Bendigo Pioneers coach Danny O'Bree expects the standard of NAB League Girls football to mirror the increase in quality seen at AFLW level.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Pioneers under-19s and under-17 girls squads start their 2022 campaign in Yarrawonga on Saturday against the Murray Bushrangers.
Despite having a number of key players missing from the under-19 side for round one, O'Bree said the Pioneers will be a much improved team after they completed a strong pre-season schedule.
"Having more numbers at training the standards raise,'' O'Bree said.
"That's really important for our girls program and I'm looking forward to seeing the fruits of that.
"The girls are better prepared, they're fitter, they're stronger and they have better skills.
"Like we've seen in the AFLW in the last couple of weeks, the standard is really rising. I'm sure we'll see that in the NAB League."
The Pioneers have a mix of experienced players and rookies to face the Bushrangers on Saturday.
"We probably have five or six players out of our best side because of some limited preparations,'' O'Bree said.
"We're being patient this year to play our best players when they're absolutely ready.
"Last year we probably threw them on the park when they were only 60 to 80 per cent. This year we're in a fortunate position to be able to be patient with them and make sure they're ready.
"This weekend is an opportunity for five or six players to come in and either play their first game of footy or play their first game for the Pioneers. It's exciting."
O'Bree said it would be foolish to set expectations too high in 2022.
"You see it every year in NAB League that things can change on a weekly basis in terms of how many players you have available,'' he said.
"All I want to see is the girls in our program improve. We're setting these girls up to give them the best chance to succeed."
Pioneers' under-19s team to play Murray Bushrangers:
B: J. Douglas, L. Gregor, E. Everist. HB: O. DiDonato, M. Marks, B. O'Rourke. C: S. Demeo, L. Keck, C. Evans. HF: D. Ryan, T Williams, A. Edwards. F: S. Orritt, T. Davidge, K. Fullarton. Foll: F. Pearce, A. Donnelly, L. Painter. Int: E. Bell, N. Bacon, D. Greenwood, M. Pearce, E. Daly, M. Pianta. Emg: G. Sanford, J. Cooper, E. Cail
Pioneers' under-17 girls team to play Murray Bushrangers:
B: J. Morrison, S. Hobbs, S. McClelland. HB: B. Lewis, S. Johnston, E Cail. C: I. Spratt, A. Haigh, O. Symes. HF: A. Franklin, N. Cox, G. Sanford. F: J. Short, H. Ripper, J. Cooper. Foll: S. Pearce, L. Moss, N. Pinner. Int: O. Lacy, E. Coutts, M. Newlan, J. Caruso, S. Cooper, E. Jeffery. Emg: A. Bibby, K. Monleon, E. Henery, C. Pennefather.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark bendigoadvertiser.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter @BgoAddy
- Follow us on Instagram @bendigoadvertiser
- Join us on Facebook
- Follow us on Google News