Sport
2 April, 2026
Talented trifecta earn Bendigo Pioneers spots
Emerging local footballers Ava Bartlett, Rhani Evans and Campbell Wood have been recognised for their promising potential, earning selection to the prestigious Bendigo Pioneers.
The talented trio was among the region’s elite picked to represent the Pioneers, previously a proving ground for multiple AFL superstars like Dustin Martin, Ollie Wines, Joel Selwood, Nick Dal Santo and Jake Stringer.
The Pioneers are a part of the Coates Talent League, Australia’s premier underage football pathway competition.
A former under 14 and under 16 Bendigo Junior Football League best and fairest for the Maryborough Magpies, Wood was selected for Bendigo’s under 16 boys team in 2024 before making four appearances with the under 18s last season.
Alongside his representative duties, Wood broke into South Bendigo’s senior team of the Bendigo Football Netball League following exceptional performances with the Bloods under 18 squad, named among the best players in 10 of his 12 games played at junior level.
While the Pioneers have commenced their under 18 boys season with a win over the Tasmania Devils and a draw against the Murray Bushrangers, Wood has been unable to suit up in either contest due to a broken foot.
Following years of learning experiences in the Pioneers system, Wood said he’s determined to hit the ground running this season once fully fit.
“I feel proud to be a part of Pioneers. It’s good to represent our town,” he said.
“It was good to see the level of training and games and how fast it is as a bottom-ager and then this year, I’m just trying to do the best I can as a top-ager.
“I’m currently injured, so I’m just trying to get back up and running again. I just love playing footy wherever it is, that’s all I want to do.”
Similar to Wood, Evans also has a highly decorated junior resume with previous experience at the Coates Talent League level.
After earning selection to the Ballarat Football League Women’s (BFLW) under 16s Team of the Year in 2023, the Carisbrook Lady Redbacks product impressed for the Pioneers at under 16 level in 2024.
Evans also represented the BFLW at the interleague level that season before a serious injury forced her to miss all of 2025.
Despite the major setback, Evans has been selected for Bendigo’s under 18 team, who open their season next Sunday against the Gippsland Power.
As she quickly assimilates with the Pioneers squad, Evans said she hasn’t set any expectations for herself as of yet.
“I’ve made lots of new friends over there and even if you are from a little town where you don’t really know many people, you make connections and you feel a sense of belonging when you’re over there,” she said.
“I think it’s just see how I go for the first couple of games, see if I get selected and then hopefully try and make the Vic Country squad.”
While Evans has made a name for herself with the Lady Redbacks, Bartlett has forged her path predominantly playing against boys in Carisbrook’s MCDFNL junior teams.
Over the past three seasons, Bartlett has been a key cornerstone in the Redbacks under 14.5 premiership three-peat.
Alongside her third premiership medal and stellar goal-kicking record for Carisbrook, Bartlett was also chosen to represent the MCDFNL under 14.5 squad last season, named among the best players in the team’s victory over Horsham.
Bartlett was picked for the under 16 girls squad, an introductory team to the pathway competition that played games in February and March and assists in the selection process for the AFL National Development Under 16 Championships.
Successfully achieving her first taste at the Pioneers level, Bartlett said she’s motivated to earn further selections in the near future.
“It felt good to be selected, I’m really enjoying being a part of the Pioneers,” she said.
“I just want to keep pushing and try to get to next year’s selection.”