Bendigo Pioneers 2023 Coates Talent League Boys list breakdown
The Bendigo Pioneers continue to pump out AFL talent and this year looks no different. Here’s what you need to know about every player in the 2023 CTL Boys squad.
NAB League
Don't miss out on the headlines from NAB League. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Raw but limitless, this Bendigo Pioneers list has endless potential.
Here is a player-by-player breakdown of the finalised Pioneers 2023 Boys squad.
Xavier Austin (Sandhurst)
A small pocket rocket who has a very strong leg. Has improved his endurance this pre-season, running a 6min40sec 2km time trial just last week.
Charlie Barnett (Kyabram)
A 19-year-old returning after a decent year. Recruiters just needed a larger sample size of Barnett, who is now listed at North Melbourne VFL.
James Barrat (Leitchville Gunbower)
Really promising kid who has had an exceptional pre-season. Lacks a bit of size for a tall, but makes up for it in his mobility. A natural forward with a fluent kick.
Mitch Bell (Moama)
A classy mover that has serious tricks when it comes to winning the footy. He is raw, but has strong AFL attributes.
Elijah Brown (Mildura)
A creative small-forward that has plenty to show if given the opportunity this season.
Will Burke (Donald)
Returns as a 19-year-old having improved his running capability. His kicking is his strength, remaining one of the better users at the Pioneers.
Hugh Byrne (Echuca)
A typical country centre half-forward. Is effortless with the way he runs and jumps at the footy and kicks truly when given the chance.
Bailey Cain (Golden Square)
Starts at half-back but is tracked everywhere. A hard-running mover that fits the perfect mold of the modern defender.
Xavier Carter (Golden Square)
There’s an endless ceiling of what he can achieve. A supreme athlete that is still growing, will turn some heads this year.
Thomas Cox (Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers)
A hard-working forward who oozes class. Kicked a bag on debut as a 15-year-old.
Jed Daniels (Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers)
Cousin of GWS forward Brent, Jed shares similar weapons. A speedy forward that will take a bit of time, but will learn a lot from his bottom-age year.
Archer Day-Wicks (Sandhurst)
One of the Pioneers’ finest bottom-agers. He kicked three on debut in 2022 against Tasmania, proving he can match it with anyone.
Jed Denahy (Castlemaine)
While cousins with Richmond superstar Dustin Martin, Denahy is built as a completely different player. Stands at almost 200cm and has an exceptional vertical leap. A really big watch for Bendigo this season.
Mitch Dodos (Kyabram)
A backable pick for the mid-season draft, Dodos is a super athletic and a beautiful kick of the footy who can play at both ends of the ground. Few read the ball better.
Tom Evans (Echuca)
Hasn’t played a lot of footy through injury but is a really classy on-baller. Reminds many at the Bendigo of former Pioneer Jye Caldwell.
Logan Geddes (Donald)
The perfect prototype for a running defender at the top level but is still mastering the craft.
Dusty Geister (Irymple)
Raw but exciting. A genuine forward that gets around the ground very well.
Glen Gilbee (Balranald)
A genuine clone of brother Jason, who went to GWS in the 2022 draft. Elite foot skills and endurance. Will makes as many waves with his quirks if he reaches the top level as Jason has.
Malik Gordon (Strathfieldsaye)
A supreme athlete that is still making the full transition from basketball to footy. Is an excellent mark, a nice kick and has genuine match-winning traits.
Joel Grace (Ouyen United)
Has added size this year despite being a very talented outside player. The Pioneers are very optimistic about his future.
Zac Grieve (Strathfieldsaye)
Small in stature but big in heart. An outstanding leader who is truly respected by his peers.
Charlie Hillier Deniliquin)
A strong inside midfielder with an intelligent footy brain. Can also hurt a side on the outside with his neat foot skills.
Lachlan Hogan (Moama)
Played for the Allies in the under-16s where he demonstrated his elite decision making and execution by foot.
Alex Hollingworth (Irymple)
A developing third-tall type who will be used in multiple roles this season. A tough and reliable player that his peers love to play with.
