MILDURA'S Sam Simmons will be aiming to mark his captaincy debut with victory when the Bendigo Pioneers start their TAC Cup football season on Saturday against Murray Bushrangers in Benalla.
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A second-year player at the Pioneers, Simmons is joint captain with Liam Collins.
Illness has meant that Collins, who previously played for Kangaroo Flat and is now at YCW, will miss a large chunk of the season.
The Pioneers will be aiming to lift his spirits by taking the points against the Bushrangers.
"Being joint captain with Liam is an absolute honour," Simmons said on Friday.
"He is a great mate and awesome bloke."
A team leader in previous seasons at Broken Hill and Mildura, Simmons is captain for the first time.
He goes into 2015 a lot fitter and stronger than a year ago.
"In pre-season we have worked really hard. There was a lot of running, but usually in match situations," Simmons said.
The Sunraysia region is again well represented on the Pioneers list.
The round one line-up includes Jayden Fox from Mildura Imperials and Jesse Muscatello from South Mildura.
Injury restricted the lead-up of Red Cliffs clubmates Jonty Marciano and Liam McGlashan who will be pushing for selection in weeks to come.
Many of the Pioneers from Mildura have relocated to Bendigo and are involved in the specialist sports program at Bendigo Senior Secondary College.
"The move to Bendigo was a lot easier because a couple of mates from school - Matt Chisari and Jayden Fox - were also moving down after being selected in the Pioneers squad."
Simmons said quick movement of the ball would be a key to the Pioneers play.
"We don't have the tallest team in the TAC Cup, so our run will be important."
The match against the Bushrangers is also the first time Brett Henderson chases premiership points as Pioneers coach.
In the lead-up to the season, Henderson said defensive pressure and versatility were two areas that had been a major focus for the squad.
"As a player you cannot be one-dimensional. Being able to play two or three positions or more is what we aim for in player development."
The Pioneers squad includes 10 first-year players.
"The pace and intensity will be higher, but I am confident they will all adapt well," Henderson said.
Saturday's action in Benalla kicks off with the under-16s match at noon.
The under-18s contest starts at 2pm.
Bendigo Pioneers under-18 team to play Murray:
B: Jayden Fox, Marty Hore, Matthew Chisari. Hb: Lachie Tardrew, Braidon Blake, Joseph Atley. C: Lachlan Ryan, Sam Simmons, Xavia Elford. Hf: Bailey Edwards, Rhys Free, Jayden Burke. F: John Harvey, Josh Ryan, Jamarrah Firebrace. Foll: Jack Lawton, Tommy Cole, Aidyn Johnson. Inter (from): Mitchell Trait, Kyle Mueller, Brayden Worsnop, Nick Cottrell, Jesse Muscatello, Jayden White, Lachlan Schultz.
