-and-under representative Eliza Mooney, and featuring BFNL young guns Harriett Whiteacre (Sandhurst) and Megan Wilson (Kangaroo Flat).

“The great thing about our defensive unit is they are all so young, even for 23s, as they are all still eligible for 19-and-under,” she said.

“Obviously, Harriett is only bottom age and turning 18 later this year.

“To be in a 23-and-under competition and have all of our defenders eligible for 19-and-under shows that we have a really good future coming through.

“They work hard and have a really great desire to learn and get better and to try new strategies, so that they are able to turn the ball over for us.”

Cathcart was quick to emphasise the importance to the group of absent defender Abby Larkin, who missed the Cougars clash due to work commitments.

At 6-1 going into this week’s clash against Gippsland Stars, the Strikers have set themselves up for a big second half of the season by climbing into third spot on the ladder.

Cathcart is backing the Strikers to continue their hard work and diligence as they look to lock down a spot in the upper echelon of the VNL ladder.

“Had you have said at the start of the year that we would be in this spot after last year, you wouldn’t have believed it,” she said.

“But the girls have just bonded so well as a group, have supported each other and have worked hard.

“The wonderful thing as a coach is that you have no hesitation putting any of these girls on the court, as you know they are going to take their opportunity, and it’s about getting the matchups right.

“We know we can make changes that can bring strength and different abilities onto the court.

“That makes it really difficult for the opposition to match us because we have so many different combos and players with different strengths.

“It’s just exciting that we have such a good crop of youngsters coming through, so that we have a pipeline going through to our championship team and that we develop our own and don’t have to rely on trying to recruit from others.”

KIERAN ILES