Jayda Richardson, Lexi Gregor and Madison Elliott have all featured in at least one of the Pioneers’ opening two games.
The club has a record of one win and one loss in the opening three rounds after the second weekend of fixtured games was cancelled due to Victoria’s snap five-day lockdown.
O’Bree said the group was continuing to build in confidence every week despite going down to Geelong by 43 points at the weekend.
“It’s just great to have footy back and seeing the girls have a smile on their face,” he said.
“We came up against a more skilful, older side who were well drilled.
“They left us a little shell-shocked, certainly in the first half of football.
“To the girls’ credit they never dropped their heads and as the game progressed continued to learn and better understand the level they want and need to aspire to.”
Richardson was arguably the most impressive of the trio having produced a best-on-ground display in the opening round with two goals.
“Jayda is a very talented player who is learning all the time,” O’Bree said.
“We like to try and get her around the football because she has the ability to break the game open.
“I’m excited to see where she could end up by the end of the season.”
While Elliott is yet to hit the scoreboard – primarily playing as a forward – O’Bree said there was more to her game than just goals.
“I really like Madison’s forward craft,” he said.
“She has all the abilities of a natural in that position with the way she leads up at the footy.
“We’ve been giving her some time in the middle of the ground as well, so she is very much learning two positions at once.
“But we’ve been really pleased with her development from the start of pre-season.”
For Gregor, the start of the NAB League season has been a rollercoaster one.
She made her Pioneers debut in round one and was set to play in round two.
A prior commitment to basketball meant she missed the round three clash with the Geelong Falcons and Gregor has since suffered a rolled ankle.
“Lexi came to us at a bring a friend day,” O’Bree said.
“We knew a little bit about her, but she has come on in leaps and bounds. It’s disappointing she won’t play this week but we’re looking forward to having her back.”
The Pioneers return to action at Epsom Huntly Reserve on Saturday against the high-flying Calder Cannons.
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