BENDIGO Pioneers midfielder Kobe Mutch has bolstered his chances of AFL draft selection by being named in the under-18 All-Australian side.
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Mutch, a member of the Greater Western Sydney Academy, was selected on the interchange after some standout performances for the NSW/ACT Allies.
The 184cm midfielder, from Wentworth, was one of three Allies named in the team, dominated by nine Victoria Metro selections.
His TAC Cup coach Brett Henderson said he was absolutely thrilled with the youngster’s All-Australian selection and the performances of all seven Pioneers represented.
"That's been our highest number for a few years," he said.
"It's probably cost us a bit as far as home and away footy goes, but we are a development program.
“It was great to see the way they all contributed."
Henderson lauded the performances of Pioneers skipper Joe Atley, Lachie O’ Brien, Cooper Jones and Braidon Blake.
“We have a fair bit of talent, it’s just a matter of getting them playing in the one side, which we haven’t been able to do all year,” he said.
“In the next couple of weeks that will happen.”
Meanwhile, Bendigo will take a young side into Sunday's clash against the sixth-placed Calder Cannons at Swan Hill.
The Pioneers' team will contain 16 bottom-aged players, understood to be the most used by any club in TAC Cup history.
Henderson was however confident those selected would grab their chance.
"We are really looking forward to seeing these guys go against a pretty formidable opposition," he said.
"I have no doubt about the quality of the boys coming through.
"We have a few injuries and have a few boys unavailable obviously because we had so many playing nationals, but it's just a fantastic opportunity for these boys."
The Cannons had no representatives at the nationals and will be boosted by the inclusion of a handful of players back from school football.
It will be the Pioneers’s first home game for premiership points in Swan Hill for many seasons and a memorable occasion for Tyntynder’s Pat Crowe, who will make his debut in front of an expected big home crowd.
Jack Thomas (Barham-Koondrook), Laine Fitzgerald (Balranald), Kayle Kirby (Tyntynder and Paddy Dow (Swan Hill) will ensure a strong local flavour.
“We are really keen on getting out into the regions and really connecting with local communities – this gives us a real good opportunity to do so,” Henderson said.