Adelaide Footy League division two’s top 50 players of 2024 ranked
Division two of the Adelaide Footy League is filled with top drawer local talent so we’ve ranked the top 50 players of 2024. See who made the cut.
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Division two of the Adelaide Footy League has featured some of the SA’s top local footy talent for many years and 2024 has been no exception.
Based on this season’s form, we’ve ranked division two’s top 50 players of 2024.
Players with less than seven appearances were ruled ineligible
Here are our rankings from 50 to 1.
50. LUCA STEPIC
(Rostrevor OC)
Stepic has backed up his strong 2023 season for Athelstone with a standout year for ROCS.
The gun forward consistently beats defenders with smart leads and safe hands.
Has 31 goals and three best player mentions in 13 games.
49. KYNAN DUNN
(PHOS Camden)
Joining PHOS Camden after time in the Hills FL, Dunn has been a standout for the Phantoms.
The young gun covers ground as well as anyone and can create goalkicking opportunities for his side or occasionally kick majors himself.
Has five best player nods and seven goals in 12 games.
48. JAMES BUTTERWORTH
(Rostrevor OC)
A consistent player for ROC through a number of years, Butterworth is having a strong season for the club.
The versatile mid and backman can slot in to a number of positions and hurt opposition with smart distribution and relentless attack at the footy.
Has six best player mentions in his 15 games so far.
47. JED RUSSELL
(Athelstone)
Russell has improved on his output this season after a strong 2023 for the Raggies.
A tireless worker who provides run and carry and distributes accurately for teammates.
Has seven best player nods and six goals in 14 games.
46. TOM LYNCH
(Goodwood)
An important leader for the Saints this year.
Lynch can contribute on or behind the ball with his tough approach to the game and can damage opposition with his distribution.
Has nine best player nods in 15 games.
45. DAKOTA NIXON
(Flinders Park)
A consistent player in the contest who can also produce 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 seven goals and five best player mentions in 12 games.
44. CALEB BARTON
(Athelstone)
A young gun out of Hectorville who has made a name for himself this season.
A skilled and crafty forward who can create goals for himself and others, Barton has been one of Athelstone’s standouts so far this year.
Barton has 33 goals and three best player nods in 15 games.
43. MALACHAI AH MATT
(Modbury)
The current leading goalkicker in the division, Ah Matt has had a strong year for the Hawks.
A strong and athletic player up front who can boot crafty goals or kick bags through reliable set shot execution.
Has 48 majors and five best player nods in 14 games.
42. NATHAN HINTER
(Flinders Park)
A versatile player who can bag goals up front or impact the contest.
Hinter’s ability to play a number of roles makes him important for the Reds and he is a classy user.
Has six best player nods and 19 goals in 15 games.
41. LIAM VERITY
(Modbury)
While Verity has not been as productive with goals as in previous seasons, the star big man has still been among his side’s best.
Often takes a number of key defenders for Modbury and uses his strong marking ability to set himself up or open up opportunities for others including Ah Matt.
Has 35 goals and two best player nods so far this year.
40. JAIDYN MEAD
(Modbury)
A star young gun for Norwood last season, Mead joined Modbury after a couple of reserves appearances for Hectorville in 2023 and has emerged as a bright talent.
A running defender who can also slot in through the midfield or on the wing, often racking up a number of disposals and marks and damaging opposition with his accurate kicking.
Has four best player nods and two goals in six AdFL division two games.
39. JESSE BOAG
(Adelaide Uni)
A strong player in the contest or behind the ball, Boag has been a key player for the Blacks this year.
Covers ground well, has reliable hand and foot skills and is one of his side’s most consistent players.
Has 10 best player mentions in 15 games.
38. WILL FERRARI
(Old Ignatians)
A longtime performer for Old Iggies, Ferrari has had another solid year for his club.
Is a hard worker around the ground who applies big tackles, wins his own footy and deals to teammates seamlessly.
Has four best player nods and eight goals in 10 games.
37. NICK FAVRETTO
(Goodwood)
Favretto sustained an unfortunate injury during round seven of the season and has been out since, but was among the very best in the division up to that point.
A strong midfielder who covers ground well, applies relentless tackle pressure and finds teammates at a high efficiency.
The former div one medallist has four best player nods and five goals in seven games.
36. ANTHONY HELLEBAUT
(Salisbury North)
A tireless pressure forward for the Hawks, Hellebaut has been one of his side’s most important players.
Hellebaut works hard to win possession up front and can also dominate with his ability to finish from anywhere in and around the 50.
Has 35 goals and three best player performances in 15 games.
35. MACX TEAGUE
(Flinders Park)
A talented forward who can impact the game in a number of ways.
Teague boasts great overhead and goalkicking ability and can win his own footy up front as well as move around the ground and damage with his disposal.
Has 43 goals and two best player performances in 15 games.
34. CHRIS LODOVICI
(Athelstone)
An important player for Athelstone this season.
