Adelaide Footy League division one’s top 50 players of 2024 ranked
Division one of the Adelaide Footy League is packed with elite local talent so we’ve ranked the top 50 players for 2024. See who made the cut.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Adelaide Footy League’s top division has long been a competition filled with some of SA’s top footballing talent and season 2024 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 and with the help of league insiders and coaches, we’ve ranked division one’s top 50 players.
Players with less than seven appearances were ruled ineligible.
50. JOHNNY BORAS
(Broadview)
Arriving at Broadview after starring in the River Murray, Boras has been a strong forward for the Tigers.
Boras leads well, takes strong marks and has the ability to finish from anywhere or give his teammates goalkicking chances.
Has 32 majors and four best player nods in 14 games.
49. ETHAN SMITH
(Broadview)
Arriving from North Adelaide, Smith has been a huge boost for Broadview.
Boasts great leg speed and strong pressure on the footy and always makes good decisions in possession.
Has four best player nods and six goals in 13 games.
48. CLAYTON SYMONDS
(Sacred Heart OC)
A star leader for SHOC, Symonds has been strong yet again this year.
A skilful user of the footy, Symonds is comfortable distributing or finishing on either side of his body.
The Hearts captain has five goals and two best player nods in seven games.
47. JAKE TARCA
(Brighton)
The former Geelong and South Adelaide man has been solid again in 2024.
A skilled forward who can also damage in the contest, Tarca is a quick and agile player who can boot goals or set up others.
Has 19 majors and four best player mentions in 14 games.
46. TOM MCDERMOTT
(Sacred Heart OC)
A courageous player who has contributed well on the wing and in the middle.
McDermott attacks the footy as hard as anyone and wins important possessions for Hearts while also distributing efficiently under pressure.
Has six best player mentions in 14 games.
45. BRODIE LATHAM
(Tea Tree Gully)
An athletic and skilled player up front, Latham has been one of his club’s best.
Hits contests with courage in the air or at ground level and provides a reliable forward option for the Gullies with consistent goalkicking.
Has 32 goals to sit equal top in the competition as well as six best player nods in 14 games.
44. TOM SUMNER
(Prince Alfred OC)
A consistent contributor, Sumner has had a strong 2024 season for PAOC.
Covers ground well and provides a reliable option in the contest with his footy smarts and efficient ball use.
Has three best player performances in nine games.
43. ZAC SMITH
(Glenunga)
A strong key back who battles hard each week, Smith has been an important player for the Rams.
Can stand on any forward and do a job with his ability to compete in their air and at ground level and distributes well out of the backline.
Has three best player performances in 13 games so far.
42. JAMES HIGGINS
(St Peter’s OC)
A standout player for SPOC this season.
Higgins impacts the contest with his attack at the footy and clean distribution to teammates and can also create a number of goalkicking opportunities.
Has seven best player mentions and eight goals in 14 games.
41. COOPER GAFFNEY
(Port District)
Coming off of a strong 2023 campaign, Gaffney has been solid again in 2024.
Anexcellent 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 six best player appearances and two goals in 13 games.
40. TYSON BRAZEL
(Prince Alfred OC)
Brazel has been important for his club again this year after an impressive 2023.
A reliable target inside 50 for the Old Reds, Brazel executes smart leads, takes big grabs and boots goals from anywhere.
Has 23 majors and four best player nods in 12 games.
39. JONNIE READ
(St Peter’s OC)
While 2024 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 four best player nods so far.
38. CHRIS OLSSON
(Tea Tree Gully)
A versatile player for the Gullies this year, Olsson has been one of his side’s most important players.
Olsson can be a ball magnet around the ground and often plays a strong connector role between midfielders and forwards with great distribution.
Has six best player nods and four goals in 13 games.
37. HARRY PROSSER
(Glenunga)
Prosser has impressed up front for the Rams this season.
Can play a number of roles but does his best work as a skilled, athletic and strong forward who hits the scoreboard consistently.
Has 26 majors and four best player performances in 13 games.
36. BEN MANNING
(Broadview)
A versatile player who fills a number of roles and has been one of his side’s most important contributors.
Manning boasts great skills overhead and at ground level, hits the contest hard and is a reliable user.
Has seven best player performances and four goals in 14 games.
35. ETHAN MOORE
(Sacred Heart OC)
A talented player for SHOC who continues to improve each season.
Moore impacts the contest in a number of ways with his ability to find the footy, distribute efficiently and also apply important pressure.
Has seven best player nods and six goals in 12 games for Hearts.
34. ANTHONY GIANNINI
(Payneham Norwood Union)
An important leader for the Falcons, Giannini has been a standout so far this year.
A tireless worker through the contest who finds plenty of the footy and distributes to teammates efficiently while under pressure.
Has three best player nods and five goals in nine games.
33. WILL RIVERS
(Brighton)
Returning to Brighton after an impressive tenure in the South East, Rivers has starred for the Bombers in 2024.
A strong and versatile player who can dominate a game up front and also produce in the contest or behind the ball, Rivers has kicked a number of big goals for the Bombers.
