BENDIGO Pioneers might have ended up with the Coates Talent League Girls wooden spoon, but were able to blood a number of future young guns, while recording three State Draft Combine players at the same time. In the first of our team review series, we take a look at the Pioneers’ year.
SEASON 2025
SNAPSHOT
Played: 14
Won: 2
Lost: 12
BEST PERFORMANCE
Round 18: def. GWV Rebels by four points
While the margin itself might not seem like a lot, the fact a 19-player Pioneers outfit rolled a full strength Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels team in front of home fans to finish off the season, was a game to remember. They go out on a high with a trio of State Combine invitees, and some talented prospects for the future.
DRAFT PROSPECTS
NATIONAL DRAFT COMBINE
Nil.
STATE DRAFT COMBINE
Ava Bibby (Sandhurst)
Key Position Utility | 186cm | 09/05/2007
Stats [10 games]: 10.4 disposals, 3.7 marks, 12.0 hitouts, 3.3 tackles, 1.9 clearances, 1.5 inside 50s, 1.4 rebound 50s, 4 goals
The ultra-athletic key position player had a delayed start to teh season and missed the bulk of the national championships before returning for the last game against South Australia. The Sandhurst prospect can act as a traditional forward with strong hands, a powerful lead and reliable set shot kick. Though ultimately she only kicked four goals in season 2025, she expanded her versatility, spending time through the ruck, and even down in defence at times.
Ella Jeffrey (Kyneton)
Defender/Midfielder | 167cm | 09/08/2007
Stats [13 games]: 17.6 disposals, 3.4 marks, 6.0 tackles, 2.0 clearances, 1.7 inside 50s, 3.3 rebound 50s
The rock that held the Pioneers together alongside half a dozen other players, Jeffrey managed 13 games, earned a Vic Country spot and certainly did her draft chances no harm in 2025. A highly competitive player who is reliable by foot, looks to generate run out of the back half and can play in a variety of roles if required. Her preferred spot is inside midfield, but is one of those reliable players who does her job week in, week out.
Olivia Lacy (Sandhurst)
Defender/Midfielder | 169cm | 15/06/2007
Stats [8 games]: 18.6 disposals, 3.9 marks, 6.3 tackles, 2.6 clearances, 2.3 inside 50s, 2.3 rebound 50s, 1 goal
Injuries have not been kind to Lacy having missed the Under 17 Futures match last season and then going down in the Pioneers’ Round 3 match this year. She did not return until Round 13, though did get some valuable national championships experience playing in defence. Her disposal average was tainted by her statless injury game, having clocked between 20-24 disposals in every single game with outstanding consistency. A contested ball-winner and tackling machine who knows where to runn.
FUTURE PROSPECTS
The Pioneers have quite a few bottom-age prospects – and double bottom-age prospects – to keep in mind. One such player is Lacey Nihill who was phenomenally consistent in 2025. Able to be deployed in the midfield, off a wing, down back or as she showed on the weekend, up forward, Nihill will fill a void with nice ball-winning ability and evasion techniques.

Beth Morris looms as the natural player to step up in Lacy’s absence to lead the inside brigade in 2026 as a high contested ball-winner who knows her way around a stoppage. While Georgia Garlick has played on-ball, she is a smooth-moving half-back or wing who has a deadly left foot when moving in transition.
Vic Country Under 16s representative Sage Dennis is a old school footballer who shows no fear and will lay the bone-crunching tackle or put her body on the line for her team. She is only small at 160cm, but she is tough, and she knows how to use the ball as well. She, Mia Clark, Dempsey McDonnell and mainstay Jordan O’Bree are among a host of 2009-born talents.