Selectors have so far named a nine-player squad, with one more player to be confirmed, to be coached by joint Sandhurst coach Tamara Gilchrist.

The squad contains six of the same players from Bendigo's team, which trounced Ballarat in their inter-league clash in May.

Returning are Golden Square defender Allira Holmes and goal shooter Gabe Richards, Sandhurst midcourter Brooke Bolton, sisters Abbey and Ashley Ryan, from Eaglehawk, and versatile Kangaroo Flat premiership player Milly Wicks.

Coming in to the squad are 2016 Kangaroo Flat premiership stars Ruby Barkmeyer and Chelsea Sartori, and South Bendigo defender Monica Wellington.

Three players - young goal shooter Barkmeyer, Bolton and Richards - remain from the Bendigo team, which finished second at last year's Association Championships.

Coached on that occasion by Carol Cathcart and current Eaglehawk coach Mali Roberts, Bendigo was beaten in a nail-biting final by Geelong.

It was the second straight year Geelong had ended Bendigo's championships campaign following an epic semi-final clash in 2015.

Gilchrist's BFNL squad could not have been more impressive in downing Ballarat by 22 goals in their inter-league battle at the QEO, with Dragons centre Brooke Bolton adjudged best-on-court.

Bendigo has a proud record of advancing to the semi-finals at the championships and again has a squad capable of higher honours.

Meanwhile, Bendigo's 17-and-under team will also shoot for glory at the State Hockey and Netball Centre.

Unlike their senior counterparts, the BFNL's rising stars had to qualify for the championships, finishing top two at the northern regional qualifiers in Echuca late last month.

A swift and skilled Bendigo, coached by Golden Square 17-and-under coach Melinda Keighran, lost a high-calibre final 13-14.

The 17-and-under team will play six games on Sunday, starting with Hampden Football Netball League.

Minor round games will follow against Albury, Banyule and Districts, Gippsland and Yarra Ariels.

Five clubs are represented in the 12-player squad, to be captained by Gisborne's reigning 17-and-under league best and fairest Melinda Luke, with Sandhurst's Sophie Shoebridge as vice-captain.

Included in the squad are her Bulldogs' teammates Tyla Evans and Holly Doricic, Golden Square's Millie Fogarty and Macy Brown, Maryborough's Keely Hare, Sandhurst's Ruby Turner and Rebecca Eade, Kangaroo Flat's Bree Hieden and Georgia Lowther, and Strathfieldsaye's Paige Ryan.

Assistant coaches for the weekend are Jayden Cowling (senior) and Nina Cass and Bec Mullen (17-and-under).