Lucas Hurse (Maryborough)
A hard-working midfielder who makes everyone around him better.
Nicholas Jephson (Kyabram)
A talented left-footer who can play tall and small through his ability overhead. Has potential to develop into a problem for opposition players.
Brodie Jones (Mildura)
A defender who deserves his opportunity at the level. Plays his local footy on the border for Mildura.
Harrison Kelly (Golden Square)
Played some decent footy at the level last season, but returns as a 19-year-old. Often a victim of his own work ethic with how hard he trains, pushing his body to its limits.
Caleb Kennedy (Strathfieldsaye)
Has AFL qualities but was brought down with an ugly leg injury last year. On the mend but can expect to see Kennedy mid to late season.
Michael Kiraly (Castlemaine)
Another prospect to look out for as a contender for the mid-season draft if he starts 2023 well. A meticulous footy brain who marks very well. Has trained at Essendon VFL and has impressed those who matter.
Pala Kuma (Robinvale-Euston)
A speedy, aggressive player who kicks the ball well. Comes from a Tongan background and is in the Richmond Next Generation Academy (NGA).
Zaydyn Lockdown (South Bendigo)
Another Richmond NGA prospect who stands over 200cm. Is drenched in athleticism and uses the ball well.
Jack McMahon (Golden Square)
A super teammate who makes others better. Some of Bendigo’s previous drafted prospects often reflect on how difficult he is to play on at training.
Taj McMillan (Swan Hill)
A crafty small-forward that gets the job done and does everything right as a footballer off-field.
Billy Meade (Golden Square)
As the son of a professional triathlete, Meade has taken some attributes from his dad. He is as fit as they come and matches that with his toughness.
Oliver Morris (Sandhurst)
A small, hard-working player that has some tricks to bring to the table.
Jacob Nihill (Sandhurst)
Returns as a 19-year-old and is one of the tallest in the Pioneers’ squad, standing at over 200cm.
Sam O’Shannessy (Ouyen United)
Played some good footy for Bendigo last year but has been brought down by a long-term back injury. He mightn’t be seen until late in the season.
Eli Pearce (White Hills)
Listed at Carlton VFL, Pearce has put in an unbelievable pre-season. Was played as a forward last year, but you can expect to see him in the middle throughout this season.
Oliver Poole (Echuca United)
Caught a lot of interest when playing in a trial game for Vic Country last year. An athletic left-footer who flies for the footy with excitement.
Tait Poyser (South Bendigo)
A player that epitomises leadership. He will be looking to take his game to the next level this year
Harley Reid (Tongala)
Frighteningly is improving his running ability and preparation. The world is his oyster.
Will Rohde (Echuca)
Dripping with excitement, the athletic prospect has a lot of tricks around the ball. Might turn a few heads this season.
Jobe Shanahan (Moama)
Has the ability to play anywhere with his athleticism and his size. Will likely play for the Allies this season.
Harrison Sheahan (Kyneton)
A strong midfielder who has worked extremely hard to be where he is. Missed out on this list last year but took it brilliantly to put in the work and force his way in this year.
Oskar Smartt (Leitchville Gunbower)
A booming kick of the footy who also has excellent running capacity. The ingredients are there, it’s up to Smartt to see what he can cook.
Tobie Travaglia (Sandhurst)
A true competitor and an elite runner. Would challenge the top end of any AFL clubs pre-season 2km time trial.
Dayten Uerata (Sandhurst)
A freakish talent that could accomplish anything. Has already proven his ability to take a high-flying grab and can hit the scoreboard with ease.
Ryan Watson (Mildura)
A hard-working midfielder who has been a regular performer through junior program. A nephew of former AFL stars Chris and Robbie Tarrant.
Third time lucky: Draft snubs, Cats’ crucial hand in ex-VFL ruck’s rise
Joe Pike missed out at the end of 2023 and then again six months later. But 12 months after his initial disappointment, he became a Geelong player. And the Cats were pivotal before drafting him.
Millions on offer for local footy clubs
Grassroots footy clubs in search of much-needed funds have a perfect opportunity coming next week. Find out how you can apply.