With AFL star and former Bendigo Pioneer player Joel Selwood watching on, Bendigo started well with Jordan Williams kicking the first goal of the clash.

Adam Clymo was on target from beyond the 50m arc.

The Northern Knights responded, with Zaharakis leading the way, to gain a four point lead by quarter-time.

At the break, Pioneers coach Mark Ellis urged the team to work harder defensively.

Inaccuracy cost Bendigo in the second.

The Pioneers added just two goals from eight shots.

Northern led by six points at half-time.

The Knights dominated the early stages of the third term before the momentum swung the Pioneers’ way.

Goals from Andrew Richardson and Rhys Healey put the Pioneers back in front.

Josh McKee climbed high for a spectacular mark in the goalsquare and goaled for Bendigo to lead by eight points.

Northern struck back and scored the next three goals.

The fourth quarter was mostly one-way traffic.

The Knights dominated on the way to a 30-point victory.

David Zaharakis and Jake Walsh were influential up forward and scored nine of the Knights’ 17 goals.

After the match, Ellis said: "We played some good footy and matched Northern for three quarters.

"We failed to play well enough, to put any pressure on the opposition in the final term."

Better players for the Pioneers included Shane Page, Torin Petrie, James Watt, Lee Coghlan, Healey and Richardson.

Calivil’s Matt Smith and Irymple’s Sam Mason also played well on debut. Next Saturday the Pioneers will travel to Shepparton, to play the Murray Bushrangers.

The Pioneers face a huge task against the ladder leaders.

Next Saturday’s match will start at 1pm.