BENDIGO Strikers have sights on a first-up victory at home when the Victorian Netball League’s championship and 23-under action starts this Sunday.<\/p>\n
Coached by Tracey Brereton in both competitions, Strikers are banking on a big turn-out at Red Energy Arena in West Bendigo for round one of the ’25 campaign.<\/p>\n
More than 1000 fans were at REA to witness all three of the Strikers home games last season.<\/p>\n
The Strikers will be aiming to build on the momentum from a sixth-place finish and a win-loss tally of 9-11 in its debut VNL season.<\/p>\n
The championship match starts at 3pm.<\/p>\n
In mid-court the Strikers have Kangaroo Flat’s Chelsea Sartori who has twice netted the Betty Thompson Medal as best and fairest in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL.<\/p>\n
Sartori takes on the added challenge as captain of a team that includes Kangaroos’ clubmates Ash Ryan and Milly Wicks.<\/p>\n
The Strikers have gained Melbourne Mavericks training partner Emma Walters to strengthen mid-court rotations.<\/p>\n
Attacking options include Amelia Brock, Bridgette Furphy and Teal Hocking.<\/p>\n
The versatile Heather Oliver is a gun at netball and basketball.<\/p>\n
This season she joins forces with another gun goaler in Gabe Richards who was a team-mate when Bendigo Spirit won the Women’s National Basketball League title in 2013-14.<\/p>\n
A strong Strikers defence will be led by Zoe Davies, Charlotte Sexton and Ruby Turner.<\/p>\n
After an injury-riddled’24, Meg Williams is also preparing to return to the court.<\/p>\n
Sunday’s action starts with the 23-under match at 1.30pm.<\/p>\n
Talented mid-courter Shae Clifford was club fairest and best in ’24 and will captain the Strikers this season.<\/p>\n
A new-look team at 23-under level includes goalshooter Ella Kerlin from Colbinabbin, Jorja Clode in attack, Shepparton’s Elsie Boyer and Echuca’s Asha Gray in mid-court.<\/p>\n
The club has also signed tall defender Eliza<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BENDIGO Strikers have sights on a first-up victory at home when the Victorian Netball League’s championship and 23-under action starts this Sunday. Coached by Tracey Brereton in both competitions, Strikers are banking on a big turn-out at Red Energy Arena in West Bendigo for round one of the ’25 campaign. More than 1000 fans were […]<\/p>\n