Has six best player appearances and 23 majors in 14 games.
32. DECLAN FAHEY
(Glenunga)
A promising utility who can play a number of roles, former North Adelaide League and Reserves footballer Fahey has fit Nathan Grima’s Glenunga side well so far this season.
Fahey is a strong player who is reliable overhead and accurate by hand or foot and can also hit the scoreboard.
Has five best player nods and 13 goals in 12 games.
31. TYLER MARTIN
(Tea Tree Gully)
Martin has been a standout as a key position player in 2024 after a strong 2023.
The former Redlegs player can provide security and toughness behind the ball or perform up front with strong marking ability and a reliable shot for goal.
Has six best player performances and 22 goals in his 14 games.
30. TOM WAGNER
(Payneham Norwood Union)
Arriving at PNU last year after time with Norwood, Wagner has played a significant part in the Falcons’ strong run this year.
Capable of playing up front or through the midfield, Wagner’s skill and versatility makes him one of his side’s most damaging players.
Has six best player nods and 22 goals in 14 games.
29. HAYDEN JOLLY
(Prince Alfred OC)
Jolly has been strong for PAOC yet again this season, impressing at 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 four goals to go along with three best player performances so far.
28. 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 eight best player mentions and three goals in 10 games.
27. 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 seven best player nods and five goals in 14 games.
26. MICHAEL MCMAHON
(Glenunga)
An integral part of the Rams yet again this year, McMahon has been as damaging as ever in division one.
One of the league’s most versatile players, McMahon has a great tank, impressive skills and can play up front, behind the ball or through the middle if needed.
Has 27 goals and five best player nods through 11 games.
25. COOPER O’LEARY
(Broadview)
Improving for Broadview during each A Grade season, O’Leary has become one of the Tigers’ best players.
A tough and tireless competitor through the middle, O’Leary is a great user of the ball and can also burn opponents with pace.
Has eight best player nods and six goals in his 14 games.
24. LOUIS SHARRAD
(Port District)
A gun midfielder during his time in the SANFL with Woodville-West Torrens and Adelaide, Sharrad has hit the ground running for Port District this year.
Sharrad provides a powerful presence through the middle and on the wing, often exploding with ball in hand before damaging opposition with his disposal.
Has six best player performances and eight goals in 12 games.
23. JED SPENCE
(Payneham Norwood Union)
Joining PNU ahead of last season, Spence has been a major standout in the midfield for the Falcons.
Extremely skilled by hand and foot, Spence applies consistent tackle pressure in the contest, creates for his teammates effortlessly with ball in hand and can also hit the scoreboard.
Has six best player nods and nine goals in his 11 games so far this year.
22. BRAD NOBLE
(Sacred Heart OC)
A consistent performer for SHOC, Noble has emerged as one of the league’s top onballers this year.
Noble is a tough competitor who provides valuable skill inside whether he is winning his own footy or setting others up with his clearance work and accurate disposal.
Has 10 best player mentions and two goals in 14 games.
21. JARMAN SIGAL
(Brighton)
One of the standout defenders in division one, Sigal has built on his strong 2023 to put together a starring season so far in 2024.
Also a member of Adelaide’s SANFL side, Sigal is capable of doing a job on any Adelaide Footy League forward and a great distributor off of the backline.
Has four best player nods and two goals in nine games.
20. 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.
Has nine best player mentions and two goals in 13 games.
19. JORDAN WEST
(Glenunga)
An important addition to Glenunga’s troops this year, West has emerged as one of the Adelaide Footy League’s top rucks.
West is a strong and skilled player who has had standout performances against some of the top division’s best sides, impressing in the ruck and also impacting the game around the ground and in front of goal.
Has eight best player mentions and five goals in 14 games.
18. BLAKE PENNEY
(Tea Tree Gully)
A dominant part of Tea Tree Gully’s lineup again this year, star leader Penney has been a standout in the ruck.
Always gives his midfielders great service with impressive tap work and often impacts play around the ground with his marking ability and disposal.
Has nine best player nods in 14 games for TTG.
17. JOEY HAINES
(Port District)
One of multiple key inclusions for Port District this season, Haines has starred across halfback for his new side.
The former South Adelaide gun reads play well, boasts great ability overhead and can damage opposition with penetrating disposal.
Has five best player performances and two goals in 14 games.
16. LEWIS JOHNSTON
(Golden Grove)
Capable of doing a job in multiple roles for Golden Grove, Johnston has been one of the standouts of div one this season.
The former Adelaide and Norwood player has a great feel for the game and a high footy IQ, often controlling games behind the ball and on the wing.
Has five best player performances and three goals through 14 games so far.
15. CRAIG PITT
(Prince Alfred OC)
Prince Alfred OC’s playing-coach has been highly influential for his team again this season.
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 can dominate in.
Has kicked 12 goals through 14 games so far and should be a key player during the final weeks of the season.
