Cohuna's Josh Treacy and Echuca's Jack Evans have been appointed co-captains of the Bendigo Pioneers for the 2020 NAB League season.
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Strathfieldsaye's Jack Ginnivan is vice-captain in a leadership group that has impressed new Bendigo Pioneers coach Damian Truslove.
"Josh and Jack are outstanding individuals that have strong voices on and off field,'' Truslove said of Evans and Treacy.
"They lead by example with their work rate, voice and direction.
"They'll compliment each other really well."
After a strong bottom-age season last year, Ginnivan steps up into a leadership role in 2020.
"Jack's had a really good pre-season where he's gone to another level with his voice and guidance and leadership of the group,'' Truslove said of Ginnivan.
"He's really matured. He's obviously a very good player, but he's also leading example with his work ethic at training.
"He's in a good place."
Treacy, Evans and Ginnivan were selected from a wider leadership group of seven players that also included Sandhurst's Cooper Smith, Golden Square duo Xavier Murley and Darcy Matricardi and Kangaroo Flat's Jack Hickman.
"Once we identified our seven leaders I spoke to them and the staff about who they thought should be captain,'' Truslove said.
"From that it was pretty clear who our three leaders should be."
Truslove made the move to the Pioneers after previously being a development coach at AFL level with the GSW Giants.
Nearing the completion of his first pre-season in charge, Truslove couldn't be happier with the commitment shown by the Pioneers players and staff.
"Everything we've put in place the players have had a crack at to the best of their ability,'' Truslove said.
"Our staff are outstanding. They love footy and love working hard.
"It's an exciting program and we're really happy with where we're at."
The Pioneers travel to Ballarat on Sunday for three trial matches against the Greater Western Victoria Rebels.
The Pioneers and Rebels will play one under-16 game and two under-18 matches.
"I'm excited to see what the players can produce after all the education and training we've done in the pre-season,'' Truslove said.
"It will be interesting to see how the group goes against the Rebels on Sunday."
The Pioneers will have close to a full-strength squad for the practice matches.
One notable absentee will be ruckman Aaron Gundry, who has been called up by the Northern Blues to play in a VFL practice match against Essendon on Friday night.
"It's great for Aaron to get this opportunity,'' Truslove said.
"He's trained really well in the pre-season and he's in good form."
The leaders of the Bendigo Pioneers' under-18 girls squad will be announced later this week.
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