January 30, 2026

Round 16 DrinkWise Game Preview

Abby Crozier

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Geelong Venom v Bendigo Spirit

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WHEN: Friday 30 January, 2026
TIME: 5.30pm AEST
WHERE: Geelong Arena, Geelong
WATCH: 9NOW, ESPN on Disney+, ESPN2

 

Bendigo Spirit will make their way south this Friday as they prepare to take on the Geelong Venom in Geelong to open the penultimate round of the WNBL26 regular season.

After a triumphant Round 15 saw the Spirit flawlessly achieve three wins from as many matches, the group are stronger than ever, with the anticipation of finals fever bringing a fresh face of grit and determination.

It was a week to remember for Izzy Borlase - after notching a career-best 42-points against the South Melbourne Flyers on Wednesday, she went on to tally a total of 98 points for Round 15 after the subsequent two fixtures against Canberra, and finished with the week with selection into the 12-player Opals team heading to a FIBA World Cup Qualifying tournament in Türkiye in March.

The one blemish for the Spirit in Round 15 was the season-ending injury to Micah Simpson, who ruptured her ACL in the Friday fixture against Canberra in Bendigo. In a stunning turn of events, Simpson will be replaced by 42-year-old veteran, Kelly Wilson, for the Spirit's final three games of the regular season, starting with tonight's game in Geelong.

The Spirit will no doubt bring an upbeat energy to the Geelong Arena when they take on the Venom this evening, a team who are yet to claim a victory over Bendigo this season.

Despite this, the Venom fell to Adelaide Lightning in Round 15 by only seven points, with Mackenzie Holmes (23 points, 9 rebounds) and Jaz Shelley (21 points, 5 rebounds) holding the Venom in the contest and giving them a fighting chance.

Bendigo, now with a healthy winning streak under their belts, will bring their all to the court as they fight to remain in a top 2 position on the ladder as they move closer to finals.

A gutsy performance from Spirit co-captain Kelsey Griffin (20 points, 14 rebounds) and Borlase (23 points, 6 rebounds) against the Caps on the road last Sunday, will put the Spirit in excellent shape to take on the Venom tonight.