With up to seven front-line Pioneers out of action, including captain Harley Reid, a poor first quarter at Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo proved costly as the Falcons kept the Pioneers at arm’s length to record a 10.10 (70) to 8.10 (58) win.
“It was a bit of licorice allsorts,” Pioneers coach Danny O’Bree said.
“We couldn’t have had a worse first quarter, but as poorly as we played we still had some really good ball movement.
“We had good 10-minute periods, and that’s how we stayed in the game. It took us a bit to get back into the swing of Talent League football.”
Echuca United’s Oliver Poole stood up once again for Bendigo, earning his fourth nomination in the best players bracket in five games, as the midfielder’s consistent season continued.
Poole was one of eight goal-kickers for the Pioneers, while Moama’s Jobe Shanahan was also a solid performer in defeat.
Meanwhile, the Pies saw one of their own make a debut, as Youth Girls player Ella Plattfuss made the jump to the top-age Talent League.
But the Pios found the going tough against the Falcons, falling to a 91-point loss.
The game
Score
Bendigo Pioneers 8.10 (58) lt Geelong Falcons 10.10 (70)
Bendigo goals: Hugh Byrne, Oliver Poole, Xavier Carter, Archer Day-Wicks, Taj McMillan, Eli Pearce, Harrison Sheahan
Bendigo best: Archer Day-Wicks, Oliver Poole, Dayten Uerata, Jobe Shanahan, Brodie Jones, William Burke
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