Adelaide Footy League division one’s top 50 players of 2023 ranked
Division one of the Adelaide Footy League is packed with elite local talent so we’ve ranked the top 50 players for 2023. See who made the cut.
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The Adelaide Footy League’s top division has long been a competition filled with some of SA’s top footballing talent and season 2023 has been no exception.
With a number of big names joining countless star players in the pre-season, the division has produced some of the best football in its history this year.
Based on this season’s form, we’ve ranked division one’s top 50 players.
League leader Prince Alfred OC had nine players listed, while second spot Glenunga (eight) and reigning premier Port District (seven) were also well-represented.
Players with only five appearances or less were ruled ineligible.
Here are our rankings from no. 50 to 1.
50. JAKE TARCA
(Brighton)
Arriving from Encounter Bay in the Great Southern FL last pre-season, the former Geelong player has been a boost for Brighton.
Tarca is a strong and athletic forward with elite hand and foot skills and can boot a goal from anywhere.
Has 14 goals and two best player nods through just six games.
49. LOU WHITELOCK
(Goodwood)
The star Goodwood veteran has remained an important part of his side as it continues to build into the latter part of the season.
Whitelock holds the backline down with strong leadership and a tough play style and will be important as the Saints fight to finish the year on a run.
48. JAYDEN DAVIS
(Prince Alfred OC)
Currently the top goalkicker in division one, Davis has been huge for PAOC since arriving from Glenelg.
A strong target with a safe set of hands, Davis can boot goals from anywhere in and around the forward 50.
Has 36 goals and two best player performances in 13 games.
47. WILL FERRARI
(Old Ignatians)
Ferrari has been the main standout for Old Ignatians during what has been a testing season so far for the club.
A bull in the contest who can also cover ground and boot important goals, Ferrari has eight majors and six best player mentions in 13 games.
46. CAM RANKIN
(Sacred Heart OC)
A reliable onballer for SHOC, Rankin has been an important part of his team’s makeup again this year.
Often an x-factor in the middle with his competitiveness in the contest and his ability to find teammates in space.
Has three best player mentions and six goals in 12 games.
45. SAM PARSONS
(Glenunga)
A versatile player who can play up front or behind the ball, Parsons has been one of Glenunga’s best again this season.
Parsons is an athletic player with great hand skills and the ability to cut opposition teams up with pinpoint disposal.
Has five best player nods and a goal in 12 games.
44. SAM DANIELE
(Broadview)
Daniele has been an important player for Broadview this season after arriving from Athelstone in division two.
A hardworking midfielder who disposes of the ball efficiently and runs all day.
Has six best player nods and four goals in 12 games.
43. KENNY KARPANY
(Port District)
A new signing for Port District this season, Karpany has had a major impact since arriving from West Adelaide.
Karpany is an explosive and highly skilled forward who applies relentless pressure to defenders and finishes well in front of goal.
Has 12 majors and four best player appearances in 13 game.
42. BLAKE PENNEY
(Tea Tree Gully)
TTG’s star ruckman, Penney has led by example for his side this season.
A skilled big man who hits mids with great tap-work and can also take big marks.
Has six best player mentions and two goals through 13 games.
41. JASON NYSKOHUS
(Port District)
A key part of the Magpies’ premiership run in 2022, Nyskohus has again been influential this year.
A reliable player on the ball who can also move up front or along the flanks, Nyskohus is one of his side’s best distributors.
Has three goals and three best player performances in 12 games.
40. COOPER O’LEARY
(Broadview)
A rising young star for Broadview, O’Leary’s ability to impact the game on the ball or along the wing has been important for the Tigers.
The younger brother of club captain Jay O’Leary, Cooper is a great user of the ball and can also burn opponents with pace.
Has four best player nods and six goals in his 13 games.
39. WILL CANSDELL
(Tea Tree Gully)
A standout in the contest for the Gullies this year, Cansdell has emerged as one of the division’s top players.
Cansdell is a skilled mid who can win his own ball and find teammates with efficient disposal and also move up the ground to hit the scoreboard.
Has 11 goals and six best player nods through 13 games.
38. TYSON BRAZEL
(Prince Alfred OC)
Returning to PAOC from North Adelaide this season, Brazel has proved to be a big boost for his club.
