GRP2 - VIC Preview - Nationals 2026 Podcast
The GRP2 podcast is back for the 2026 Nationals!
WBIP founder Amy McCann is teaming up with fellow Emeralds alumni Amy Cannington to bring you all the nationals news via our "Girls Are Players Too" podcast series.
The series will count down to the 2026 Australian Women’s and Australian Youth Women’s Championships which will take over Melbourne Ballpark from April 12-18.
VICTORIA PREVIEW
Victoria’s record speaks for itself. Since the National Championships began in 1999, they have never missed the podium.
Silver in 2025. Gold in 2024. Silver in 2023. Silver in 2022.
That standard rolls into 2026 with a squad that blends experience, youth and a serious injection of high-level talent.
In 2025, Victoria rolled out five rookies, eight players in just their second or third Nationals, and six teenagers, and still went toe-to-toe with the power of New South Wales.
This year, they bring back a group that now includes World Cup experience, Nationals MVPs, Emeralds representatives and WPBL signings.
The return of 2024 Nationals MVP Lili Cavanagh headlines the group, while Abbey Kelly enters her 12th Nationals as the team’s most capped player, bringing with her an MVP, Golden Glove and Golden Arm across her career.
One of the most feared bats in the Australian game, Abbey McLellan is back. Dual Nationals Golden Arm winner Allie Bebbere returns, as does 2024 unsung hero Jess Johnson, whose impact across that title run showed just how important role players are in this side.
Recent WPBL signing Emi Saiki and Kira Kuwamoto lead a quartet of Japanese players, giving Victoria multiple options at every position and for every situation.
“This team is absolutely stacked. We’ve got so much versatility, so much depth, and so much strength and experience. It’s been really special to be part of it so far.”
— Lili Cavanagh
Those different journeys now come together in a Victorian program built on strong culture, connection and a history of performing when it matters most.
The challenge this year is clear. But if history tells us anything, it’s that Victoria knows how to show up in these moments.
On the Victorian episode of the podcast, 2023 Emeralds duo Ashley Patton and Lili Kavanagh join the show.
Canberra-native Ashley Patton is revelling in her debut year in the dark blue of Victoria:
“Going into this super competitive environment, everyone’s just chill… training’s always super fun. I’m loving it. It’s just so professional and people are getting there early just to work before training. That’s just normal.”
Cavanagh returns to the side after undergoing a knee reconstruction just weeks after her 2024 National Championship MVP season.
“I’m just so excited to play with this team. It’s really, really fun.”
FULL TEAM
Players
Abbey Kelly
Abbey McLellan
Allie Bebbere
Ashley Patton
Brittney Cedelland
Emi Saiki
Jamie Bastian
Jasmine Bentley
Jess Johnson
Kira Kuwamoto
Lili Cavanagh
Lilly Simpson
Miku Saita
Narumi Kametani
Paula Doherty
Ruby Dale
Coaches
Samantha Hamilton
Jarryd Rogers
Stephen Black
GIRLS ARE PLAYERS TOO RANGE
The podcast series shares its name with the special “Girls Are Players Too” WBIP fundraising initiative, which aims to raise money for the 2025 Championships campaign.
The shirts are available in all state team colours, with $5 from each shirt and $10 from each hoodie sale going directly to the state teams.
Where you get your podcasts
Tune in via https://womensbaseballinsidepitch.podbean.com/ or Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more!
