LIVE STREAM: Bendigo Pioneers to play host to GWV Rebels in NAB League Girls

Bendigo Pioneers claimed an emphatic win in a battle of two of the NAB League’s country teams against GWV Rebels. Watch a replay of the action here.

The Bendigo Pioneers broke through for its first win of the Saturday after a 50-point win over the Greater Western Victoria Rebels.

Lila Keck continued her impressive start to the season for the home side in a dominant display which included 23 disposals and two goals.

Drew Ryan (21 disposals), Lou Painer (19 disposals), Octavia Di Donato (18 disposals) and Keely Fullerton (18 disposals) were also impressive.

On her return from injury, midfielder Emma Gilligan kicked two goals among 15 disposals.

Lilli Condon battled hard in a losing effort in a spirited display as she finished with 29 disposals and eight tackles.

Paige Scott also caused plenty of problems forward of the footy for the Pioneers’ defenders finishing with 1.4 for the afternoon.

MIDFIELD BATTLE TO BE THE KEY

An all-star midfield battle is set to decide who comes out on top in a NAB League Girls clash between the Bendigo Pioneers and Greater Western Victoria Rebels according to both coaches.

The game will be live streamed across News Corp websites including the Herald Sun as part of a season-long deal with the competition.

All the action will be live from Epsom Huntly Reserve in Bendigo at 12pm on Saturday.

FIND OUT WHO MADE OUR TEAM OF THE WEEK

The David Loader-coached Rebels will enter the game as favourites having got the better of Gippsland Power in the opening round by 59 points.

Ruck Kalani Scoullar was among her team’s better players after a performance which included 29 hit-outs and six disposals.

Paige Scott was among the girls to start the season strong for the Rebels. Photo: Kelly Defina/AFL Photos.

Midfielders Lilli Condon, Tyla Crabtree, Tahlia Meier and Molly Walton are expected to cause plenty of headaches for the Pioneers after dominant displays.

Meanwhile Paige Scott, who kicked two goals against Gippsland, is another player with plenty of match winning ability.

“It was a super start to our season but the best thing about our group is that our girls all want to keep getting better,” Loader said.

“They’ve all developed a fantastic understanding of what we want from them in their roles. Last week was a real example of how we want to play.

“If our midfield group can put together a similar performance I think we will be in a really good position.”

Bendigo coach Danny O’Bree said his he was hoping to see improvement from his side’s midfielder after they went down to the Murray Bushrangers by 37 points in an “exciting game”.

Rising star Lu Painter, 15, was one of the bright spots in the loss last week after finishing with 19 disposals.

Forward Drew Ryan, who finished with two goals, was another player O’Bree named as a potential game changer.

“Lu is a competitive beast — we were really impressed with her game last week,” he said.

“Then Drew had a massive impact when the ball was in her area and we probably didn’t use her enough.

“She’ll spend more time in the middle of the ground this weekend because it’s an area we probably struggled a little against the Bushrangers.

“Having Emma Gilligan, one of our top age girls, come back will also be important for us. She had an injury interrupted 2021 which included a fractured hip so she’s really keen to get back out there.”