Adelaide Footy League Division Three top 40 players of 2023 ranked
Division Three of the Adelaide Footy League is packed with star talent so we’ve ranked the top 40 players for season 2023. See who made the cut.
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Division three of the Adelaide Footy League has long been packed with standout local SA talent and season 2023 has been no different.
Based on this season’s form and with the help of league insiders, we’ve ranked the division’s top 40 players of the year.
Players with less than six appearances were ruled ineligible.
Ladder leaders Modbury saw seven players make the cut, while Unley, Hope Valley, Flinders Park and Pembroke OS were also well-represented.
Here are our rankings from 40 to 1.
40. DANIEL CLUSE
(Modbury)
Joining Modbury from Unley in the pre-season, Cluse has been a positive influence through the contest.
A hard-nosed player who applies strong tackle pressure inside for the Hawks.
Has two best player nods and six goals in 13 games.
39. MITCH COLES
(Modbury)
Signing with Modbury after time with Border District, Coles has provided a boost for the Hawks.
The former Norwood player is a hard-running defender who can also slot into the middle if needed, damaging teams with his accurate leg.
Has five best player appearances and a goal in 12 games.
38. JOSH STUDHAM
(Seaton Ramblers)
Studham has been a standout for Seaton Ramblers since joining from Hummocks-Watchman in the Adelaide Plains FL.
An imposing forward who can fly high to take big grabs and finish in front of goal or find teammates in a better position.
Has 29 goals and five best player mentions in 12 games.
37. CAMERON ARMIENTO
(Unley Mercedes Jets)
The former Sturt and Hills FL player has been a positive for Unley this season, playing a number of roles around the ground but excelling in the contest.
Armiento is a strong player on the ball who can win his own footy and disposes to teammates in space with ease.
Has six best player nods and five goals in 12 games.
36. DAKOTA NIXON
(Flinders Park)
A consistent player in the contest who can also move up front, Nixon remains a standout for Flinders Park.
The former North Adelaide player is skilled on either side of his body and can often hurt teams with his penetrating disposal.
Has 10 goals and three best player mentions in 13 games.
35. GEORGE THRING
(Pembroke OS)
Joining brother Max Thring at the Kings after coaching Keith in the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara FL, Thring has been a strong player for his new club.
A gun midfielder who runs well through four terms and finds teammates with ease, Thring’s leadership and experience will be important for the run home.
Has three best player nods and three goals in 11 games.
34. DANIEL BLYTHE
(Flinders Park)
A consistent small forward for the Reds, Blythe has been damaging again in season 2023.
The Flinders Park captain provides brilliant leadership on the field and can either hit the scoreboard consistently or set teammates up.
Has two best player nods and 21 goals in 12 games.
33. JACK GRIEGER
(Hope Valley)
A star utility who joined Hope Valley after years of dominance for Waikerie in the Riverland FL, Grieger has provided a major boost for the Demons.
Strong in the air and with a high footy IQ, Grieger can influence the game behind the ball and lock down forwards, or move up front to hit the scoreboard.
Has five best player nods and four goals in 12 games.
32. ALEX FORSTER
(Pembroke OS)
The former Norwood and Fremantle forward has been a star of the Adelaide Footy League in recent years and continues to have a big impact up front for Pembroke OS.
The Kings forward is a creative player who can beat defenders through smart leads or take big marks while also linking his midfielders and forwards with accurate disposal.
Has 26 goals and two best player performances in 11 games so far.
31. MAX RENFREY
(Scotch OC)
A standout leader in division three, Renfrey has been a valuable player in the middle and behind the ball for his side.
The Scotch OC captain attacks the footy hard and provides a reliable option through four quarters, shutting down the opposition and disposing to teammates efficiently.
Has four best player performances through his 12 games.
30. DARCY GINEVER
(SMOSH West Lakes)
The son of Port Adelaide great Tim Ginever, Darcy Ginever has showed his potential across the backline and down the flanks this season.
Skilled by hand with a damaging boot, Ginever can cut off a number of attacks and provide important run and carry for SMOSH West Lakes.
Has 10 best player mentions and two goals for his club in 14 games.
29. NICK DINHAM
(Pembroke OS)
The former North Adelaide gun has been a big influence for the Kings this season, playing a role up front and also pinch-hitting as a big through the middle.
Capable of taking big marks and damaging opponents by booting goals or with his reliable field kicking.
Has three best player performances and 21 goals in 12 games so far.
28. BEN CARABOTT
(Hope Valley)
A talented and potent forward, Carabott has combined brilliantly with teammates Daniel Nobes and Matt Min up front this season.
