Rick Coburn and Shawn McCormick have turned to untried talent in a bid to spark their NAB League sides on Saturday.
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Pioneers' under-18 boys coach Coburn has selected Kangaroo Flat's Jack Hickman and Golden Square's Zavier Murley to make their NAB League debut in the clash with the Calder Cannons at Craigieburn.
After making a strong start to the season, the Pioneers' boys have lost their past two matches.
"Last week (against Northern) we didn't play at our best, but still only lost by five points,'' Coburn said.
"We're a competitive side this year and if we can play somewhere near our best then we'll give ourselves a chance of winning the game.
"Calder is quite a good side. They've played some very good sides in the first few rounds, so I'm not taking any notice of where they are on the ladder."
The Cannons have a 1-3 record after four rounds, while the Pioneers are 2-2.
Meanwhile, the Pioneers' girls side to play Calder on Saturday will feature five 16-year-old's - Katelyn Hazlett, Charlotte Mcgillivray, Jayda Richardson, Madeline Marks and Eliza Bell.
"We have a focus on the future and these girls still have two years in the competition,'' Pioneers' coach McCormick said.
"They're all getting a taste of this level this year and they'll be better for it next year."
The Pioneers' girls probably need to win their final two matches to force their way into the top four and a finals berth.
Saturday's matches at Craigieburn start at 12.30pm and 2.15pm.
Bendigo Pioneers under-18 boys team to play Calder:
B: 17. L. Fitzgerald, 34. W. Wallace, 16. K. Lloyd. HB: 38. B. Rowles, 10. B. Vaz, 19. B. Worme. C: 1. S. Conforti, 20. J. Schischka, 25. W. Shaw. HF: 29. J. Ginnivan, 32. K. Attwell, 31. R. Ironside. F: 13. K. Brown, 22. J. Treacy, 35. C. Fisher. R: 11. A. Gundry, 21. R. Wilson, 6. J. Rodi. Int: 2. J. Hickman, 28. Z. Murley, 9. E. Roberts, 41. Z. Shelton, 49. C. Vick. 23P: 40. J. Evans. In: Z. Murley, J. Hickman, E. Roberts, J. Evans. Out: A. Cole, R. Clarke, M. Johnson.
Bendigo Pioneers under-18 girls team to play Calder:
B: 25. K. Hazlett, 36. K. Douglass, 49. C. McGillivray. HB: 28. E. Gretgrix, 46. K. Mitchell, 33. B. Heiden. C: 3. E. Snell, 14. A. Strahan, 1. M. Tupper. HF: 19. J. Finning, 30. H. Stewart, 44. J. Jolliffe. F: 38. M. Marks , 22. G. Barton, 16. A. Thompson. R: 12. E. Bell, 4. B. Hards, 20. D. Villiva. Int: 50. M. Barton, 8. T. Coad, 43. J. Richardson, 7. M. Ward. In: J. Richardson, C. McGillivray, A. Strahan, M. Ward, M. Marks. Out: R. Stubbings, S. Oliver, T. Slender, T. Hopkins, G. Sladden.
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