Alexis Gregor (centre) played for the under-23 All Stars against the AFLW Academy in June. She will represent Victoria Country at the under-18 National Championships Photos: Bendigo Pioneers
From a first senior selection all the way to the big leagues, it’s always a special moment for an athlete to earn a call-up to a new tier of their sport.
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That has been the case for several local footballers in the past few weeks, who made or have been selected to make their debut in a new grade.
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Moama’s Alexis Gregor was named in the 28-woman squad to represent Victoria Country at the 2024 Marsh AFL National Championships under-18 girls.
Gregor has earned her place among the best under-18s in Victoria after strong performances in the Coates Talent League Girls, where she co-captains Bendigo Pioneers.
As a target for the Pioneers, Gregor has kicked eight goals this season and has been named in her side’s best on three occasions.
Gregor also competed last month for the under-23 All Stars against the AFLW Academy, where she kicked one of two goals for her side in the contest.
Her campaign in the National Championships with Vic Country begins this Sunday, when the side matches up against Queensland at Brighton Homes Arena in Ipswich.
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Liam Gronow made his Bendigo Pioneers debut in a one-point loss to Dandenong Stingrays on June 22.
On June 22, Echuca prospects Liam Gronow and Darby Jones made their first appearances for Bendigo Pioneers against Dandenong Stingrays.
Jones was named in the pocket and kicked two goals for the Pioneers, the second most outside of team regular, Moama’s Jobe Shanahan, who led the side with five majors.
Darby Jones kicked two goals on debut for the Bendigo Pioneers on June 22.
Gronow started at half-forward and made a good account of himself as the Pioneers went down by a single point 14.11 (95) to 14.12 (96).
The Pioneers travel to Mildura on Sunday to face the GWV Rebels.
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Thomas Naujok (second from right) was selected for the GWS Giants under-16 development team.
Moama’s Thomas Naujok, a member of the Pioneers’ under-16 program was selected to compete for the GWS Giants in the AFL National Development Championships under-16.
Naujok’s Giants played their first game of the competition on June 29 against the Sydney Swans development squad, going down 7.11 (53) to 10.9 (69).
The Giants' next game is on Monday at People’s First Stadium on the Gold Coast where they will take on the Suns.
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