Second in the division’s goals leaderboard to teammate Jayden Davis, Brazel has been a reliable target inside 50 for the Old Reds, booting goals from anywhere.
Has 34 majors and a best player nod in nine games.
37. MICHAEL MCMAHON
(Glenunga)
A force for Glenunga last season, McMahon has been a valuable player for the Rams once again.
One of the league’s most versatile players, McMahon can play up front, behind the ball or through the middle if needed.
Has tallied 18 goals in his 13 games so far.
36. CHAD SCHOENMAKERS
(Tea Tree Gully)
A long-time star for TTG, Schoenmakers has been one of his side’s standouts in season 2023.
Schoenmakers is a hardworking player in the contest who loves doing the dirty work for the Gullies and distributes to teammates with ease under pressure.
Has six best player nods and a goal in 12 games.
35. NICK WUNDKE
(Glenunga)
Wundke has been a versatile and important player for Glenunga this season.
Able to play anywhere on the park, Wundke often slots in at half forward and through the middle, using his physical tools and ability with ball in hand to damage the opposition.
Has five goals and five best player appearances in 10 games.
34. RYAN SPITTLE
(Tea Tree Gully)
A member of last season’s team of the year, Spittle remains one of the most exciting players in division one.
Spittle has been a dangerous small forward for Gullies, boasting the ability to kick goals on either side of his body and also apply strong pressure to defenders without the ball.
Has 11 goals and five best player nods in 10 games.
33. JONNIE READ
(St Peter’s OC)
While 2023 has proved to be a challenging season for St Peter’s OC so far, Read’s performance as a star defender has been one of the big positives.
A strong player who competes tirelessly in the air and at ground level, Read is highly skilled out of the backline and can hit any teammate with clean disposal.
Has seven best player nods in 12 games.
32. MACKENZIE SLEE
(Prince Alfred OC)
A consistent standout for the Old Reds, Slee has been one of his side’s most productive players in 2023.
Slee has been strong in the contest and an important presence around the ground for PAOC, often winning key possessions.
Has six best player mentions through his 13 games this year.
31. ALEX HAREN
(Glenunga)
Glenunga’s captain has missed parts of the season through injury but has been one of his side’s best since his return.
A dominant onballer and tackling machine who hits the contest hard and wins plenty of the footy for his side.
Has three best player nods and a goal through nine games so far.
30. OTIS CARTHY
(Brighton)
Brighton’s inspirational leader, Carthy has been a standout for the Bombers yet again this year.
Carthy has produced starring displays in the middle and off of the backline this season, hitting the contest with aggression and disposing with efficiency.
Has six best player nods and a goal in nine games.
29. CLAYTON SYMONDS
(Sacred Heart OC)
Symonds’ work on the ball and in front of goal has been paramount to the club’s form this year.
A skilful user of the footy, Symonds is comfortable distributing or finishing on either side of his body.
The Hearts captain has 10 goals and three best player nods in 12 games.
28. TOM GRAY
(Port District)
Joining Port District with his brother Sam before last season, Tom Gray has been a huge part of his club’s success through the last two years.
A skilled forward and midfielder who is clean off the deck and can create for his teammates with efficient disposal.
Gray has two best player performances in his 10 games as well as 18 goals.
27. NICK LIDDLE
(Broadview)
Last season’s best on ground in Broadview’s division two grand final win over Sacred Heart OC, Liddle remains a key contributor for the Tigers in 2023.
A tough midfielder who works hard through four quarters each week, Liddle does a lot of the dirty work for his side and often gives the Tigers the upper hand in the contest.
Has three best player performances this year and has kicked two goals.
26. D’ARCY MITCHELL
(Glenunga)
One of many stars at Glenunga this season, Mitchell has continued his strong form for the Rams in 2023.
A tall player with the ability to play key positions at either end of the ground, Mitchell is capable of taking big marks and can also finish in front of goal when needed.
Has five best player mentions and four goals through 13 games so far.
25. LACHY MCNAMARA
(Prince Alfred OC)
The PAOC captain has been highly influential yet again this season, performing in a number of roles.
