BENDIGO Pioneers onballer Tommy Cole will play his third VFL match for Geelong this Sunday.
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Cole is in the Cats line-up to tackle Sandringham on the Zebras’ turf at Trevor Barker Beach Oval.
The Pioneers star’s first match for Geelong this season was against Collingwood at Bendigo’s Queen Elizabeth Oval in early May.
He played for the Cats in their recent hit-out with North Ballarat.
Pioneers coach Brett Henderson said Cole’s workrate and skills were at an exceptional level.
“He is ready-made for the next step,” Henderson said of the talented teen from Sandhurst.
“His ability to win contested footy and bring team-mates into play is superb.
“Tommy is a fierce competitor.”
A big year for Cole included playing a key role for Victoria Country as it won the AFL national under-18 championships.
He is also a member of the AFL-AIS Academy program.
Sunday’s match at Sandringham starts at 2pm.
With Cole playing with the Cats on Sunday, he will miss the Pioneers’ TAC Cup match against the Northern Knights at Golden Square’s MyJet Oval from 1pm on Saturday.
The Pioneers will also have Marty Hore and Lachlan Tardrew unavailable, with both playing for Essendon in Friday night’s VFL game against Footscray at the QEO.
Bendigo and Northern both go into Saturday’s game with two wins apiece for the season.
Meanwhile, presentation day for the Pioneers’ under-18 and under-16 teams will be held on August 30 at Bendigo Club in Strathdale.
Major highlight of the day will be the naming of the Neville Strauch Medallist as under-18s club champion.
Format of the day is under-18 team photo at 11am, guests arrive at 11.30am, under-16 presentations at noon, lunch at 12.30pm, and under-18 presentation at 1pm.
Tickets are $30 each. The function at the Park Street-based club includes a two-course meal.
Bookings can be made by calling the Pioneers on 5442 4466 or via bendigop@bigpond.net.au
• TAC Cup ladder after round 17: North Ballarat (12-3); Dandeonong (12-3); Murray (11-4); Eastern (9-5-1); Geelong (8-4-3); Oakleigh (9-6); Gippsland (7-7-1); Calder (6-8-1); Sandringham (5-9-1); Northern (2-13); Bendigo (2-13); Western (1-14).