Pioneers announce more than 100 players to try out for squad selection

The Pioneers have announced their extended under-18 squad for 2024 with more than 100 players selected to train to try and make the final team.

Most clubs in the Bendigo Pioneers catchment area have at least one player selected with Bendigo league club Sandhurst the most represented with 11 picked.

Pioneers under-18 coach Danny O’Bree said the commitment from the players had been impressive after their season ended less than a month ago.

“We went for a kick on the weekend,” he said.

“Just an optional one, I put the message out to the boys and a few turned up and turned up in really good order.

“A few have really started to get into their gym programs and running again, which is really exciting to see.

“The Harley Reid factor has spurred them on and motivated them, which is great.

“There’s some exciting talent there that can make some inroads next year.”

O’Bree said there was no expectations on this year’s talent to replicate what Harley Reid will likely do and be picked at number one in the AFL draft, instead he wants the nextr group to just take the Pioneer experience head on and give it your all.

“There’s not too many times that someone like Harley Reid comes into the program or any system,” he said.

“They are talking about him being a generational talent.

“The key message from us is don’t be someone else.

“Be yourself, play to your strengths and fix a few of your improvement areas.”

O’Bree lists his players to look out for in the Pioneers squad.

Archie Day Wicks, Sandhurst

Already playing at a higher level, as demonstrated late this year when playing for Team Naitanui against Team Selwood in the precursor to the AFL Grand Final. He also made his debut for Victoria Country in the under-18 championships and played for Sandhurst in the Bendigo league grand final. A talented forward and midfielder who is expected to lift another level next year.

Jobe Shanahan, Moama

Shanahan also played for Team Naitanui on AFL Grand Final day. A utility who is capable of playing anywhere, Shanahan won the Murray league rising star award for his performances for Moama in seniors last season. Is likely to play for the Allies next year.

Tobie Travaglia, Sandhurst

The reigning Bendigo Pioneers best and fairest returns after playing for Team Selwood on AFL grand final day. The midfielder, from Sandhurst’s junior production line, is an elite runner who will only rise with more experience under his belt next year.

Tom Evans, Echuca

O’Bree felt he was unlucky to miss out on representative honours last season and has the capability to do it next year. A classy on-baller who comes from Echuca Football Netball Club.

James Barrat, Leitchville Gunblower

Had a troubled season with injury but showed glimpses of his skill with matches for Victoria Country in under-16. Capable of playing either in the forward line or in the backline on opposition giants. O’Bree can’t wait to have him fully fit for next year.

Archie Watt, Kyabram

Comes back to the Pioneers after playing for the Oakleigh Chargers last season. He also represented Xavier College in the APS. A really good midfield talent who played for Kyabram in seniors and played in their grand final loss in the Goulburn Valley league.

Taj Bond, Maryborough

One to look out for in next year’s AFL draft. A 205cm forward who is starting to build a body which could prove to be a nightmare for the opposition next season. He kicked 40 goals for Maryborough’s under-18 team last season.

Dayten Uerata, Sandhurst

More Coverage

‘Deeply saddened’: Dumped premiership coach rocked by ousting

David Johnston

How Hartley is planning to rebuild Bendigo battlers

Shane Jones

Capable of taking the next step to be a leading player for the Pioneers according to his coach. A forward who can take a mark and find an avenue to goal.

Full squad is below:

