The Bendigo Pioneers finished the TAC Cup home and away season on the bottom of the ladder with two wins from 16 games, but they could still force their way into the finals series.
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The 12th-placed Pioneers face the fifth-placed Murray Bushrangers on Sunday in the TAC Cup wildcard round.
The top four teams on the ladder – Dandenong, Gippsland, Oakleigh and Sandringham – automatically qualified for the finals.
The remaining eight teams play in the wildcard round, with the four winners to advance to the finals series.
The Pioneers face a tough ask against a Murray side that defeated Bendigo by 57 and 40 points in their two previous matches this season.
The Pioneers retain AFL Draft prospect Jye Caldwell, but vice-captain Noah Wheeler is out of the side.
Sunday’s game starts at 1.30pm at IKON Park.