WHILE Bendigo Pioneers again finished on the bottom of the ladder for season 2026, they blooded a number of prospects who have put themselves in draft contention. Though the top-age group has a few chances, there are also a number of future prospects to take note of for 2027 and beyond. In the first of our team review series, we take a look at the Pioneers’ year.

SEASON 2026

SNAPSHOT

Played: 14
Won: 1
Lost: 13

BEST PERFORMANCE

Round 5: def. Northern Territory by 21 points

Funnily enough, the Pioneers were the only side to defeat a Northern Academy during the Talent League Girls season, and did it on the Territory’s home deck at TIO Stadium in Darwin. In what would be the Pios’ only win of the season, they kicked three goals to nil in the premiership quarter to put a gap on the home side and secure the win. Georgia Garlick (28 disposals, six marks and seven tackles), Lacey Nihill (26 disposals, six marks and five tackles) and Sage Dennis (24 disposals, six marks and six tackles) were all huge, while Issy Boulton did the damage up forward with 3.2 from 27 disposals and eight tackles.

DRAFT PROSPECTS

NATIONAL DRAFT COMBINE

Lacey Nihill (Sandhurst)
Utility | 172cm | 01/05/2008

Stats [11 games]: 25.8 disposals, 4.6 marks, 7.0 tackles, 2.8 clearances, 4.2 inside 50s, 3.8 rebound 50s, 3 goals

Surprisingly left out of the Under 17 Futures squad at the end of last season, Nihill was able to go to another level in 2026, taking her promising signs from 2025 into a big top-age season. The Sandhurst prospect’s versatility is as much of a highlight as anything else, but her speed-endurance mix, willingness to take on the game and bring others into it really caught the eye. Has areas to iron out with her finishing, but it improved through the season, and hard to fault her in just about any role thanks to her impact both offensively and defensively.

STATE DRAFT COMBINE

Georgia Garlick (Sandhurst)
Defender | 170cm | 01/07/2008

Stats [12 games]: 21.0 disposals, 3.1 marks, 7.5 tackles, 1.8 clearances, 1.6 inside 50s, 3.8 rebound 50s, 3 goals

The damaging left-footer is one who, if given any time or space, can inflict some serious headaches on the opposition coaches. Always vocal out on the field, Garlick is an aggressive tackler as well, had stints through the middle and up forward, but was best utilised as a running half-back who loved to pierce kicks downfield. She is left-side dominant and goes for the high-risk, high-reward passes, but when they pay off, they are really noticeable. A stack of tackles for a natural ball-winner.

Beth Morris (Moama)
Midfielder | 167cm | 04/09/2008

Stats [12 games]: 24.7 disposals, 4.3 marks, 6.2 tackles, 3.8 clearances, 2.7 inside 50s, 2.4 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Morris wanted to expand her versatility outside the coalface in 2026, and she did that spending some time off half-back and even up forward. She kicked her first Talent League Girls goal, finishing with 38 games across three seasons, and while it was ultimately discovered that the inside midfield is her best position by far, she has the defensive traits to apply pressure wherever she play. Rolled both forward and back for Vic Country as well at times.

FUTURE PROSPECTS

Leading the way into next year is newest Pioneers’ best and fairest winner Sage Dennis who hits hard and like many of her teammates, can be deployed in a number of roles. Expect the 2025 Vic Country Under 16s talent to hold the keys to the midfield in 2027, and be a key player for the Pioneers. Alongside Dennis, Jordan O’Bree has found a home on a wing, likewise Mia Clark who has played the ‘Nihill’ style of just about any position. Throw in Dempsey McDonnell who is a defender/midfielder and they have a nice core for the future.

Then looking across to 2010, and Vic Country MVP Harper Delamare leads the way. She impressed for the Under 16s this season and while naturally a running defender, got midfield minutes in anticipation for what 2027 might hold. Charli Conway and Meg Young both played five games as double bottom-agers this season.