Glen Gillbee (Balranald), Sebastion Papa (Balranald), Alton Bracken (Castlemaine), Curtis McLennan (Castlemaine), Archie Rixon (Castlemaine), Chaz Holman (Castlemaine), Mitchell McKnight (Castlemaine), Nick Thompson (Charlton), Angus Donat (Cohuna), Jasper McArdle (Colbinabbin), Jude Ryan (Colbinabbin), Marcus Moorse (Deniliquin), Harry Way (Deniliquin), Cam Wills (Deniliquin), Logan Geddes (Donald), Jack O’Shannessy (Eaglehawk), Tom Conlan (East Point), Tom Evans (Echuca), James Head (Echuca), Isaac Watson (Echuca), Liam Gronow (Echuca), Luke Oellermann (Echuca), Hunter Beveridge (Echuca United), Jackson Lewis (Echuca United), Jack McMahon (Golden Square), Riley Dillon (Golden Square), Bailey Warfe (Golden Square), Hunter Wright (Golden Square), Thomas Johnson (Heathcote), Sosaia Christian-Ale (Irymple), Dusty Geister (Irymple), Alex Hollingworth (Irymple), Ned Bottams (Irymple), Connor Evans (Kangaroo Flat), Jay Newman (Kangaroo Flat), Ray McNamara (Kangaroo Flat), Harry Bremner (Kerang), Ryan Bassett (Koondrook Barham), Nicholas Jephson (Kyabram), Angus Scoble (Kyabram), Archie Watt (Kyabram), Max Carroll (Kyabram), Lachlan Carver (Kyabram), Tyler Norman (Kyabram), Jye Chambers (Kyneton), Angus Mills (Kyneton), Hunter Murray (Kyneton), Bailey Ryan (Kyneton), Kai Everett (Lake Boga), James Barrat (Leitchville Gunblower), Noah Hore (Leitchville Gunblower), Darby Jones (Leitchville Gunblower), Jai Milligan (Lockington Bamawm), Taj Bond (Maryborough), Kaian Constable (Maryborough), Thomas Rutledge (Macedon), Sam Whinfield (Macorna), Liam Edge (Moama/Cohuna), Jonty Davis (Marong), Angus Smith (Merbein), Will Hemming (Merbein), Aiden Avery (Mildura), Sam Gosman (Mildura), Zac De Rosa (Mildura), Beau Kiel (Mildura), Spenser Seward (Mildura), Shaun Watson (Mildura), Mitch Bell (Moama), Lachlan Hogan (Moama), Jobe Shanahan (Moama), Trent Gray (Moama), Zade Maschewski (Moama), Jett Gundry (North Bendigo), Sol Kelly (Nullawil), Darcy Butler (Nyah Nyah West), Ethan Curran (Nyah Nyah West), Zak O’Shannassy (Nyah Nyah West), Bryce Manzie (Red Cliffs), Tyler Bounias (Red Cliffs), Cooper Germane (Red Cliffs), Jagar Guthrie (Red Cliffs), Giulian Iudica (R0binvale Euston), Jordy Rasmussen (Rochester), Nate Rasmussen (Rochester), Archer Day-Wicks (Sandhurst), Oliver Morris (Sandhurst), Dayten Uerata (Sandhurst), Declan Stevenson (Sandhurst), Tobie Travaglia (Sandhurst), Lachy Borchard (Sandhurst), Oscar Cail (Sandhurst), Zane Connick (Sandhurst), Charles Duke (Sandhurst), Gus Hay (Sandhurst), Jaxon Howard (Sandhurst), Finlay Lockhart (Sandhurst), Felix Warne (Sea Lake Nandaly), Durie Isaac (Sea Lake Nandaly), Zaydyn Lockwood (South Bendigo), Oliver Turnbull (South Bendigo), Charlie Cook (South Mildura), Jarvas Munn (South Bendigo), Jackson Needs (St Arnaud), Jed Daniels (Strathfieldsaye), Hugh Behrens (Strathfieldsaye), Jaidi Jackson-Leahy (Strathfieldsaye), Alex Wingrave (Strathfieldsaye), Wilhem Bennett (Swan Hill), Koby McMillan (Swan Hill), Lachlan Vrolijks (Swan Hill), James Coulson (Tongala), Jessie Johnstone (Tongala), Archie Littore (Wentworth), Patrick Conlan (White Hills), Charlie King (Woorinen), Hugh Thompson (Woorinen)

Originally published as Pioneers announce more than 100 players to try out for squad selection