McNamara can perform either on the wing or through the middle, using his clean skills and nose for goal to damage any opposition.
Has nine goals and six best player nods in his 13 games.
24. JARMAN SIGAL
(Brighton)
One of the standout key defenders in division one, Sigal has built on his strong 2022 to put together a starring season so far in 2023.
Capable of doing a job on any Adelaide Footy League forward and a great distributor off of the backline.
Has five best player nods and a goal through 12 games.
23. JOEL CROSS
(Sacred Heart OC)
Arriving from Kangaroo Island club Western Districts in the pre-season, Cross has brought an expected boost to his new side.
Cross is a skilled and versatile player who can do work in the middle or move up front if needed, often setting his team up with brilliant ball-use.
The dual Magarey Medallist has five goals through his 10 games and should be a key contributor during the tail end of the season.
22. TYLER MARTIN
(Tea Tree Gully)
A member of last season’s division one team of the year, Martin has been dominant as a key back again in 2023.
The former Norwood player can stand any forward in the competition and do a job, battling hard in the air and using the ball well out of defence.
Has six best player performances in his 12 games.
21. TRENT HEFFERNAN
(Port District)
A consistent performer for the Magpies, Heffernan has taken his game to another level so far this season.
A SANFL-experienced player for Port Adelaide and the Crows, Heffernan is a hard worker in the contest who can win his own ball in close and find teammates with precision.
The Port District leader has six best player mentions and 11 goals through his 11 games so far.
20. JADE CLEELAND
(Goodwood)
Arriving from West Adelaide in the pre-season Cleeland has been an important player for Goodwood.
Bringing a big presence to the contest for his side, Cleeland can play in the contest or as a ruck and can also move forward to hit the scoreboard.
Has five best player appearances and 10 goals in 13 games.
19. GAVIN SHEPHARD
(Port District)
An integral part of Port District’s premiership side in 2022, Shephard’s ability to impact the game up front has kept him among the competition’s best this year.
While Shephard has missed a portion of the season, he has hit the ground running since his return in round nine, damaging opposition as a reliable target forward and with efficient disposal.
Has 16 goals and three best player nods in eight games.
18. ALEX MCKAY
(Tea Tree Gully)
One of the most damaging players in division one, McKay has been a standout for the Gullies yet again.
A tireless worker through the midfield who can also get up the ground to boot goals, McKay is a tough and skilled player who leads his side each week.
Has 11 goals and six best player nods in 13 games.
17. SEB KERRISH
(Sacred Heart OC)
A star halfback who can move up and down the flanks as well as anyone, Kerrish has been at his best for SHOC this season.
An explosive player with a damaging leg, Kerrish can intercept attacks and cut opposition up with elite distribution and occasionally hit the scoreboard.
Has seven best player mentions and two goals in 13 games.
16. NIGEL OSBORN
(Brighton)
A force for the Bombers through the middle over a number of years, Osborn has been one of the standouts in division one yet again.
One of the best contested players in close in the competition, Osborn’s ability to win the ball and deal to teammates often makes him a standout for Brighton.
Has seven best player appearances and five goals in 12 games so far.
15. BEAU MCRAE
(Sacred Heart OC)
Joining Hearts after a stint with Glenelg, McRae has been a major boost for the new division one side.
Dominant through the contest with a strong footy IQ and the ability to find teammates while under pressure, McRae has a big tank and can also hit the scoreboard on occasion.
Has eight best player nods and three goals in 12 games.
14. HAYDEN JOLLY
(Prince Alfred OC)
Jolly has been a star for PAOC yet again this season, dominating off halfback and in the contest.
A strong and creative player with a high footy IQ, Jolly can take big marks to intercept attacks and is one of the best distributors in the competition.
Can also move up the ground to hit the scoreboard with seven goals to go along with five best player nods so far.
13. BEAU SCHWARZE
(Glenunga)
A classy small forward who can wreak havoc on opposition defences.
Schwarze has been a top drawer pressure forward for the Rams this season, forcing turnovers and either finishing for goal with ease or setting up teammates with pinpoint accuracy.
seven best player nods and 11 goals through 12 games this year.
12. JAY O’LEARY
(Broadview)
Broadview’s captain has hit the ground running in his first division one season, standing out as an explosive and skilled player in the midfield.
