Bendigo Pioneers 2024 Coates Talent League Boys list breakdown
They might not have Harley Reid running around for them this year but it doesn’t mean the Bendigo Pioneers are short of talent. We analyse every player in the squad.
Bendigo Pioneers coach Danny O’Bree firmly believes his team will be better this year despite losing the once in a generation talent of Harley Reid to the AFL in the off-season.
The Pioneers enter the new season with plenty of optimism.
Last year was a big year for not only Reid but the Pioneers, dealing with a player with the talent of the new Eagles recruit.
O’Bree admits the way the club ran the program not only changed with Reid but valuable lessons were learnt to help the next generation coming through.
“It was an interesting time with Harley, it was brilliant and we all learned together and learned as a program and we’re proud of the program which developed Harley in different ways,” he said.
“The learning we got was just invaluable for the kids we are going to have in our program going forward.
“Not only was it unprecedented, probably with anyone in Talent League but it was also good to learn off other programs at the time.
“They provided significant help with Reid. We had some great learnings making sure the player welfare was the top priority.
“Hopefully it benefits the kids going forward.”
O’Bree said this year would be all about individual development, making sure Bendigo continues to produce quality players.
Here is a look at all the players in the Pioneers team for this year as coach O’Bree breaks them all down.
Aiden Avery, Mildura
Quite a powerful mid-sized player. Got really good speed and athleticism, good power, and will be a good outside player.
James Barrat, Leitchville-Gunbower
He’s among our top prospects. He’s played on some 200cm giants at 192cm and he contributed significantly on the scoreboard last year. He hasn’t played since April after he had a horrific run with injury last year. He’s had a limited pre-season before Christmas and should be a massive improver as the season goes on.
Ryan Bassett, Koondrook Barham
He is extremely athletic. Got all the athletic traits and has great size at 192cm. He’s absolutely the AFL prototype.
Mitchell Bell, Moama
Got a bit of X-factor despite being lightly framed. Can play inside or outside and should have a good year.
Wil Bennett, Swan Hill
Played in the Vic Country under-16 squad last year. Had a really great run at improving his endurance base. He’s come from the clouds to be one with an exciting future.
Patrick Blake, Tyntynder
Another player from the Vic Country under-16s. Flies under the radar a little bit but he can get the job done as a small forward. Reminds me of Brent Daniels (GWS) a lot.
Taj Bond, Maryborough
A 203cm lightly framed forward player. He grew significantly last year after coming into the program late. He’s had a really good pre-season and is looking really promising.
Jye Chambers, Kyneton
An athletic type who can play any position on the ground. He’s going really well and has a big season ahead.
Kaian Constable, Maryborough
A tough inside midfielder who has got really good speed and finds the ball a lot.
Charlie Cook, South Mildura
A hard running wingman from the Sunraysia who is in his first year in the program. The more games he plays the better he’s going to be at this standard.
James Coulson, Tongala
A player who has come from the clouds and is hoping to replicate what Harley Reid has done from the same club. He is 193cm and has a very nice left foot kick.
Ethan Curran, Nyah Nyah West
Exceptionally quick and has been one of the best in pre-season. He’s starting to put some consistency together and is an exciting talent.
Jed Daniels, Strathfieldsaye
The cousin of GWS forward Brent Daniels. He has elite speed and is an excitement machine. Unfortunately he might miss most of the season with illness.
Jonty Davis, Marong
A really exciting, really quick player. He’s had a great pre-season and I think he’s going to impress a few people. Can get through traffic really well.
Archer Day-Wicks, Sandhurst
He had a really good bottom-aged year and played some great footy. His versatility is exceptional, can play inside and outside. He is an AFL Academy player and plenty of recruiters will be talking about him.
Connor Evans, Kangaroo Flat
Could be anything. He’s just had a lot of injuries in the past couple of years. He’s just trying to get his body right and being consist. If he gets anywhere close to 100 per cent he will be on every recruiters’ list.
Tom Evans, Echuca
Played some real high quality games last year but had some significant injuries that held him back from being consistent. He’s one of our top end products, a really intelligent footballer who can play everyone. He’s got great contest work and good goal sense.
Dusty Geister, Irymple
A hard working forward. What he lacks in leg speed he makes up with football IQ. A really good decision maker.