Boasting clean skills at ground level and a strong nose for goal, Carabott has 24 goals to his name in 14 games this season.
Has also been named among the Demons’ best six times.
27. HAMISH WINTER-IRVING
(Scotch OC)
An emerging star behind the ball and through the contest for Scotch OC, Winter-Irving has been a standout in division three.
A hard runner who can take strong marks and win his own footy while also distributing consistently throughout four quarters.
Has nine best player nods and a goal in 14 games.
26. RILEY FAEHRMANN
(Unley Mercedes Jets)
Unley’s captain has been as important as ever for his side this year as it launches a strong grand final bid.
The Jets onballer is one of his team’s most versatile players and can play multiple roles across the ground, competing well in the air and damaging opposition by foot.
Has six best player nods and four goals in 14 games.
25. WILL RIDDLE
(Hope Valley)
A consistent star for Hope Valley, Riddle’s work on and behind the ball has been important for the Demons this season.
A strong runner who loves to attack the footy relentlessly in the contest and deal to teammates with precision.
Has nine best player nods in his 11 games this year.
24. SAM HARGREAVES
(Scotch OC)
Returning to Scotch OC after a season with Norwood in the SANFL Reserves, Hargreaves has been a star contributor through the midfield and along the flanks.
Providing strong run and carry, Hargreaves is an exceptional user of the ball and can also hit the scoreboard on occasion.
Has five best player nods and four goals in seven games so far.
23. JACK GREEN
(Pembroke OS)
Green has starred as Pembroke OS captain again this season.
A standout through the contest for the Kings, Green sets an example for the rest of his side with his high work rate and ability to rack up clearances.
Has seven best player nods and eight goals in 14 games.
22. JAKE SUTCLIFFE
(Unley Mercedes Jets)
Former Sturt premiership forward Sutcliffe has been highly effective for Unley since joining from St Peter’s OC.
An athletic and strong forward who often beats defenders in the air and at ground level, Sutcliffe can boot goals from anywhere and also create opportunities for his teammates.
Has 33 majors and two best player nods through nine games.
21. MATT MIN
(Hope Valley)
Hope Valley’s playing-coach, Min has been at the top of his game in season 2023.
A skilled forward who can take strong grabs and finish in front of goal or set up his teammates.
Min has formed a formidable duo with Daniel Nobes and has kicked 49 majors in his 14 games this year.
20. JAMES CRAIG
(Westminster OS)
A standout ruckman in division three, James Craig has been a valuable part of Westminster’s makeup again this year.
The former North Adelaide and Crows player covers ground exceptionally well for a big man, has consistent foot skills and feeds his mids with dominant tap-work.
Has four best player performances and a goal in eight games.
19. TIM DAVEY
(Modbury)
Last season’s division three medallist, Modbury veteran Davey continues to perform for the Hawks.
A hard runner on the ball who hits the contest hard and boasts brilliant foot skills, Davey can still be one of the most damaging players in the competition on his day.
Has four best player nods and seven goals in his nine games and should be a major factor come finals.
18. ADAM MAHNEY
(SMOSH West Lakes)
Former Port Adelaide player Mahney has been an important and consistent player for SMOSH West Lakes this season.
A hard-nosed utility who can shut down a number of the competition’s forwards and set his team up with efficient disposal, Mahney also has the ability to move up front and boot multiple goals.
Has six best player nods and 17 goals in 14 games this season.
17. AARON STEWART
(Modbury)
Signing with Modbury after a strong season with Athelstone in division two, Stewart has been an integral part of the Hawks’ success so far this year.
A hard worker through the middle who competes well in the contest each week and creates for his team with reliable ball-use.
Has nine best player mentions and seven goals in 14 games.
16. OLIVER CHEESMAN
(Unley Mercedes Jets)
Port Adelaide SANFL player Cheesman has proved to be a star for Unley yet again this year.
A relentless player through the midfield who can cover ground and boot goals, Cheesman wins plenty of the contested footy for the Jets and disposes to teammates efficiently.
Has 10 goals and five best player nods in 12 games.
15. STEPHEN TAHANA
(Gaza)
Also a SANFL League player for the Crows this season, Tahana has had a standout year for a struggling Gaza side.
The former Collingwood VFL utility can impact the game in a number of areas and often shows elite skills and clean hands in the air and at ground level.
Has five best player nods and a goal in his 10 games for the Eagles this season.
14. TOM HARMS
(Westminster OS)
Joining WOS after time with McLaren in the Great Southern FL, former Sturt star Harms has been at his best for the Dragons.
A versatile star who can play at the back, up front or through the middle, Harms applies strong tackle pressure to the opposition, is a consistent overhead mark and can also boot goals.
