Pioneers confirm debuts

BENDIGO Pioneers coach Brett Henderson has confirmed the upcoming debuts of two exciting football talents from Swan Hill.

Nyah Nyah West star Brent Daniels joins the Pioneers line-up for tomorrow's Round 14 clash with the Western Jets at Epsom, while Paddy Dow will play against the Eastern Ranges on August 15, after his season commitments with Geelong Grammar School have concluded.

Exciting Tyntynder goal kicker Kayle Kirby has also been added to the Pioneers' list.

Daniels and Dow — who recently competed at the Under 16s nationals on the Gold Coast — will likely play out 2015 with Bendigo, as the 15th-placed Pioneers strive to improve their 1-11 TAC Cup season record.

They join Swan Hill's Xavia Elford and Balranald's Laine Fitzgerald as the Central Murray Football Netball League's contribution to some of the most exciting talent the broader Bendigo and northern Victoria region has to offer.

Henderson said the Pioneers were excited to have a significant contribution from the CMFNL region, as they strive to prepare the region's best young talent for a potential career in the AFL.

"It's great to have the talent coming out of Swan Hill," he said.

Speaking to The Guardian on Wednesday, Henderson said the Bendigo's current standing in the TAC Cup was not reflective of the development of its players.

"We're developing some really good young players and our win-loss ratio doesn't reflect that progress at the moment," he said.

"We're building nicely to be competitive."