Relentless in the contest and boasting a big tank, O’Leary often leads by example for the Tigers and can single-handedly will them to a result.
Has eight best player appearances and seven goals in 13 games.
11. ANDREW BRADLEY
(Prince Alfred OC)
A star signing for PAOC this season, the former Glenelg captain and premiership player has been strong in the contest for the Old Reds.
A hardworking player who is to fill a number of roles around the ground, Bradley can slot in behind the ball or produce starring performances through the middle.
Has five best player appearances and eight goals in his 13 games so far.
10. LUKE BROWN
(Tea Tree Gully)
One of the biggest signings in local SA footy this season, Brown has been a consistent contributor for TTG since arriving from the Crows.
A star in defence who is as clean as anyone with ball in hand, Brown can also move up front to provide a strong target forward option.
Has four best player nods and 15 goals in 10 games so far.
9. SAM WUNDKE
(Glenunga)
Arguably the best key defender in the competition this season, Wundke’s form has been a big reason for Glenunga’s success so far in 2023.
A star leader for the Rams, Wundke can shut down almost any forward in division one with strong contested ball work in the air and at ground level while also starting rebound attacks with accurate disposal.
Has six best player mentions through his 13 appearances so far.
8. COOPER GAFFNEY
(Port District)
Coming off of a strong 2022 campaign during which he won best on ground in the div one grand final, Gaffney has been a standout again in 2023.
Gaffney is an excellent distributor off of halfback and can also apply his trade through the middle, fighting hard for possession as a key contributor for Port District.
Has five best player appearances and a goal in 13 games.
7. CRAIG PITT
(Prince Alfred OC)
Prince Alfred OC’s playing-coach has been highly influential for his team again this season, impressively leading it to top spot with finals fast-approaching.
A versatile star, the former Glenelg gun can play anywhere but is most effective through the middle or up front as a smart target forward – a position he was most dominant in during last year’s big dance.
Has kicked seven goals through 13 games so far and should be a key player come finals.
6. NICK FAVRETTO
(Goodwood)
The reigning Keith Sims OAM (division one) Medallist, Favretto has been a force during what has been a challenging year for Goodwood so far.
A bull in the contest, Favretto wins plenty of the ball for the Saints and can either find teammates with accurate disposal or move up the ground to hit the scoreboard.
Has seven best player nods and five goals in 13 games.
5. ALEX CAILOTTO
(Sacred Heart OC)
Sacred Heart OC’s playing-coach in 2023, Cailotto has led from the front for Hearts playing a dominant ruck and forward utility role.
One of the strongest targets in division one, Cailotto can boot bags of goals up front or feed midfielders with elite tap-work.
Has three best player performances and 20 goals through his 12 games so far this year.
4. ABE DAVIS
(Glenunga)
A key addition for the Rams this season, Davis has had a standout year since arriving from Sturt.
Able to play a number of roles around the ground including ruck, midfield and forward, Davis is one of the toughest to bring down in division one and makes strong decisions under pressure.
Has eight best player appearances and 21 goals through his 12 games so far.
3. CHRIS CURRAN
(Prince Alfred OC)
A star off of the backline for PAOC, Curran has been as impactful as ever for his side.
Arriving at the club last season, the former Glenelg captain can beat forwards in the air or at ground level and is the best distributor out of the back in the competition.
Has four best player nods in his 10 appearances so far.
2. SAM GRAY
(Port District)
The former Port Adelaide and Sydney player has been a weapon since arriving at Port District last season and is having another strong campaign after the club’s premiership in 2022.
A versatile player who is able to fill a number of roles for the Magpies, Gray is an excellent user of the footy and can do damage through the middle in the contest or have an impact up front.
Has nine best player mentions and 11 goals in 13 games.
1. JACK TRENGOVE
(Prince Alfred OC)
Coming off another strong year for the Old Reds last season, Trengove has been close to his best this year and a major factor in his club’s strong campaign so far.
The star onballer and former Keith Sims OAM Medallist is an elite distributor, runs out games exceptionally well and always providing a reliable option for teammates.
Can also hit the scoreboard with seven goals to go along with eight best player nods in his 13 games so far.
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