Has 12 majors – including a seven-goal performance against Flinders Park – and four best player mentions in eight games.
13. MAX THRING
(Pembroke OS)
Playing his second season with Pembroke OS after his time as a premiership captain with North Adelaide, Thring has been a star for the Kings yet again.
A tough inside player who covers ground well and sets up forwards with elite disposal.
Thring has four best player nods and six goals through eight games.
12. MITCH MEAD
(Seaton Ramblers)
Joining the Ramblers after time with Woodville-West Torrens, Mead has produced at a high level in division three.
A tough and gritty player who has no problem winning the footy in the contest for his club, Mead often rises to the occasion against the competition’s best.
Has eight best player nods and five goals in 12 games.
11. JAMES SCHWARZ
(Flinders Park)
The first of three Schwarz brothers in this list, James has been a weapon for Flinders Park yet again this season.
A skilled and relentless player in close through the contest, Schwarz attacks the footy fearlessly for the Reds and deals to teammates with ease off either boot.
Has seven best player appearances and five goals in 14 games.
10. PAUL PUOPOLO
(Hope Valley)
Puopolo has been a major standout for his hometown club since joining after a season with Virginia in 2022.
The triple AFL premiership player and former Norwood gun has been a vocal leader for the Demons and has produced his best footy as an exciting, high-flying utility who can slot in up front and also play through the middle.
Has five best player performances and four goals in 10 games.
9. ANTHONY WILSON
(Pembroke OS)
One of the most exciting players in the competition, Wilson has been a standout in his games for the Kings this year.
A member of Port Adelaide’s SANFL list again this season, Wilson is a fast and explosive forward and winger who is as clean as anyone off of the deck and can find teammates with ease.
Has 13 goals and four best player nods in his eight games this year.
8. DANIEL NOBES
(Hope Valley)
One of local SA footy’s greatest forwards, Nobes remains a terror for opposition defences up front.
Playing in his second season with Hope Valley, the former South Adelaide target man is as strong as anyone overhead and kicks plenty of important goals for the Demons.
Has 52 majors to lead the competition and five best player mentions in 12 games.
7. RYAN LLEWELLYN
(Modbury)
A standout for Central District at League level last season, Llewellyn has been one of Modbury’s best in 2023.
An imposing and skilled defender who can dominate in the air and is clean off the ground, Llewellyn can take over a game at the back and is one of the competition’s best distributors.
Has six best player nods and two goals in 14 games.
6. LIAM VERITY
(Modbury)
The standout target forward in the competition, Verity has backed up his top drawer 2022 campaign with another strong season this year.
A strong forward who is almost unstoppable on a lead and can take big marks, Verity has the ability to boot goals from anywhere and can also create for teammates with ease up front.
Has 52 goals (tied first with Nobes) and three best player nods so far this season.
5. TOM SCHWARZ
(Flinders Park)
Schwarz has been a key part of another strong season from Flinders Park in division three.
A hard-nosed midfielder who does plenty of the dirty work for the Reds, Schwarz has been a big game player for his side, often performing at his best against the strongest teams.
Has 10 best player appearances and 11 goals in 13 games.
4. DARCY PISANI
(Modbury)
Pisani has emerged as a star of the division three competition after arriving at Modbury from Central District.
A strong midfielder who can also have an impact up front, Pisani has a big tank and boasts elite foot skills, often damaging opponents with his efficient disposal.
Has 11 best player mentions and seven goals through his 14 games so far.
3. NIC SCHWARZ
(Flinders Park)
Continuing on from his standout 2022 season with Flinders Park, Schwarz has been dominant yet again in 2023.
The former South Adelaide midfielder is a skilled and versatile player who can have a major impact on the ball with his ability to win the footy inside and deal to teammates, and can also move up the ground to kick goals.
Has nine majors and seven best player performances in 14 games.
2. MITCH DUVAL
(Unley Mercedes Jets)
Star defender Duval has been one of the best players in division three and a standout for Unley this season.
The former West Adelaide and Woodville-West Torrens SANFL League player marshalls the backline with ease, reading deliveries to take big intercept marks and also distributing at a high efficiency to teammates up the ground.
Has seven best player nods through his 10 games so far.
1. MARK EVANS
(Pembroke OS)
One of the most skilled players in the Adelaide Footy League, Evans has had another sensational year as playing-coach of the Kings.
An exciting forward who can also pinch-hit in the middle, Evans is skilled by hand or foot, takes big marks and can boot goals from anywhere in or around the forward 50.
Has 35 goals in his 13 games so far and should star in September if his side is to make finals.
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