Lodovici is classy in possession, often damaging opposition with his smooth movement and ability to pick out teammates by hand or foot.
Has six best player nods and three goals in 13 games.
33. SAM BOOTS
(Old Ignatians)
A relentless player in the contest for Old Iggies, Boots is having another strong season for his side.
Finds plenty of the ball and wins a number of contested possessions for his side while also finding teammates efficiently while under pressure and moving up the ground to hit the scoreboard.
Has 16 majors and 10 best player nods in 15 games.
32. BEN ADAMS
(Adelaide Uni)
Adams returned to the Blacks from Blackwood last season and has been a star leader since.
The former club best and fairest is a hard runner and courageous mid with great skills on either side of his body.
Has seven best player appearances in nine games so far.
31. LOU WHITELOCK
(Goodwood)
Goodwood veteran Whitelock has been a dominant defender through multiple years with the club and 2024 has been no different.
Able to stand on a range of forwards in the division, Whitelock can win the footy in the air and at ground level and is reliable in possession.
Has five best player nods in 10 games.
30. JOEY BROWN
(Salisbury North)
Former Central District and Kapunda player Joey Brown has starred for Salisbury North this year.
Also helping to guide the club’s midfielders, Brown works hard in the contest and can hit teammates anywhere around the ground with impressive accuracy.
Has nine goals and three best player performances.
29. AARON ANDERSON
(Edwardstown)
Playing his third year with Edwardstown, West Adelaide premiership player Anderson has been a standout again in 2024.
The powerful midfielder is one of the hardest to quell in the contest, attacking the footy relentlessly and exploding from congestion to find teammates and create goalscoring opportunities.
Has five best player mentions and three goals in 10 games.
28. CHARLES KEMP
(Rostrevor OC)
Kemp has been a major boost for ROCS since arriving in 2023 after time with the Norwood reserves in 2022.
A rising star for his club, Kemp is a consistent contributor through the middle and up front who boasts impressive hand and foot skills.
Has been in his club’s best eight times and kicked 15 goals in 15 games.
27. OLIVER JOHNSON
(Goodwood)
Co-captain of Goodwood alongside Favretto this season, Johnson has had a consistent year for the Saints.
Wins plenty of his own footy around the ground and possesses a high footy IQ, with the ability to either find teammates for goalkicking opportunities or hit the scoreboard himself.
Has eight goals and eight best player mentions in 11 games.
26. DOMENIC COSTANZO
(Salisbury North)
One of Salisbury North’s most impactful players this season, Costanzo will play an important part in the run home as the Hawks continue to fight for a flag.
The former Central District player has been a key cog in his side’s midfield, fighting hard in the contest and dealing to teammates with precision.
Has nine goals and five best player performances in his 13 games so far.
25. KANE NURTON
(Athelstone)
Nurton has taken his game to another level for the Raggies this year after a strong 2023.
A hardworking player in the contest who makes great decisions under pressure and can also kick goals.
Has eight best player nods and 14 majors in 15 games
24. JOCK VAN KEMPEN
(PHOS Camden)
A tough player on the ball who always makes good decisions in possession, Van Kempen has been a standout for the Phantoms.
Competes relentlessly in the air and at ground level and is one of his side’s best users.
Has eight best player appearances and seven goals in 14 games.
23. JOSH SCHILLER
(Edwardstown)
Schiller has been a star for Towns yet again in 2024.
An athletic and skilled player by hand and foot who can play anywhere around the ground and finds plenty of the ball.
Has 11 best player mentions and three goals in 15 games.
22. AARON STEWART
(Modbury)
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 seven best player mentions and five goals in 15 games.
21. FINN WAKELIN
(Rostrevor OC)
A dominant utility, Wakelin’s ability to impact the game in multiple ways has been big for ROCS.
Wakelin is a strong and athletic player who can play in the ruck or have big performances up front with his marking and goalkicking ability.
Has 32 goals and six best player nods in 15 games.
20. RYAN MARINI
(Adelaide Uni)
Marini has impressed as captain of Adelaide Uni this season.
A skilled and powerful player who finds plenty of the ball and can cut up opposition with his accurate and penetrating disposal.
Can also hit the scoreboard, with 15 goals and six best player performances in 15 games.
19. JADE CLEELAND
(Goodwood)
Cleeland has been an important player for Goodwood since joining in 2023.
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 six best player appearances and 11 goals in 11 games.
18. JAMES SCHWARZ
(Flinders Park)
Schwarz 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 five best player performances and eight goals in 15 games.
17. LOGAN HILL
(Edwardstown)
Hill has been a standout each week during his second season with Edwardstown.
The former West Adelaide best and fairest and premiership player has been highly effective in the midfield with his ability to win the ball and find teammates while under pressure.
Has eight best player nods in eight games.
16. DARCY MCDONALD
(Old Ignatians)
Joining Old Ignatians after time with Central Districts and South Gawler, McDonald has provided a major boost through midfield for the club.