Glen Gillbee, Balranald
Brother of Jason Gillbee who got drafted to the GWS Giants and is now playing for West Coast in the WAFL. Lightly framed and is a really good runner. Has some good numbers from the GPS and testing. He’s very well skilled, a great decision maker and a nice kick. Is also a great leader.
Liam Gronow, Echuca
An exciting small player who has got good football IQ. A big watch over the next few years.
Gus Hay, Sandhurst
A big bodied kid who has come into the program relatively late. An aggressive player.
Lachlan Hogan, Moama
Exceptionally skilled and is a hard running player.
Jaidi Jackson-Leahy, Strathfieldsaye
An exceptional decision maker who can kick the footy well and has great work rate. He’s grown 11cm in the last three months and has got a strong build now. Is an exciting prospect.
Darby Jones, Leitchville-Gunbower
He shows a lot of promise. Just got to turn into a Talent League player. He’s been a pretty good junior player so just needs to turn it into being a next level player.
Charlie King, Woorinen
A nicely skilled good endurance player. Will be seen outside a lot this season and can do some damage in the game.
Finlay Lockhart, Sandhurst
As good a runner as we have in the program. A 191cm player who has exceptional endurance. When he gets his body right, from injury, he’ll turn heads.
Zaydyn Lockwood, South Bendigo
A developing tall with a great work rate. Can read the ball really well and is a great mark. He’s going to catch the eye.
Mitchell McKnight, Castlemaine
He’s got an exceptional work rate. Looking forward to seeing his learnings over the year. He’s quite a raw prospect who will develop over the next two years.
Jack McMahon, Golden Square
One of our best leaders but will be out for a fair bit of the year with a shoulder injury. He’s an exceptional teammate, a super quality human being and a contest ball machine.
Oliver Morris, Sandhurst
A hard working small player who is an exceptional teammate. A role player who makes others better. He’ll play a lot through the year.
Oliver Poole, Echuca United
Played some footy last year with Carlton. He gets an opportunity as a 19-year-old and could be prominent in the mid-season draft. Plays as a winger and in the forward line.
Nash Ramage, Echuca United
A very exciting athletic AFL prototype. It’s his first time in the program as a very late player to the program. He’s 19-years-old and an exciting late developer.
Thomas Rutledge, Macedon
He’s one of our most dominant juniors in our region. He’s had some significant injury setbacks but is a really tough customer. Reminds me of forward Jack O’Sullivan who got drafted to Hawthorn last year.
Jude Ryan, Colbinabbin
A hard working and versatile small medium player at 182cm. He’s an exceptional teammate.
Koben Ryan, Lake Boga
An exciting small forward. He’s got really good speed. Hopefully he can provide plenty of energy in the forward line and show some craft like Brent Daniels (GWS player who was a Pioneer).
Angus Scoble, Kyabram
Got some really good traits and is really versatile. He’s going really well and has some real qualities that recruiters will run their eye over. He’s also got plenty of improvement.
Jobe Shanahan, Moama
One of our top prospects. He’s progressing extremely well and his working really hard.
Nick Thompson, Charlton
A very exciting talent. He has an exceptionally bright future. A multi-faceted player who can play anywhere on the ground. Very versatile and got some exceptional qualities. A top-age player who could be among those looked at in the draft.
Tobie Travaglia, Sandhurst
Another Vic Country under-18 member. He’s had some significant moments in games and on grand final day in the Academy game. He showed he’s got a work rate ready for an AFL club. An intense competitor.
Dayten Uerata, Sandhurst
He’s very exciting and a great talent. Got very good evasive skills and is a matchwinner. Can play anywhere around the ground except in ruck.
Lachlan Vrolijks, Swan Hill
A bottom-aged player who is not afraid to get in and have a go. It will be great to see where he ends up in 18 months time.
Hunter Wright, Golden Square
A very exciting bottom-aged player who played for Vic Country under-16s last year. An exceptional left footer who is a great decision maker.
Archie Watt, Kyabram
A tough, clean and exceptional kick of the football. Has super speed and great endurance, which is a great combination to have as a midfielder. One of our top prospects.
Shaun Watson, Mildura
A really exciting young prospect. Played for Vic Country under-16s. Is 193cm and is a really powerful unit, extremely versatile. Can play as a forward or back and can be a big bodied midfielder.
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Originally published as Bendigo Pioneers 2024 Coates Talent League Boys list breakdown
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