Adelaide Footy League Division Five’s top 30 players of 2023 ranked
Division five of the Adelaide Footy League is packed with top local talent so we’ve ranked the competition’s top 30 players of 2023. See who made the cut.
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Division five of the Adelaide Footy League has its fair share of local SA talent and it has been on show yet again in season 2023.
Based on this season’s form and with the help of league insiders, we’ve picked the division’s top 30 players of the year.
League leader Gepps Cross was well-represented with seven players, while Kilburn had six players named.
Here are our rankings from 30 to 1.
30. ANTHONY BURGOYNE
(Gepps Cross)
A consistent goalkicker through a number of years in the Adelaide Footy League, Burgoyne has been a standout for Gepps Cross since arriving from Eastern Park.
A smart and crafty forward, Burgoyne takes strong marks and either sets up teammates with slick disposal or finishes for himself.
Has 27 majors in 12 games.
29. ROBERT KOVACIC
(Eastern Park)
The former Angle Vale gun has been strong again this season, building on his impressive return to the Demons last year.
A tireless player across the forwardline who competes well for the footy, Kovacic can boot goals from anywhere around the forward 50 and can also hit his teammates with precision.
Has 32 goals and seven best player nods in 14 games.
28. DYLAN GAYLARD
(Woodville South)
Woodville South’s top player this season.
Gaylard is an efficient user of the ball, hitting targets along the flanks and providing strong run and carry.
Has 10 best player nods and two goals in 14 games.
27. GRAHAM HAMPTON
(Gepps Cross)
One of the competition’s top goalkickers.
Hampton has been a strong target forward for the Rams this season, hitting the contest hard in the air and at ground level and finishing well in front of the big sticks.
Has 35 majors and two best player mentions in 15 games.
26. CAMERON HANKINSON
(Trinity OS)
Hankinson has been a star for Trinity OS yet again this season.
A versatile player who can slot in through the midfield or provide security behind the ball, Hankinson is an excellent user of the footy.
Has nine best player mentions and a goal in 13 games.
25. JACK TAPE
(Colonel Light Gardens)
Arriving from the Southern Eagles in the Yorke Peninsula, Tape has produced strong footy at the back and on the ball.
A consistent ball-winner who can find teammates efficiently by hand or foot.
Tape has nine best player nods and a goal in 15 games.
24. BEN WILES
(Kilburn)
Arriving from Salisbury North last season, Wiles has been a big addition for Kilburn.
Slotting in seamlessly up front and also showing promise on the ball, Wiles is a hard competitor who always finds the footy and creates space for his side.
Has 19 goals and four best player mentions in 12 games.
23. JOSEPH TAHANA
(Gepps Cross)
A consistent player through a number of years with Gepps Cross, Tahana has been important for the Rams yet again.
Tahana is a strong utility who can set up his mids with ease or move up front to compete in the air and boot goals.
Has six goals and four best player appearances in his 15 games.
22. MATT RAMSEY
(Colonel Light Gardens)
The former Adelaide Plains FL player has been a major part of the Colonel Light Gardens line-up this season.
A versatile player who has been a bull in the contest and has also produced in front of goal.
Has six best player nods and 14 goals in 10 games for the Lions.
21. MORGAN SUMNER
(Elizabeth)
One of the most improved players in the division this season, Sumner has been a dominant player for Elizabeth after a solid 2022.
Adept behind the ball and effective in the contest, Sumner is a smooth mover who uses the footy well to open up play for his teammates.
Has 10 best player nods and three goals in 15 games.
20. MATT SAWILSKI
(Gepps Cross)
A strong player who impacts the game in a number of ways.
Sawilski has been one of Gepps Cross’ most consistent performers, dominating in the air and around the ground with excellent ball use and the ability to find teammates while under duress.
Has five goals and seven best player mentions in 15 games.
19. GIUSEPPE VELLOTTI
(Blackfriars OS)
A standout up front and through the middle.
Vellotti is a hard working player who can win the footy in the air or at ground level and release teammates with quick disposal or hit the scoreboard.
Has 22 goals and eight best player mentions in 13 games.
18. SCOTT GALBRAITH
(Kilburn)
One of Kilburn’s most consistent performers this year.
A ball magnet in the middle who provides strong run, damaging disposal and the ability to hit the scoreboard, Galbraith has been close to his best this season.
The former club best and fairest and premiership player has nine best player nods and 16 goals in 15 games.
17. TYRONE MILERA
(West Croydon)
Arriving from Kapunda in the pre-season, Milera has proved to be a big addition for the Hawks.
A hard worker in the contest, Milera provides a strong presence on the ball, laying a number of big tackles and distributing efficiently.
Has seven best player mentions and six goals in 11 games.
16. PETER DRIEDRICHSEN
(Eastern Park)
A consistent and impactful veteran for Eastern Park, Driedrichsen has put together a strong year so far.
Often providing security behind the ball or performing as a hard running mid, Driedrichsen’s ability to win the footy and deal to teammates efficiently makes him a standout in the division.
Has 11 best player nods and four goals in 15 games.
15. DOM BARILLA
(Trinity OS)
A dominant forward in division six last season, Barilla has been a standout yet again for Trinity OS in season 2023.
