Shepparton basketball fans were treated to a clinical performance by a WNBA-player boasting Bendigo Spirit side on Friday night as the club geared up for its WNBL campaign with a pre-season test.
The Spirit faced fellow WNBL team Southside Melbourne Flyers at Shepparton Sports Stadium, with Australian stars Jade Melbourne and Isobel Borlase featuring in Bendigo yellow.
It was a comprehensive demolition job employed by the Spirit, with the supreme talent in its squad too much for the Flyers to handle on the night.
The Flyers were combatted at either end of the floor, defensively bested by the Spirit while also conceding plenty of buckets on the opposing end of the hardwood.
Ultimately, the Spirit prevailed 88-51 at the final buzzer, with Bendigo set to dribble into WNBL season 2026-27 with the momentum of a fast break.
News photographer Rechelle Zammit sat courtside at the WNBL pre-season blockbuster to capture all the crossovers, dimes, and buckets.
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Image 1 of 9
Bendigo Spirit’s Casey Samuels dashes down the hardwood.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Image 2 of 9
Bendigo Spirit’s Jade Melbourne shoots from the charity stripe.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Bendigo Spirit’s Kelly Wilson guards Southside Melbourne Flyers’ Haylee Andrews.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Southside Melbourne Flyers’ Nela Fakalata makes an inbound over Bendigo Spirit’s Kelly Wilson.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Southside Melbourne Flyers’ Izzy Wightman corners Bendigo Spirit’s Casey Samuels.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Bendigo Spirit’s Kelsey Rees hustles back to defend the paint.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Bendigo Spirit’s Jade Melbourne enters triple threat against Southside Melbourne Flyers’ Izzy Wightman.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Bendigo Spirit’s Abigail Wehrung takes point guard duties.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Bendigo Spirit’s Casey Samuels approaches the Flyers’ defence.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit