We reveal the top Bendigo young guns for this season

The Bendigo league is full of young talent who put on a show in 2024. We list the best young guns this season.

When it comes to footballing talent, Bendigo continues to thrive with plenty of young guns on show.
From those who helped teams to premiership glory or those forced to step up to help other teams out, lots of players impressed.

We list the best young guns in the Bendigo league below.

Note: Those who have played more Coates Talent League games this season than Bendigo league seniors were not included and players needed to play a certain amount of games to make the list.

Joshua Britten has signed for Talbot next year after a strong season for Maryborough. Picture: Talbot Football Netball Club.

Joshua Britten, Maryborough

The midfielder was one of the leading players for the Magpies in a tough season for the club. Britten played 16 games and was among the best in seven of them.

Kyen Burrill-Grinton, Eaglehawk

A forward who impressed after making his debut in seniors for the club. He kicked five goals in nine games.

Brodie Byrne, Castlemaine

The midfielder was the fourth best Magpies player in the Michelsen Medal. Byrne played 15 games and was among the best in four of them.

Xavier Carter, Golden Square

The defender held his own against some of the best forwards in the competition. Carter played 14 games for the season and also played one game for the Bendigo Pioneers.

Seb Collins, Maryborough

A new recruit for the Pies this season. Collins impressed in a tough year for the club being in the best in six of 12 games.

Luke Ellings, Kangaroo Flat

The midfielder was one of the best players for the Kangaroos this season in his first year at the club. He kicked 14 goals in 16 games and was among the best players in 14 matches.

Caleb Ernst (right) plays for Bendigo earlier this season. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Caleb Ernst, Strathfieldsaye

Played enough games to qualify for the list. A key forward who has also played for Coburg this season and attracted interest from AFL clubs. In 11 games in the Bendigo league, he has been in the best in four of them.

Ethan Featherby, Strathfieldsaye

The key defender was strong in his first full senior season at the Storm. He ended up playing 15 games, including a final, and was among the best in five games.

Dylan Hird, Golden Square

The midfielder returned back to his junior club this year and was among the best. He played 15 games and was among the best in five of them.

Zavier Holmes, South Bendigo

A former under-18 best and fairest at the club, Holmes played a full season this year, kicking two goals and being in the best in two games. Capable of playing in multiple positions around the ground.

Malik Gordon, Strathfieldsaye

A key forward on the rise in the competition. Gordon averaged almost two goals a game this season, kicking 29 goals in 15 matches.

James Gray, – Gisborne

Played for two clubs this season after making a one-off appearance for Maryborough. The midfielder played 11 games for the Bulldogs this season and was part of the teams reserves grand final squad.

Zachary Greeves, Castlemaine

The former Eastern Ranges junior has had a great first season for the Magpies this year. He’s kicked 16 goals in 16 games to help Castlemaine rise up the ladder.

Jaidi Jackson-Leahy, Strathfieldsaye

The Bendigo Pioneer played 11 games for the Storm, including the preliminary final in the Bendigo league. Jackson-Leahy is a smart footballer with a precise kick.

Dylan Johnstone, Gisborne

The winger has impressed this season and also found an avenue to goal. Johnstone has kicked 29 goals in 19 games.

Macklan Lord, Gisborne 

Just qualifies for the list as a young gun. The forward played 18 games this season and was among the best in seven of them, kicking six goals. He also was one of the leading assist players in the competition.

Harry Luxmoore, Gisborne

A rising young forward in the competition, who had an excellent year. Luxmoore finished third in the goalkickers list for the season, kicking 59 goals in 19 games.

Wilhem Mackay, Gisborne

Played his first senior football in the Bendigo league this season. In under-18, he played 20 games, and kicked 16 goals as the forward helped the Bulldogs to the grand final.

Deac0n Marsh, Eaglehawk

Finished in the top-three in the clubs under-18 best and fairest and also played seven senior games. A player for the future at the Hawks.

Cobi Maxted, – Sandhurst

A young forward on the rise after suffering bad injuries last year. Maxted kicked 33 goals in 19 games for the premiers and also represented Bendigo against the VAFA in interleague.

Aidan Medlyn, Maryborough

One of only three Magpies players to make the original interleague squad for Bendigo this year. Medlyn played 16 games and was among the best in six of them.

Matthew Merrett, Gisborne

The forward averaged two goals a game in the finals and was one of the leading goalkickers in the competition. Merrett kicked 31 goals in 17 games.

Golden Square's Ricky Monti hunts down the ball. Picture: SAA Imaging.

Ricky Monti, Golden Square

A premiership player at the Bulldogs who also played VFL for Essendon this year. One of the premier midfielders in the competition. He was in the best players in seven out of 13 games and kicked 14 goals.

Tom Myers, Maryborough

One of the best emerging young ruckman in the competition. In 12 games he was among the best in seven of them. In round seven of this year’s competition he was the best player of the round.

Jack O’Shannessy, Eaglehawk

Still capable of playing under-18s but played 10 games in seniors for Eaglehawk, kicking 24 goals. A key forward of the future.

Tait Poyser, South Bendigo

The half back was one of the standouts for the Bloods this season. The young gun played 13 games and was among the best in 10 of them. He also played major roles for the club during the season.

Toby Roberts, Kangaroo Flat

One of the best players for the Flat this season. The midfielder played all 16 games for the Kangaroos and was among the best in five of them.

Harrison Sheahan, Castlemaine

Made the move to the Magpies from Kyneton and played all but two games this season. He was in the best players in four games.

Campbell Smith, Kangaroo Flat

Another young gun excelling at the Flat. Smith, who can play in the midfield or in defence, played 16 games this season and was among the best in five games.

Cooper Smith, Sandhurst

The wingman helped Sandhurst to win the premiership this year. Smith also played in interleague for Bendigo. The Dragons player played in 16 games and was among the best in six of them.

Bode Stevens, Strathfieldsaye

The midfielder has spent his season between the Storm and the North Melbourne VFL side. For the Storm he played a major part of their finals campaign. He played 11 games and was among the best in six of them.

Jack Stewart, Golden Square

The small forward had his best season in the competition and was the leading goalkicker for the Bulldogs. He kicked 51 goals in 18 games.

Zac Wescott, Golden Square

Finished second in last year’s under-18 Bendigo league best and fairest and played well for Golden Square in his first full season of seniors

Matthew Wilkinson, Sandhurst

The 21-year-old had an incredible season, winning both a Bendigo football and cricket premiership. For Sandhurst, the forward kicked 16 goals in 19 games and was among the best in three of them.

Lachlan Wright tries to fight a tackle from Gisborne earlier this year. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Lachlan Wright, Sandhurst

Capable of playing both in the forward line and defence, but played the majority of the season down back. Wright still kicked 26 goals in 19 games but won the AFL Victoria best on ground medal in the grand final win with his performance in defence. His intercept marking and spoils helped Sandhurst win the game.

Darcy Young, Gisborne

Played 11 games for the Bulldogs this season in his first full season of seniors. Young ended the season in reserves, playing in the grand final.