SWAN Hill’s brightest young talents returned to training last week as the Bendigo Pioneers prepare for one of their biggest seasons yet.
With inconsistent form over the past couple of years, the coaching staff identified a crop of handy players that could take them all the way — including 16-year-old Brent Daniels.
The midfielder played five matches for the Pioneers last year and has been around the squad, trying to improve his football.
With praise being heaped onto Brent as a bright future prospect, the youngster said he just wanted to get back into training to “see what happens”.
“Training has been pretty good but they have been hard sessions, though it is good to get to know the guys,” he said.
“It is good being in development … we are playing against the best kids in Victoria under 18 and that is a great thing.
“I love it. I have been playing my whole life and every time I run out onto the field I love it … I just want to play good footy and see what happens from there.”
Brent comes from a family of good footballers — his father, Greg, played five games for Collingwood in the ’80s — and he said it was motivating.
“My dad played a few games with Collingwood and he has been a bit of a mentor for me,” he said.
“I suppose everyone in the program dreams of the AFL and … [if selected] I would want to go for Collingwood.”
For more sports stories, pick up a copy of Friday’s Guardian (November 20).
