AFL Draft: Bendigo Pioneers’ 2024 season rated
After Harley Reid in 2023, the Bendigo Pioneers have another crop of talented youngsters available to AFL clubs at this year’s draft. We analyse every player’s season.
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The Bendigo Pioneers season have uncovered more AFL Draft gems and future stars of country footy this season.
Their season came to an end at the hands of Dandenong Stingrays in the wildcard round.
Now we’ve broken down how every player fared this season.
James Barrat, Leitchville-Gunbower
Stats: 13 games, 114 ranking points, 16.5 disposals
Identified as one of the club’s top prospects at the start of the season and was brilliant throughout. He’s done his chances of playing AFL footy no harm.
Mitchell Bell, Moama
Stats: Seven games, 11.4 disposals, 6.7 contested possessions
A midfielder who thrived on the inside in the contest.
Wil Bennett, Swan Hill
Stats: Seven games, 10.9 disposals, 64 ranking points
Missed large portions of the year but was consistent when available.
Patrick Blake, Tyntynder
Stats: Seven games, 10.9 disposals, 4.4 contested possessions
Missed the early stages of the season but was strong once he got his opportunity.
Taj Bond, Maryborough
Stats: 12 games, 55 ranking points, 3.5 score involvements
The big man has shown promising signs throughout the season and will aim to continue building.
Jye Chambers, Kyneton
Stats: Five games, 7.2 disposals
Played the first two games of the year with the Pioneers before missing time with injury.
Kaian Constable, Maryborough
Stats: 10 games, 67 ranking points, 5.8 contested possessions
The midfielder showed a love for the inside contest throughout his opportunities at Coates league level.
Charlie Cook, South Mildura
Stats: 10 games, four goals
Played mainly as a general forward throughout the season and offered different facets of the game.
James Coulson, Tongala
Stats: Four games, 7.5 disposals
All four of his games came in the middle of the year after having impressed for his club side.
Ethan Curran, Nyah Nyah West
Stats: Nine games, 7.7 disposals
Played a couple of games early for the Pioneers and eventually returned later in the year after strong form at local level.
Jed Daniels, Strathfieldsaye
Stats: Seven games, 8.9 disposals
Missed the early part of the season at local and Coates League level before eventually returning to the Pioneers fold in round 11.
Jonty Davis, Marong
Stats: 13 games, 10.6 disposals, 1.3 clearances
Showed his ball winning ability throughout the season in the middle of the ground and ranked elite for clearances.
Archer Day-Wicks, Sandhurst
Stats: 14 games, 100 ranking points, 17.2 disposals
Played a bit of midfield but primarily up forward to emerge as one of the club’s best draft hopes.
Connor Evans, Kangaroo Flat
Stats: 13 games, 70 ranking points, 12.9 disposals, 2.2 intercept marks
Has won plaudits for his intercept ability throughout the season. Has really grown as a player.
Tom Evans, Echuca
Stats: Nine games, 104 ranking points, 20.6 disposals
After battling injury issues last season, Evans found more consistency in his body and transformed into a real ball winner in the middle of the ground.
Dusty Geister, Irymple
Stats: Five games, 6.4 disposals
Just five games for the Pioneers but has been dominant at local level in the seniors and under-18s. An emerging star of the Sunraysia.
Glen Gillbee, Balranald
Stats: Eight games, 8.3 disposals
Won his fair share of intercepts as a general forward throughout the season.
Lachlan Hogan, Moama
Stats: 14 games, 107 ranking points, 23.4 disposals
Given his connection to NSW, he represented the Allies at the national carnival. Has been a strong ball winner for the Pioneers.
Nicholas Jephson, Kyabram
Stats: Five games, 83 ranking points, 15.8 disposals, 6.4 contested possessions
Came into the Pioneers team late in the season after strong form in the Goulburn Valley League and slotted in seamlessly.
Darby Jones, Echuca
Stats: Five games, 74 ranking points, 9.8 disposals
A young tall to watch heading into the 2025 season. Jones broke into the team late in the season and proved his valuable as a big man who could go forward and kick goals.
Zaydyn Lockwood, South Bendigo
Stats: 14 games, 9.8 disposals
The developing tall had impressive moments throughout the season. Can read the ball well.
Ollie Morris, Sandhurst
Stats: 11 games played, 86 ranking points, 15 disposals
Found the footy consistently throughout the season and was capable of going forward to kick a goal.
Oliver Poole, Echuca United
Stats: Nine games, 83 ranking points, 4.6 tackles
One of the over-age prospects this season. Poole was among the better tacklers in the Coates league.
Nash Ramage, Echuca United
Stats: Five games, 1.6 marks
While he got his opportunity with the Pioneers, Ramage really developed his game with his home club.
Thomas Rutledge, Macedon
Stats: Four games, seven disposals
Played his four games at the start and back end of the year. He eventually established himself in a Macedon side which reached the preliminary final in the Riddell District league.
Jude Ryan, Colbinabbin
Stats: Three games, 53 ranking points
Strong form, 11 mentions in the best in 15 games, for his local club saw Ryan break into the side late in the year.
Angus Scoble, Tongala/Kyabram
Stats: 11 games, 66 ranking points, 14 disposals
A strong start to the year at local level with Tongala’s senior side saw Scoble rewarded and he showed nice traits as a versatile player.
Jobe Shanahan, Moama
Stats: 11 games, 103 ranking points
Broke into Essendon’s VFL team late in the season. Has emerged as one of the club’s best draft hopes with some experts predicting a top-20 draft selection.
Nick Thompson, Charlton
Stats: Nine games, 55 ranking points
The key defender missed some footy during the middle part of the year but was impressive whenever he did take to the field.
Gus Toll, Moama
Stats: 11 games played, 67 ranking points
After changing clubs in the off-season, Toll emerged as a positive for the Pioneers in his over-age season.
Tobie Travaglia, Sandhurst
Stats: 12 games played, 143 ranking points
Doesn’t turn 18 until October but looms as a serious draft chance. Found plenty of the footy all year and was elite in several categories.
Dayten Uerata, Sandhurst
Stats: 13 games, 88 ranking points, 17.6 disposals
A versatile player who does a job whenever asked. He broke through for a VFL chance with Essendon earlier in the season.
Hunter Wright, Golden Square
Stats: 14 games played, 13.1 disposals
One of the younger members of the team who got consistent opportunities throughout the year.
Archie Watt, Kyabram
Stats: Nine games, 73 ranking points, 16 disposals
Missed time at the start of the season and played some of his best footy in the back half.
Shaun Watson, Mildura
Stats: 14 games, 62 ranking points
A young player who took nice steps in his development throughout the season.
Editor’s note: Anyone who played less than three games was not included.
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