BENDIGO Pioneers always tend to have a young list given the large landmass region and always looking to develop those from across north west Victoria, and in 2026, the team will have a nice balance of top and bottom-age prospects once again.

LAST SEASON

Played: 14
Wins: 2
Losses: 12

Bendigo had to wait until the second half of the Talent League Girls season last year to notch up a win, but the Pioneers finished off with two victories, one each over GWV Rebels and Western Jets. The Pioneers will be looking to continue to develop with plenty of young talent coming through the program.

FIXTURE

Round 2: vs. Gippsland Power | April 12 @ Queen Elizabeth Oval
Round 3: vs. Murray Bushrangers | April 19 @ Deakin Reserve
Round 4: vs. Calder Cannons | April 26 @ Highgate Recreation Reserve
Round 5: vs. Northern Territory | May 2 @ TIO Stadium
Round 6: vs. Dandenong Stingrays | May 10 @ Queen Elizabeth Oval
Round 7: vs. Northern Knights | May 16 @ Queen Elizabeth Oval
Round 9: vs. Calder Cannons | May 30 @ Queen Elizabeth Oval
Round 12: vs. Gippsland Power | June 21 @ La Trobe University
Round 13: vs. Murray Bushrangers | June 27 @ Rumbalara Recreation Reserve
Round 14: vs. Geelong Falcons | July 4 @ Queen Elizabeth Oval
Round 17: vs. Eastern Ranges | July 26 @ Queen Elizabeth Oval
Round 18: vs. GWV Rebels | August 2 @ Mars Stadium
Round 19: vs. Tasmania Devils | August 8 @ Shepley Oval
Round 20: vs. Western Jets | August 16 @ Queen Elizabeth Oval

The Pioneers play half of their 14 games at Queen Elizabeth Oval which is a great change to play at the historic venue more often and in blocks. They start off there against the Power and finish there as well against the Jets, while also making the trip to the Top End on May 2 to face the Northern Territory.

TOP-AGE PLAYERS TO WATCH

Producing an ultra-consistent season last year, Lacey Nihill is one of a handful of Pioneers looking to take her game to the next level in 2026. She can play anywhere on the field, with inside and outside capabilities, and a balance of offensive and defensive traits as well. As she looks to further develop her game, Nihill will be a player to keep tabs on this year.

A strong inside prowess, Beth Morris is no stranger to muscling her way around the stoppage. She uses clean hands and good body positioning to quite often feed the ball out to her teammates. Morris is looking to develop more of her outside game in 2026, but has some promising traits as that inside ball-winner.

The smooth-moving Georgia Garlick has plenty of eye-catching traits, with the left-footed half-back having also spent time on-ball and on a wing with similar versatility to Nihill. When she can get on her preferred left side, Garlick can inflict serious damage on the opposition and is regarded as one of the most dedicated and professional players to have come through the program.

FUTURE NAMES TO REMEMBER

Bendigo has plenty of bottom-age talent to choose from with four players having made Vic Country’s Under 16s squad last season. Though only 160cm, Sage Dennis is pound-for-pound one of the toughest players going around. She played with explosiveness and aggression and has also shown an ability to roll between a number of positions.

At the other end of the scale, 176cm tall Dempsey McDonnell can provide an aerial presence, having only played the two games at Talent League level, but showed plenty both in the air and at ground level, also rotating into the ruck. Small defender Leisi Kirirua-Gill played seven games, while Rania Jackson-Leahy got to taste a few games as well. Unlucky to miss out on the Country squad, Jordan O’Bree became a cemented member of the Pioneers’ team last year with 11 games, the equal most for a bottom-ager with Sophie O’Connell.

SUMMARY

Bendigo Pioneers head into 2026 with some talented players and will look to build on their solid second half of the 2025 season. The Pioneers always spend lots of time on the road, but will have the opportunity to play in front of home fans in half the games which is exciting for the upcoming year.