FOR some the season finished just a week or so ago but they were back on the field at Tuesday’s first running of the Bendigo Bank Pioneers Football Club’s selection trials.
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About 100 players from many pockets in the Pioneers region throughout central and northen Victoria went through their paces in the under-16s session at Epsom-Huntly Reserve.
Lining up for a second year as the Pioneers under-16s coach, Dean Sheldrick said the day included a 2km time trial and scratch matches.
“We have about 100 players aiming to be in a final squad of 25 by March,” Sheldrick said.
“It’s a challenging process for them, the coaches and selectors.”
Sheldrick is being assisted by Bill Higgs and Travis Matheson.
Feedback was also given throughout and after the session by Rick Coburn, AFL Central Victoria football development manager.
Sheldrick said the first of the trial games for the under-16 squad will be at Robinvale in December.
Practice matches in February will be in conjuction with the TAC Cup under-18s schedule.
The AFL Victoria Country under-16s championships are in the first three weeks of the TAC Cup under-18 season.
Pioneers trials roll on Wednesday when the under-17s take to Epsom-Huntly’s No.1 oval at 9.30am. The under-18s will be at the ground on Thursday.