IT WASN’T the result they were looking for, when the Bendigo Pioneers Girls side officially launched at Punt Road Oval on Saturday.
With a crop of Gannawarra Shire and Swan Hill Region stars on show, the new-Pioneers were outplayed by the Murray Bushrangers 13.5.83 to 2.1.13 at the weekend in a TAC Cup Girls clash.
The match up — formally a round 2 clash which was moved forward — saw an inexperienced Bendigo side run out onto the field.
Head coach Shawn McCormick told The Guardian the side would build when their more experienced players return to the side.
“We had a few players out, which is no excuse, but once they got on top of us we couldn’t capitalise and stay in the game,” he said.
“There was two periods in the game where we had a lot of football but we couldn’t kick any goals… we lacked a couple of bigger bodies but we will improve as we go, it is about developing the squad.
“We can learn a lot more from losing than we can from winning.”
While the side lost, Tooleybuc’s Eden Zanker is being touted as a future star of the Pioneers.
The youngster has been scouted by the Pioneers’ coaching staff after impressing recently.
The Woorinen Tigers Youth Girls player, who was best and fairest during her Under 14s season, will be put behind the ball in her first few outings as a Pioneer, according to coach McCormick.
Once she finds her feet, she will be moved into a key position spot in the forward line. The Bendigo Pioneers Girls will be back in action in round 1 on March 19 against Eastern Rangers at RAMS Arena.
The Mallee’s Pioneers
Maddy Baldwin — Macorna
Hannah Spencer — Wandella
Eden Zanker — Tooleybuc
Luca Gallo — Woorinen Youth Girls
Megan Williamson — Woorinen Youth Girls
Breanna Kelly-Guthrie — Woorinen Youth Girls
Dayna Kelly-Guthrie — Woorinen Youth Girls
Jordyn Jolliffe — Woorinen Youth Girls and Greater Western Sydney Giants Academy
