The Pioneers duo were in Victoria Country's best players in the 61-point loss to Victoria Metro at Werribee.

Ernst, who played predominantly as a key forward, took seven marks and kicked two goals to be Country's best big man.

Co-captain Conforti was damaging through the midfield and picked up 21 possessions.

"Caleb competed really well in the air and played well,'' Pioneers' coach Danny O'Bree said.

"Sam spent a little time down back as well, he had five tackles and about six one-percenters. He was lively around the ball, applied plenty of pressure and used the ball pretty well.

"It was good to see them play well."

Current Pioneers' players Ryan O'Keefe, Jack Hickman Xavier Mitchell and Cobi Maxted and ex-Pioneers' ruckman Aaron Gundry also played for Vic Country.

Vic Metro 14.13 (97) d Vic Country 5.6 (36)

GOALS - Metro: White 2, Soylemez 2, Massarotti 2, Paea 2, Raak 2, Arundell, Riley, Smith, Hipwell. Country: Ernst 2, Mitchell, Gribble, Wareham

BEST - Metro: Massarotti, Paea, Smith, Hipwell, Raak, Preston. Country: Ernst, Gribble, El Nour, Conforti, Bravo, Papley.

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Meanwhile, Bendigo Pioneer Cooper Smith turned heads in his VFL debut for North Melbourne.

Smith, who was an emergency for Vic Country in the Young Guns game, was named fourth best for the Roos in their loss to Southport in Queensland.

The Sandhurst product was selected by the Roos on the back of good form in the NAB League.

His Pioneers' team-mate Nathan Kay kicked one goal for the Roos.

Former Pioneers half-forward Jack Ginnivan kicked three goals for Collingwood at VFL level on Saturday.

Selected by the Pies in last year's rookie draft, Ginnivan picked up 13 disposals in the four-point win over Coburg at Victoria Park.

The 18-year-old has kicked five goals in four VFL games this season.

Bendigo Pioneers under-19 girls star Jemma Finning made her VFLW debut for Essendon in the Bombers' 23-point loss to Geelong.

Read more: Bendigo junior footy results

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