14. AIDAN THATCHER
(Golden Grove)
One of the top defenders in the Adelaide Footy League, Thatcher has been a force for Golden Grove in 2024.
A tireless worker at the back who can stand on a number of forwards, Thatcher’s aerial and ground level contest work and ability to read the play makes him a standout for the Kookaburras.
Has eight best player appearances in 14 games.
13. MATT ROSE
(Port District)
Rose’s arrival at Port District after a strong career with South Adelaide marked a major move for the club and has them competing for a flag again in 2024.
A damaging halfback/wing this year who reads the play as well as anyone, provides important run and carry and top drawer distribution.
Rose has six best player performances and three goals in 14 games.
12. STEVE JACKSON
(Broadview)
Joining Broadview after a strong career with Weeroona Bay in the Whyalla FL, Jackson has been a standout in the contest for the Tigers.
A ball magnet who uses it as well as anyone in the competition, Jackson has no trouble winning plenty of the footy and releasing teammates in space or creating goalkicking opportunities.
Has six best player performances and five goals in 12 games.
11. CAM SHENTON
(Golden Grove)
Shenton has been a star for Golden Grove through multiple seasons and 2024 has been no exception.
A versatile weapon with the ability to play back or in the contest, Shenton wins plenty of the footy for the Kookaburras and is one of his side’s most reliable in disposal.
Has five best player performances and three goals in 14 games.
10. CHARLIE PRIDHAM
(Glenunga)
The former Goodwood youngster joined Grima’s Glenunga for season 2024 and has been a standout almost every week.
Pridham has starred across the backline or through the midfield for the Rams, providing strong run and carry and reliable distribution to become one of the top side’s key players.
Has 10 best player nods and seven goals in 14 games.
9. LACHY MCNAMARA
(Prince Alfred OC)
A longtime star for the reigning D1 premier, PAOC captain McNamara has been at his best so far in 2024.
McNamara is one of his side’s most damaging players and can fill a number of roles, using his clean skills and impressive distribution or finishing in front of goal to cause problems for opposition.
Has eight best player nods and nine goals in 11 games.
8. JOSH GLENN
(Golden Grove)
Dominant for Golden Grove after joining last year and winning the club’s Best and Fairest, Glenn has had another strong season for the Kookaburras.
A versatile utility who can play up front or do damage in the contest, Glenn is a strong and athletic player who boasts great hand and foot skills.
Has five best player performances and 18 goals in 11 games.
7. BRAD MCKENZIE
(Payneham Norwood Union)
The former North Melbourne and Norwood gun has been a star for the Falcons yet again this year.
McKenzie boasts clean skills off of the deck and by hand and foot and his ability to impact a game at the back or through the midfield makes him one of PNU’s most dangerous players.
Has eight best player nods and five goals in 13 games.
6. JAKE PITMAN
(Golden Grove)
Former Norwood gun Pitman has played at a high level yet again for the Kookaburras this season.
A ball magnet who is a skilled and efficient user, loves doing the dirty work in the contest for Golden Grove and often helps to create a number of goalkicking opportunities for his side each week.
Has 10 best player nods and seven goals in 14 games.
5. SAM GRAY
(Port District)
The former Port Adelaide and Sydney player has been a weapon since arriving at Port District in 2022 and is having another strong campaign.
A versatile player who is able to fill a number of roles for his side, 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 eight goals in 14 games.
4. ALEX CAILOTTO
(Sacred Heart OC)
Sacred Heart OC’s star playing-coach, 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 and distribution.
Has two best player mentions and 17 goals in 14 games while leading his side to contention.
3. SCOTT LYCETT
(Port District)
One of the biggest signings in local SA footy this season, former West Coast and Port Adelaide ruck Lycett has impressed for Port District.
Strong and skilled in the ruck, Lycett gives his mids brilliant service each week and is also a big marking presence across the ground.
Has eight best player nods and seven goals in 13 games.
2. MATTHEW NUNN
(Payneham Norwood Union)
Signing with PNU after a starring career with Norwood, the former Redlegs premiership captain has dominated for the Falcons.
A skilled and gritty player in the contest, Nunn consistently finds the footy and teammates around the ground and is one of the competition’s most accurate distributors.
Has 12 best player mentions and nine goals through 13 games.
1. ABE DAVIS
(Glenunga)
The reigning Keith Sims OAM Medallist, Glenunga captain Abe Davis has been at his best again this season to lead his Rams to a so far undefeated campaign.
A versatile weapon for Glenunga, Davis wins plenty of the footy in the contest and delivers to teammates efficiently under pressure and also does damage up front with his impressive marking and goalkicking ability.
Has 10 best player nods and 22 goals in 14 games.
‘Beyond excited’: Dixon joins local SA club for 2025
Former Port Adelaide star Charlie Dixon has joined a local SA footy club for season 2025 after retiring from the AFL level.
Read more
‘Like a second home’: Local footy club legend calls time
A Southern Football League great has called time on his dazzling career ahead of season 2025 after winning a fourth A Grade premiership with his beloved local club in 2024.
Read more