Sandhurst-listed players dominate the Bendigo Pioneers' final squad for the 2019 National Under-18 Competition.

The Dragons have eight representatives in the final squad of 50, while Golden Square, Mildura and Echuca have five players each.

The squad of 50 players includes Sandhurst midfielder Flynn Perez, who won't play this year after undergoing a knee reconstruction.

"We're very happy with the top end of our list and we think the under-17 players compliment that group with theit outside run,'' Pioneers' coach Rick Coburn said.

"We feel we have a competitive group of players that are very committed to play at the highest level they can.

"Overall, the pre-season has been really good. The boys look like they're in really good physical condition, probably better than we have the past couple of years."

The squad includes three over-age players - Sandhurst key forward Sean O'Farrell, Echuca utility Riley Clarke and Balranald on-baller Kobe Lloyd.

The Pioneers played their first practice matches on Sunday against the powerful Oakleigh Chargers.

Coburn said both clubs rested their higher-rated players.

"In the main under-18 game we went down by a couple of goals which was a really pleasing effort,'' Coburn said.

"In the second under-18 game we were well beaten which shows the depth difference between the country and metro sides.

"In the under-16s we only went down by a couple of goals. Across the day the standard of the footy was pretty good."

The Pioneers play the Greater Western Victoria Rebels in practice matches in Ballarat this Sunday.

The club has a training camp at AFL club Richmond's base on March 9-10 before a final practice match against the Murray Bushrangers in Shepparton on March 17.

The National Under-18 Competition home and away season starts on the weekend of March 23-24. The Pioneers are away to the Geelong Falcons on Sunday, March 24.

Bendigo Pioneers squad:

Aaron Gundry (South Bendigo) 

Adam McPhee (Rochester) 

Angus Cole (Mildura)

Ben Atley (Rochester) 

Ben Worme (Sandhurst)

Bill Lee (Birchip)

Brady Rowles (Mildura)

Braydon Vaz (Golden Square)

Brodie Kemp (Echuca)

Caleb Fisher (Kyneton)

Cobi Maxted (Sandhurst)

Cooper Smith (Sandhurst)

Cooper Vick (Kyabram) 

Darcy Matricardi (Trentham)

Ethan Roberts (Kangaroo Flat)

Evan Davie (Kyneton)

Finn Ellis Castle (Mildura) 

Flynn Perez (Sandhurst) 

Jack Evans (Echuca) 

Jack Ginnivan (Golden Square) 

Jack Hickman (Kangaroo Flat) 

Jack Merrin (Golden Square) 

Jake Dick-O'Flaherty (Barham/Koondrook) 

James Mittel (Sandhurst) 

James Schischka (Strathfieldsaye) 

Jeremy Rodi (Mildura) 

Joe Guiney (Echuca) 

Josh Treacy (Cohuna)

Kobe Brown (Mildura) 

Kobe Lloyd (Balranald) 

Kye Attwell (Barham/Koondrook) 

Lachlan Bond (Marybrough)

Liam Latch (Newstead)

Logan Fitzgerald (Balranald)

Matt Hird (Barham/Koondrook)

Matt Lias (Echuca)

Max Johnson (Kangaroo Flat)

Nathan Kay (Rochester)

Noah Walsh (Sandhurst)

Riley Clarke (Echuca)

Riley Ironside (Kyabram)

Riley Wilson (Strathfieldsaye) 

Sam Conforti (Sandhurst) 

Sam McGlone (Cohuna) 

Sean O'Farrell (Sandhurst)

Thomson Dow (Swan Hill)

Will Shaw (Deniliquin Rams)

Will Wallace (Strathfieldsaye)

Zack Shelton (Golden Square)

 Zavier Murley (Golden Square)

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