Strong on the lead, Barilla takes strong contested marks and either creates for others or finishes well in front of goal.
Has 32 majors and seven best player nods in 15 games.
14. KURTIS PHILLIPS
(West Croydon)
A gun in the contest for West Croydon.
Phillips is a hard runner who covers ground as well as anyone in the competition and makes good decisions under pressure.
Has nine best player appearances and two goals in 14 games.
13. NICK PEARCE
(Kilburn)
A standout ruck in division four, Pearce has produced some excellent footy for the Chics this season.
A dominant ruck who sets up play for midfielders with brilliant tap-work and also takes a number of big grabs each week.
Has nine best player nods through 13 games.
12. NICK WORRALL
(Pulteney)
The former Pembroke OS gun has been a dominant performer for Pulteney.
Worrall is a strong and athletic onballer who has no issue doing the dirty work for his side and can also impact the game up front with brilliant awareness around goal.
Has 10 best player nods and 15 goals in his 12 games so far.
11. MATT BRINCAT
(Blackfriars OS)
Blackfriars OS champion Brincat has been one of the top players in the division yet again in season 2023.
The star leader can will his team to results out of the middle, dominating in the air and using the ball well to release teammates.
He can also move up the ground to hit the scoreboard with 14 goals to his name to go with 10 best player nods in 15 games.
10. CAMERON MATTERS
(Trinity OS)
Trinity’s best player this season, Matters has been key to his side’s success after an undefeated 2022.
A ball magnet who also produces strong footy up front each week, Matters’ ability to take big grabs, win ground balls and either set up teammates or finish for goal makes him one of the division’s best.
Has 25 majors and 11 best player mentions in 14 games.
9. JAYDEN DAVISON
(Kilburn)
Davison has been one of Kilburn’s best yet again this season after an impressive 2022 campaign for the club.
A tireless midfielder who wins important possessions in the contests for his side and also hits the scoreboard consistently, the former North Adelaide player is a reliable distributor and one of the hardest in the competition to stop.
Has 13 best player nods and 13 goals in 14 games.
8. ROBBIE YOUNG
(Gepps Cross)
The former St Kilda and North Adelaide player has been one of the Rams’ best since arriving from Tailem Bend in the River Murray FL.
One of the most skilled players in the division, Young can impact the game through the middle as a hardworking and efficient user of the footy, or move up front to poach goals.
Has 12 majors and five best player nods in 12 games.
7. STIRLING PHIPPS-PARSONS
(Colonel Light Gardens)
Colonel Light Gardens’ top player this year, Phipps-Parsons has been a terror for opposition through the middle and up front.
A strong and athletic player, Phipps-Parsons wins plenty of his own footy and provides consistent run and carry for the Lions.
Has 18 goals and 11 best player appearances in his 13 games so far.
6. JOSH GIDDINGS
(Pulteney)
A former League player with South Adelaide, Giddings has been Pulteney’s standout this season.
Giddings is a versatile and imposing player who can fill a number of roles for his side, whether it is in the contest, behind the ball or up front.
One of the most reliable users in the division, Giddings has eight best player nods and four goals through 14 games.
5. DION DOOLAN
(West Croydon)
One of the division’s most prolific goalkickers, Doolan has been West Croydon’s most impactful player in season 2023.
An athletic forward who uses his jumping ability and pace to damage opposition defences, Doolan boasts a safe set of hands and can boot goals from anywhere.
Has 45 majors and five best player nods in 13 games.
4. COREY SOLLY
(Kilburn)
An imposing key position player who can impact the game at both ends, Solly has been one of Kilburn’s best since joining from Gaza.
Often winning multiple aerial battles a game and also boasting clean skills below his knees, Solly can stand some of the division’s best forwards on occasion but has been most effective as a smart and strong key forward, leading well to take big grabs and boot goals.
Has 46 goals to lead the division as well as six best player mentions in 13 games.
3. DANIEL MASON
(Gepps Cross)
The reigning division five medallist has been a dominant performer for the Rams yet again this year and is a major reason for his side’s undefeated season so far.
A tireless onballer who hits the contest hard, applies elite tackle pressure and can set up teammates with pinpoint disposal, Mason is one of the hardest players to stop in the competition.
Has 10 best player nods and four goals in 15 games.
2. RHYS O’KEEFFE
(Kilburn)
A former Carlton AFL player and Glenelg gun, O’Keeffe has been a force for Kilburn through season 2023 so far.
O’Keeffe is a versatile weapon who can slot in behind the ball and lock down forwards with strong aerial and ground ball ability, or dominate through the contest and up front as a reliable shot for goal.
Has six best player mentions through his 11 games for the Chics to go along with 24 majors.
1. DOM BARRY
(Gepps Cross)
The former Norwood SANFL League gun and Port Adelaide and Melbourne AFL player has been at his best for Gepps Cross this season, dominating each game through the middle and across the forwardline.
Arguably the most skilled and athletic player in the division, Barry consistently wins contested footy and explodes from congestion to either set up teammates with efficient disposal or kick impressive goals.
Has 11 best player nods and 33 majors through 13 games so far this season.
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