Bendigo Strikers’ VNL Championship side will be hard to beat this season, with the club re-signing Melbourne Mavericks training partner Charlotte Sexton; regaining former Australian Diamond defender Kristiana Manu'a and 2024 Australia 21/U squad midcourter Harriet Gall; signing former England Rose Elle McDonald; and elevating Shae Clifford who was the VNL 23&Under 2025 MVP.
The club’s 23&Under side is also ready for another strong year after making finals in their second VNL season.
Championship athletes
2025 VNL finish: 5th
In: Hayley Howard (Wilson Storage Southern Saints), Dayna Williams (Melbourne University Lightning), Elle McDonald (UK Netball Super League), Mia McCrann-Peters (elevated from Bendigo Strikers 23&Under), Shae Clifford (elevated from Bendigo Strikers 23&Under), Kristiana Manu'a (returning to club)
Returning: Ruby Turner, Charlotte Sexton, Teal Hocking, Meg Williams, Harriet Gall, Zoe Davies, Gabrielle Richards, Chelsea Sartori, Heather Oliver
Out: Amelia Brock, Ashley Ryan, Bridgette Furphy, Emma Walters, Milly Wicks, Chloe Langley
There are stars all over the court in Bendigo Strikers’ Championship team. Already a strong side who placed 5th with 12 wins in 2025, this side could push for a premiership in 2026.
The team’s 2025 MVP Charlotte Sexton will lead the way in defence after making the 2025 VNL Team of the Year, playing a stellar 2025 Netball World Youth Cup campaign, and joining the Melbourne Mavericks as a 2026 training partner.
Sexton is well supported by Zoe Davies, who made her SSN debut with Collingwood in 2022, and also was named in the 2025 VNL Team of the Year.
Bendigo’s defence will be even stronger in 2026 with former Australian Diamonds/Giants Netball/Sunshine Coast Lightning athlete Kristiana Manu'a returning to the club. The New Zealand-born athlete previously played a handful of games in Bendigo’s first VNL season in 2024 while part of the Melbourne Mavericks squad.
Ruby Turner has also re-signed and will be one to watch this season after making the Melbourne Vixens Reserves team for a second year.
New to Bendigo’s defenders this season is Dayna Williams, who played in Melbourne University Lightning’s 2025 23&Under grand final winning team. Bendigo Strikers head coach Tracey Brereton said signing Williams was a “no brainer,” adding, “this is a perfect opportunity for us to get another home country talent and expose Dayna to Championship on a full-time basis. She is a hungry, determined, and aggressive defender.”
Bendigo’s midcourt is equally stacked with new and returning talent, starting with attacking midcourter Elle McDonald, who has been appointed captain. A Victorian pathway athlete, McDonald played for Adelaide Thunderbirds in 2020-2022, the UK Super League in 2023-2025, and debuted for the England Roses in 2023. “What a recruit!” said Brereton. “Elle is a country girl who played a lot of netball around north-east Victoria prior to becoming involved in Victorian Fury and SSN.”
McDonald will connect with C/WA Shae Clifford who has earned a Championship contract after taking out both the VNL 23&Under MVP award and Betty Thompson Medal for A-grade Fairest and Best player in the Bendigo Netball League in 2025. “How could we not elevate her?” said Brereton. “At such a tender age she has grown so much. Her time is now.”
Bendigo is excited to see Harriet Gall back on court after fully recovering from an ACL injury. She was previously a member of the Australian 21/U World Youth Cup squad and is 2026 Melbourne Vixens Reserves training partner.
The club’s experienced midcourters Meg Williams and Chelsea Sartori have re-signed, bringing composure, speed, and smarts to this side. Williams (WA/C) is returning to play following an ankle injury.
A strong lineup of goalers will represent Bendigo this season, starting with Teal Hocking (GA/GS), who was named in the league’s 2025 Team of the Year, and is a 2026 Melbourne Mavericks training partner. Hocking shot 469 goals at 87% last VNL season across goal attack and shooter.
Mia McCrann-Peter has been elevated from the club’s 23&Under side. She was Bendigo’s runner up 23&Under Best and Fairest player in 2025 shooting at 88% across goal attack and shooter in the VNL season.
Hayley Howard has been recruited from Wilson Storage Southern Saints’ 23&Under side where she was their 2025 runner up Best and Fairest. “She’s raw, but has so much talent to work with,” said Brereton. “At a lazy 194cm in height, Hayley will be one of the tallest players in Championship. Her development has already improved in a short time with us. Big things to come.”
