CALDER Cannons enter the Talent League Girls season looking to build on last year’s three wins, having brought on plenty of promising young prospects who will be top and bottom-agers in 2026. While development is always the key, the Cannons have been able to fast-track some of those players with key roles last season for them to adapt early this year.

LAST SEASON

Played: 14
Wins: 3
Losses: 11

Calder struggled to notch up wins on the board, but it was large in part for the fact they lost their two National Academy members for large portions of the season, with Jade McLay practically the entire year and Chloe Baker-West also missing for parts. That gave eventual third draftee Shauna McElligott a chance to shine, while also promoting bottom-agers to set them up for this year.

FIXTURE

Round 2: vs. Sandringham Dragons | April 11 @ RSEA Park
Round 4: vs. Bendigo Pioneers | April 26 @ Highgate Recreation Reserve
Round 5: vs. Western Jets | May 2 @ DSV Stadium
Round 6: vs. Geelong Falcons | May 9 @ McCartney Oval
Round 7: vs. Northern Territory | May 21 @ Highgate Recreation Reserve
Round 9: vs. Bendigo Pioneers | May 30 @ Queen Elizabeth Oval
Round 11: vs. Northern Knights | June 13 @ Preston City Oval
Round 13: vs. Sandringham Dragons | June 28 @ Highgate Recreation Reserve
Round 16: vs. Murray Bushrangers | July 18 @ Highgate Recreation Reserve
Round 17: vs. Tasmania Devils | July 26 @ TBA
Round 18: vs. Eastern Ranges | August 1 @ Highgate Recreation Reserve
Round 19: vs. Oakleigh Chargers | August 8 @ Warrawee Park
Round 20: vs. GWV Rebels | August 15 @ Highgate Recreation Reserve
Round 21: vs. Murray Bushrangers | August 23 @ Wangaratta Showgrounds

Calder takes on Sandringham Dragons, Bendigo Pioneers and Murray Bushrangers twice during the course of the season, with six games at Highgate Recreation Reserve, and only three outside the metropolitan region. Realistically the Cannons could notch up their win tally from last season – or more – over their first five matches which would be exciting.

TOP-AGE PLAYERS TO WATCH

In contrast to last season, the Cannons have a more balanced list rather than one or two standouts, which should hold the metropolitan side in good stead. Defender Chloe Capeci and midfielder Felicity Mahoney are Calder’s two Vic Metro hub representatives, with the latter tied to all three of Collingwood, Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs under the father-daughter rule (Josh).

Charli Calleia played an important role last season with 11 games across the defence and looks likely to be a key cog there again. She can also roll into the midfield if required. The powerful Chloe Bullen will join her in the back half with her penetrating kick, Up the other end, she might only be small, but Lily Frangoulis has some serious X-factor and goal sense.

The massive watch from a potential preseason draft perspective and at the end of the year as an over-age prospect is Cassidy McArthur who has moved to Victoria off a premiership with North Shore Bombers in the AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division competition and being a member of the Sydney Swans Academy. Former Cannons representative Amy Cullen returns after spending time focusing on her basketball and has some eye-catching athetic traits.

FUTURE NAMES TO REMEMBER

Calder’s bottom-age crop is where the magic all begins for setting up the Cannons for the future. Having gained the tenacious Renee Ford from the Gold Coast Suns Academy, they also have a stack of talls and smalls that catch the eye. Elebertina Schuliga is one of the fastest players in the league and catches plenty of eyes with her explosive speed down the ground.

Holly Clough will develop into a strong marking key position forward, while also in the front half, Kate Apps is more than capable of winning the ball in a number of ways and working up the ground. Coco Balmain showed fantastic signs as a strong defender, while Tessa Berryman running in transition is yet another Cannon who can provide the club with plenty of highlights.

SUMMARY

Calder Cannons have plenty of depth at their disposal, and while 2026 looks likely to be an even crop of potential draft prospects, 2027 will yield even more players who could make the jump. A lot are still raw and developing, but the excitement and X-factor are there, as shown by their impressive preseason match win over Northern Knights.