sport

Bendigo Teams Chase Derby Glory in Netball and Football Round 12

Pre-season showcase at Red Energy Arena and senior football ladder shape local team outlooks.

By Bendigo Sport Desk · Published 19 July 2026

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Bendigo Bank Spirit enters the WNBL20 campaign with the equal worst record from last season at five wins and 16 losses, but holds the league's best defense after allowing just 68 points per game.

Netball Pre-Season at Red Energy Arena

The Melbourne Vixens will host the Melbourne Mavericks in a standalone Suncorp Super Netball pre-season derby at Red Energy Arena as part of the 2026 Bound 4 Bendigo showcase. The Bendigo Strikers will play an intra-club Victorian Netball League curtain-raiser at the same venue to strengthen community-to-elite pathway connections ahead of the main match.

Football Ladder Positions

In the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior football competition, Gisborne leads the ladder at 201 percent, followed by Sandhurst and Strathfieldsaye. Round 12 will feature a clash between third-ranked Strathfieldsaye and first-ranked Gisborne.

Team Outlook

The Bendigo Spirit roster will feature one of the league's most youthful line-ups in WNBL20 because of absent imports. This defensive strength positions the side as a legitimate playoff threat heading into the new season. The upcoming netball events at Red Energy Arena provide an early platform for local pathways, while the FNL ladder sets the stage for Round 12 action between the top sides.

These fixtures offer Bendigo teams opportunities to build form and connections in the coming weeks.

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