Goal shooter Gabrielle Richards has re-signed after joining the club last year as a replacement player for Amelia Brock when suffering illness. Richards will again offer a strong presence under the post as required, drawing on her experience as a former basketballer in the Australian Opals. She shot 576 goals at 89% last VNL season.
Richards will again connect with Heather Oliver, who is also a former basketballer, and Richards’ former teammate at WNBL team Bendigo Spirit. Oliver is extremely versatile, slotting into goal attack, wing defence and goal defence last VNL season.
23&Under athletes
2025 VNL finish: 4th in regular season, 6th in finals
In: Jasmine Burke, Emily Miles, Alice Kain, Sophie Garner, Amity Drayton
Returning: Harriet Whiteacre, Elsie Boyer, Eliza Mooney, Asha Gray, Ella Kerlin, Claire McGee, Jorja Clode, Cayde Hayes
Out: Mia McCrann-Peters (elevated to Championship team), Shae Clifford (elevated to Championship team), Abby Larkin, Megan Wilson, Jas Gallagher, Mackenzie O'Dwyer (North East Blaze)
Bendigo’s 23&Under team had a huge 2025, jumping from 10th place in 2024 to make finals in the club’s second VNL season. ‘They really matched it with all top teams and found a way just to win tough and tight games,” said Brereton.
The club has signed a mix of returning and new athletes for 2026, starting with local defender Harriet Whiteacre (GD/GK) who will play her first full VNL season after being elevated mid last year. Whiteacre has Victorian pathway experience, making the 19/U State Squad (Top 25) in both 2024 and 2025.
Whiteacre will again play with goal keeper Eliza Mooney from Wodonga who had a great 2025 making the league’s 23&Under Team of the Year and playing in the 19/U Victorian State Team for a second consecutive year.
Bendigo has elevated two defenders from their Reserves team to support this dynamic duo in Jasmine Burke (WD/GD) from Albury, and Alice Kain (GD/GK). “Alice shows great height and raw talent, and Jas shows us aggressive play and a fly onto the ball that could really pull off some big intercepts in 23s,” said Brereton.
Re-signed midcourters Elsie Boyer from Shepparton, and predominant wing defence Asha Gray, will be in court leaders with their experience and determination.
Dynamic fellow midcourter Cayde Hayes has earned her first official 23&Under contract after spending 2025 as a training partner.
These returning midcourters will connect with Emily Miles, who has been recruited from City West Falcons Reserves team, and plays locally for the Gisborne team in the Bendigo Netball League alongside several Championship level VNL players. “She is a tall middie who is a workhorse and does everything she can to get on that court,” said Brereton.
Amity Drayton is a defensive midcourter recruit and fellow Gisborne player. “She doesn't back down and has a crack at the ball. Her footwork and fitness are great to watch,” said Brereton.
Sophie Garner is another new player who can cover both midcourt and goals. Originally from Shepparton, she has previous experience in 17/U Victorian State Team, as well as in the City West Falcons and Western Warriors programs. “She is crafty, and looks at home in goals,” said Brereton.
The team’s remaining goals are all familiar faces, starting with goal attack Ella Kerlin, who is a star of the future.
Predominant goal shooter Jorja Clode is looking strong after some injury niggles in 2025.
Claire McGee rounds out this shooting end, having been elevated from a 2025 training partner. She won the Bendigo Football Netball League Rising Star award and made her A-grade debut in 2025 as a 17-year-old.
Coaches
Former Melbourne Kestrels player and longtime State Team coach Tracey Brereton continues to lead Bendigo Strikers as their head and Championship coach – a position she combines with Melbourne Mavericks Reserves coaching duties.
She will again be supported in Championship by assistant and mentor coach Carol Cathcart, who is also the club’s coaching director, and Netball Victoria's president.
The 23&Under team has welcomed a new head coach in Fiona Boyer, who has coached A Grade in Albury, North East Talent Academy, and in the State Team program for many years
Rose Gallagher is the new 23&Under assistant coach and a legend of Bendigo netball. “Rose has just been inducted to Bendigo’s league Hall of Fame as a player, so her experience as a player speaks for itself. Not only will she bring her playing experience to the table, but she has done many roles at club level and State Titles,” said Brereton.