A tireless worker in and around the contest for Old Iggies, McDonald finds plenty of the footy, provides important run and carry and possesses reliable skills.
Has 11 best player nods and eight goals in 15 games.
15. JAKE RUSSO
(Salisbury North)
The Hawks have been the pace setters so far this year and much of their success has been due to the performances of Russo in ruck.
A skilled big man with the ability to service his mids with strong tap-work and also take big marks and push forward.
Has six best player nods and four goals in 11 games so far.
14. NATHAN HEARING
(Modbury)
One of Modbury’s most important players this year, Hearing has picked back up from where he left off after a strong 2023.
A versatile player who does damage in the contest and in front of goal, Hearing is an impressive athlete who possesses great hand and foot skills.
Has six best player performances and 22 goals in 15 games.
13. LUKE RANDER
(Athelstone)
A star leader for Athelstone through a number of seasons, Rander has been impressive again this year.
Rander is a strong and athletic forward who can impact play around the ground or do major damage up front with his aerial ability, disposal to others and finishing prowess.
Has 24 goals in 13 games so far and will be a key focal point come finals.
12. LUKE HABEL
(Salisbury North)
Joining the Hawks as playing-coach after a strong SANFL career with Central District, Habel has been instrumental in his side’s success so far this year.
The reserves best and fairest for the Bulldogs last year, Habel leads his side well and works hard around the ground to find the footy and hit teammates with precision.
11. CAMERON BALL
(Rostrevor OC)
Joining Rostrevor OC after time with Norwood last season, Ball has been a major standout for the club.
A consistent defender during his time with the Redlegs, Ball has been of major importance for ROCS with his ability to win aerial and ground level contests and hit targets around the ground.
Has six best player nods in 10 games.
10. HENRY PAPATOLIS
(PHOS Camden)
Dual division two best and fairest Papatolis has been a standout for the Phantoms yet again this year.
A hardworking and athletic midfielder who is relentless in the contest, Papatolis wins plenty of the ball for his side and distributes as well as anyone while also hitting the scoreboard on occasion.
Has 11 best player appearances and seven goals through 14 games so far.
9. KAINE STEVENS
(Goodwood)
Joining Goodwood after time in Victoria, former West Adelaide gun Stevens has been the best player for his club this year.
Damaging in the contest and up front, Stevens is a powerful player who wins plenty of his own footy, takes strong marks and finishes for himself or sets up opportunities for others.
Has seven best player nods and 11 goals in 10 games.
8. RYAN LLEWELLYN
(Modbury)
Llewellyn has starred at the back again this year after a dominant 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 most accurate distributors.
Has nine best player nods and a goal goals in 15 games.
7. DARCY PISANI
(Modbury)
Pisani has emerged as a star of the division two competition.
A strong player who can also have an impact in the contest and up front, Pisani has a big tank and boasts elite foot skills, often damaging opponents with his efficient disposal.
Has 13 best player mentions and four goals through his 15 games so far.
6. JORDAN O’BRIEN
(Salisbury North)
Salisbury North captain Jordan O’Brien remains a standout inside player in division two.
The Hawks star and former Central District player is an athletic and skilled asset who covers ground as well as anyone in the competition and can find teammates anywhere around the ground with efficient disposal.
Has 10 best player nods and 11 goals in 15 games.
5. NIC SCHWARZ
(Flinders Park)
Continuing on from his standout 2023 season with Flinders Park, Schwarz has been dominant yet again.
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 12 majors and nine best player performances in 14 games.
4. JOSH HOLYOAK
(Edwardstown)
While Edwardstown has struggled in the division this year, club captain Holyoak has continued to impress.
A dominant inside player and ball magnet who covers plenty of ground, distributes well and also boots goals, Holyoak leads his side by example with standout performances each week.
Has nine best player performances and 13 goals in 14 games.
3. JAKE JOHANSEN
(Salisbury North)
A top player for the division’s top side so far in 2024, Johansen has been a match winner for the Hawks.
Battles hard to win his own footy, is one of the best distributors in the division and also has no issue hitting the scoreboard to boot important majors.
Has 39 goals and five best player performances in 13 games.
2. MITCH GRIGG
(Athelstone)
Joining his junior club last season, dual Magarey Medallist Mitch Grigg has been dominant in div two.
A tough player who covers the ground well and damages opposition with his accurate left boot through the middle or up front, Grigg’s skills and leadership have helped to make Athelstone a contender in 2024.
Has eight best player nods and 22 goals in 15 games.
1. JAMES WARTON
(Rostrevor OC)
Warton has had an outstanding season in the midfield for Rostrevor OC.
A workhorse who runs all day, Warton does major damage to opposition at stoppage with his ability to find the ball and deal to teammate efficiently and also provides important run and carry and disposal outside of stoppage.
Has eight best player nods and nine goals in 13 games and has been key to ROCS being a contender this year.
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