Sport

NAB League | Pioneers fall to the Rebels in round one

By Josh Huntly

Apr 5, 2022

Moved around: Corbin Anderson was named in the best for the Pioneers in round one. Photo: Steve Huntley. Photo by steve Huntley

Bendigo Pioneers opened their NAB League season with a loss to Greater Western Rebels in a frenetic contest at Queen Elizabeth Oval on Saturday.

Bendigo and the Rebels were evenly matched for most of the game, but the Rebels’ fast-finishing five-goal-to-one final quarter saw the Pioneers go down by 31 points to kick off the 2022 campaign.

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Jason Gilbee booted two goals and Tongala prodigy Harley Reid snagged one in an electric showing from the duo down forward, with 14 shots on goal between the two livewires.

Pioneers coach Danny O’Bree said the match was played at a good standard but indicated converting opportunities on goal would be the focus as the Pioneers looked ahead to Geelong Falcons this Saturday.

“Harley Reid was really serviceable,” O’Bree said.

“He kicked 1.6 for the day and about eight shots on goal.

“Those two kids had 14 shots on goal and kicked three. Generally, we’re a bit more efficient around goals and if opportunities had gone through it probably would have been a different result.”

Reid, the Pioneers’ 2021 Rising Star, is into his second season at the club, and O’Bree said the star youngster would have opportunities to add to his skillset in 2022.

“We had him deep forward, half-forward, on ball, and we’re just allowing him to have a bit of a taste of everything,” O’Bree said.

“He’s a really good contested player and he’s really smart in front of goals. I think at times he’ll probably also find himself down the backline.

“We think he can just enjoy his year as a bottom-ager and learn how to be a versatile player.”

The GVL also saw a pair of its young stars named in the best players.

Echuca’s Corbin Anderson experienced a change of position and O’Bree was impressed by the Murray Bomber’s presentation by foot.

“He had a new role on the weekend, playing as a small back,” he said.

“He generally plays on a wing and sometimes forward/mid, but we gave him a new role and I thought he played quite well.

“As the game went on, he got into his groove a bit. His kicking was a highlight.”

At the other end of the ground, Kyabram’s Charlie Barnett also rated a mention among the best with two goals of his own.

The under-16 Pioneers experienced a similar fourth quarter lapse in the side’s defeat to Greater Western Victoria.

Leading by a goal heading into the final stanza against the Rebels, the Pioneers were held scoreless as the Rebels skipped away to a 24-point victory.

In the action: Moama’s Lachlan Hogan was named in the best for the Pioneers’ under-16 clash against Greater Western Victoria. Photo: Steve Huntley Photo by Steve Huntley

Leitchville-Gunbower’s James Barrat built on his seven-goal haul in the team’s practice match with two against the Rebels, while Moama’s Lachlan Hogan was named in the best players for his star showing.

Bendigo faces Geelong at Deakin University on Saturday, April 9.