THE NAB football league season came to an end for the Bendigo Pioneers on August 24, with the side falling in a wildcard clash with Northern Knights.
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With a 5-10 record, it was the Pioneers best season of this decade, and while they didn't figure in the finals series, the development of their young players meant 2019 was a major success for the club.
"It was a great season for us," Pioneers talent manager Steve Sharp said.
"We had seven players invited to the different combines, we had our third highest percentage on the ladder of the program, so it shows we have been able to add another dimension to our game.
"We made it through to the wildcard, and while we were beaten by the better team on the day, we were really excited to have made it."
Sharp said there was a lot to like about Echuca's Pioneers exports.
Brodie Kemp: 3 games, 2 goals
"Brodie was obviously named to the All-Australian team out of the national carnival, and played a fair bit of rep footy to go with his school footy.
"Obviously he had the horrible leg injury late in the season when he ruptured his ACL. While it ended his season, it won't have a long term impact on his prospects of being drafted.
"Club's aren't looking for a player who is going to be ready made as a 19-year-old in their first year at AFL level, Sam Walsh (2019 AFL Rising Star from Carlton) is the exception, not the rule.
"They will be looking for a player who is going to be an asset for them for the next ten years, they won't be deterred by a player who won't be able to play in his draft year, they will look at what he has to offer them in the long term, so you can expect Brodie to still be a high pick.
"He has a lot of versatility as a player, he can offer a team a lot by being able to play in multiple positions on the ground and that's something a lot of recruiters are looking for."
Jack Evans: 11 games, 3 goals
"Jack had a really good year in his 11 games, finished off the season really strong.
"He had a great game in the wildcard match to finish off the season, and then he obviously continued his form in his return to Echuca.
"We heard all about his performance in the first final for his club, kicking six in the last quarter of a game is obviously an outstanding effort, it bodes really well for him as a player."
Joe Guiney: 3 games, 0 goals
"Joe is an emerging key position talent. He's quite a versatile player, he can get it done at both ends of the ground.
"We didn't get to see a lot of Joe at the Pioneers level this year, but we think he is going to be a really good player in coming years, so we look forward to getting a bit more playing time for him this year as a top ager."
Matt Lias: 6 games, 2 goals
"Matt had an issue with concussion during the season and missed a bit of time with us.
"He went back and played a bit of club football, but broke back into the Pioneers setup by the end of the season and finished the year off really strongly. Overall we were really happy with what he gave to the team, we think he had a pretty good season."
Riley Clarke: 12 games, 6 goals
"Riley was terrific this year, he finished the season off brilliantly and was probably in our top two players in the final game of the year.
"He's got a lot of really solid attributes as a player, so we are looking forward to having a talk with him about what his options are going to be in 2020, whether that is going to be at VFL level or in some other way.
"He has got a lot of upside about him, he's massively improved on his defensive game, he has fantastic leg speed and decision making, he has an elite kick, so you just don't know where he could go.
"Maybe with a year or two in the VFL system he might be able to take the next step."
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