Adelaide Plains Football League top 30 players of 2023 ranked
The Adelaide Plains Football League is packed with country footy talent so we’ve ranked the competition’s top 30 players for 2023. See who made the cut.
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The Adelaide Plains Football League boasts some of the best talent in SA country footy.
After consultation with league insiders and based on this season’s form, we’ve ranked the competition’s top 30 players of 2023.
Undefeated side Two Wells had five players mentioned, while Mallala, Angle Vale and Balaklava were also well-represented.
Here are our rankings from number 30 to 1.
30. NATHAN WARREN
(Virginia)
A standout midfielder for Virginia this year, Warren has been a beast in the contest for the Rams.
Always hard at it and willing to put his head over the ball to win possessions for his side.
Warren has seven best player appearances and a goal in his nine games so far.
29. XANDER BATES
(Angle Vale)
A versatile midfielder/forward, Bates has been a standout for Angle Vale this year.
Possesses consistent kicking skills on either side of his body whether it is in front of goal or finding teammates around the ground.
Has four best player nods and eight goals in nine games.
28. JAYDEN HENDRY
(Balaklava)
A consistent mid for the Peckers who also played Interleague this season, Hendry has been one of his club’s best in 2023.
Hendry can hit the contest hard on the ball or move up front to impact the scoreboard and often creates for teammates with elite disposal.
Has seven goals and five best player nods in nine games.
27. ARCHIE YELLAND
(Hummocks-Watchman)
One of the most promising youngsters in the competition, Yelland has been a reliable backman and mid for the Eagles.
Has a great feel for the game and reads play well to cut off attacks in the air and start attacking moves for his side.
Has five best player mentions and two goals in nine games.
26. JACOB KAJANTO
(Angle Vale)
Kajanto has been a consistent player along the flanks and through the middle for Angle Vale.
The former South Adelaide player uses his athleticism and reliable disposal to damage teams.
Has six best player appearances and four goals in nine games.
25. SAM ANGUS
(Mallala)
An improved player in the contest who has performed at his best against some of the competition’s top sides this year.
Angus has a big tank and provides reliable support around the ground, always finding time and space with the ball and making the right decisions.
Has six best player nods and three goals in nine games.
24. LACHLAN HENDRY
(Balaklava)
A young prospect for Balaklava, Hendry has emerged as a promising onballer who can also drop back.
A tough player inside who has no trouble winning his own footy and finding teammates in better positions.
Has five best player mentions in nine games and was also selected for Interleague.
23. HENRY MCCABE
(Hamley Bridge)
A versatile player for Hamley Bridge, McCabe has been a major standout for the Bombers in season 2023.
McCabe competes consistently in the air and can play a strong role behind the ball or along the flanks, but can also move up the ground and play consistently as a forward option.
Has two goals and five best player nods in nine games.
22. DAVID HAYDON
(Two Wells)
Haydon would be ranked higher if he had played more than four games so far this season, but despite missing some footy this year, he still has a big impact at the back or up front for the Roosters.
The star utility is the best fullback in the competition when playing at the back, using his strength and athleticism to shut down almost any forward, taking strong marks and using the ball well out of the back half.
Can also pinch-hit as a reliable target forward and has kicked five goals to go with two best player nods in four games.
21. LUKE TAYLOR
(Hamley Bridge)
Arriving from PHOS Camden in the pre-season, Taylor has been in strong form for Hamley Bridge this year.
The Bombers gun is a promising midfielder who reads the play well and can also slot in up front or have an impact dropping behind the ball.
Has seven goals and seven best player mentions in nine games.
20. HUDSON EELES
(United)
A standout midfielder who joined United from South Gawler in the pre-season, Eeles has been among the Tigers’ best this year.
Eeles works hard in the contest and attacks the footy fearlessly to win possessions for his side and begin attacks out of the middle.
Has five best player appearances and three goals in nine games.
19. JAYDEN RUEDIGER
(Angle Vale)
Ruediger often flies under the radar for Angle Vale but his presence on the ball and in the contest has been important for his second placed side this year.
A scrappy player who does the dirty work for his team and keeps a cool head under pressure, Ruediger has the ability to win the ball in the contest and find teammates in space under pressure.
Has five best player nods and two goals in his nine games this year.
18. JAMES DALY
(Hummocks-Watchman)
Daly’s impact through the midfield has been as important as ever this year.
A skilled player who competes in the contest and always has time on the ball to make the right decisions, Day has tallied five best player nods in six games.
