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Bombers trio called up
30 Nov, 2010 04:00 AM - Bendigo Advertiser

Three of the Bendigo Bombers’ best young players in 2010 have been invited to train with the Essendon Football Club.
Ben Duscher, Pierce Liddle and Trent Shinners started training with Essendon yesterday.

Bendigo’s general manager, Peter Lodewijks said the invitation provided more evidence of the value of the Bendigo development program and the opportunities it gave young players who aspired to play at the highest level they could.

“Ben, Pierce and Trent all had a really good season in 2010,” Lodewijks said.

“Ben’s a perfect example of the pathway that we’re continuing to develop.

“He started the season with Sandhurst in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football League and played really well.”

A premiership-winning player with Rochester and a graduate of the Bendigo Pioneers under-18 program, Duscher played his first VFL senior match against Frankston in the 11th round.

“Ben had a real impact in his first match, kicked a couple of very good goals and from then on he became an automatic selection for the remainder of the season,” Lodewijks said of Duscher’s play in the Shannon Grant-coached Bendigo Bombers team.

“His hard work has paid off and he’s got a great opportunity to demonstrate his ability and playing style to Essendon’s coaching panel.”

A new-look coaching panel at Essendon is led by 2000 premiership captain James Hird.

“Trent is another of our Bendigo- listed players who consistently displayed good form throughout the season.

“He was an integral part of our defence and played a lot of games at centre half-back or full-back.

“Pierce played a lot of the season around the forward line and provided a handy avenue to goal.”

“He showed that he’s got the ability to make his presence felt in attack and he was another of our Bendigo-listed players who didn’t disappoint us during the season.”

“We’re very pleased that Essendon’s showing interest in them because this is a very important step in their football careers.”

“The entire club is right behind them and there’s a lot of interest in their progress from here on.”