The Rural Bank Bendigo Pioneers snapped an eight-game losing streak when they upset the Gippsland Power at Windy Hill on Saturday.
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The Pioneers, who hadn’t won since the opening round of the season, overcame a slow start to defeat the Power 10.10 (70) to 7.8 (50).
The match was part of the TAC Cup Futures Round, with both teams required to select at least 11 bottom-age players.
The Pioneers showed the future is bright after they selected 18 bottom-age players for the game.
“It was a really good, fast game of footy with all the young players on both sides,’’ Pioneers’ coach Rick Coburn said.
“We started a bit slowly and they kicked the first three goals, but after that I thought our boys put together three solid quarters of footy.
“We structured up around the ground well, used the ball well through the corridor and got the win.”
After trailing by 16 points at quarter-time, the Pioneers outscored the Power 3.3 to 2.3 in the second quarter.
They started to get on top in the third quarter and went to three quarter-time with a three-point lead.
The final quarter was one way traffic as the Pioneers kicked 4.2 to 1.3 to scored a well-deserved victory.
“It took us the first 15 minutes of the game to settle and then we got better and better as the game went on,’’ Coburn said.
“It was really pleasing to see the boys finish the game so strongly.
“We probably had another half a quarter in us at the end whereas the Gippsland boys were starting to find it tough.
“It felt like we dominated possession in the second half and we wore them down.”
Midfielder Noah Wheeler was outstanding for the Pioneers.
His grunt work at the stoppages set the tone for the day and he capped a fine match with a great goal in the final quarter to help seal victory.
Bottom-age player Braydon Vaz has made a big impact in just three games for the Pioneers.
The Golden Square teenager played at centre half-forward on Saturday and was a great target.
Midfielders Flynn Perez and Jeremy Rodi won plenty of the ball and defender/forward Brodie Kemp was impressive.
“We got contributions across the board today, which was really pleasing,’’ Coburn said.
“It was good to see the boys get some reward for their hard work.”
The Pioneers have next weekend off. Their next game is against the Greater Western Victoria Rebels at the QEO on Sunday, July 8.