Finished fifth in the Mail Medal count last season.
17. DYLAN WISE
(Two Wells)
Two Wells’ captain has led from the front for his side yet again this year and still remains among the competition’s best players.
Wise’s ability to dominate on the ball or hit the scoreboard up front makes him a weapon for the Roosters and he boasts great composure in the contest.
Has five goals and four best player nods in his nine games.
16. JAKOB THOMSON
(Two Wells)
A reliable forward returning to his former club from Central District this year, Thomson has had a major impact for Two Wells.
A strong target who takes big marks against some of the competition’s best defenders and can kick goals from anywhere.
Has 23 majors and four best player nods in nine games.
15. TOMMY-LEE RUSSO
(Virginia)
A star key forward who arrived from Woodville South ahead of this season, Russo has been Virginia’s top player.
Russo is a strong target with a safe set of hands and great finishing ability in front of goal who can also set-up teammates with accurate disposal.
Has 30 majors and four best player nods in nine games.
14. KALE OLDS
(Mallala)
The league’s premier ruckman, Olds has played at a top level for Mallala yet again this year.
The big man’s work in the ruck is second to none and he has no issue giving his mids first use with consistent tap-work.
Also covers the ground well and kicks goals, with five majors to go with his six best player nods in six games this year.
13. TOM CHAPMAN
(Balaklava)
A consistent star for Balaklava, Chapman’s impact on the ball has been integral to his side’s success in recent years.
A strong player who can take big grabs in the air or win contested footy at ground level, Chapman can play a number of roles across the ground and excel.
Has six best player nods and three goals in nine games so far.
12. JAKE TILLER
(Mallala)
A gun onballer who can play a number of roles around the ground, Tiller has been one of Mallala’s most improved and reliable players in 2023.
A tireless player who is hard at the contest and applies relentless tackle pressure or wins important possessions in the middle for his side.
Has seven best player mentions and a goal in nine games.
11. CHAD RUIZ
(Balaklava)
Ruiz has put together a strong run of games this year to become one of Balaklava’s most important players.
An efficient mid with a big tank and the ability to find teammates under pressure, Ruiz does damage in a number of ways and will be integral for the Peckers moving forward.
Has six best player nods and three goals in nine games.
10. ANGUS JUDD
(Hamley Bridge)
A star along the flanks, Judd is one of the best runners in the Adelaide Plains FL and has been damaging for the Bombers.
An athletic and explosive player, Judd sets up teammates with rebound attacks with accurate disposal and can also rack up forward 50 entries.
Has four best player nods and two goals in eight games so far.
9. CALEB EDMEAD
(Two Wells)
Edmead has followed a strong 2022 season with a terrific 2023 campaign so far.
Leading the league in goals, Edmead has the ability to win endless contests up front and boot bags of majors for the Roosters.
Has 37 goals in his eight games so far and is on track to beat his total of 61 last season.
Was also among the APFL’s top players in Interleague recently.
8. JACK MAY
(Mallala)
A rising young star at Mallala, Jack May has made his mark on the competition in season 2023.
May is a former underage player for Woodville-West Torrens and has been a standout through the contest for the Magpies this year, adding speed and attack on the footy.
Has seven best player nods in nine games and three goals in his nine games so far and was also an important Interleague player.
7. ETHAN KWATERSKI
(Hummocks-Watchman)
A star at centre for a number of years in the APFL, Kwaterski has been dominant throughout his time with Hummocks-Watchman Eagles.
An athletic and skilled player with a big tank, Kwaterski remains one of the hardest players to stop in the competition with his ability to win the ball anywhere and also boot goals.
Has 11 goals and seven best player mentions in his eight games so far.
6. ZAC ECKERMANN
(Mallala)
Eckermann has been one of Mallala’s up and coming stars in recent years but has reached another level through this season so far.
A valuable asset for the Magpies through the middle, Eckermann racks up disposals and can also move up the ground to hit the scoreboard, using his awareness and decision-making to have an impact.
Has seven best player appearances and 11 goals in eight games.
5. BEAU SHINNICK
(Angle Vale)
One of the best on-ballers in the league, Shinnick is in the midst of another strong season for second spot Angle Vale.
A tireless worker who possesses strong aerial ability and smooth skills on the ball, Shinnick has six goals and five best player nods in his eight games so far.
Was also one of the standout players in the APFL’s interleague games against the Yorke Peninsula FL and Northern Areas FA.
4. LUKE BARNETT
(Two Wells)
Barnett remains a force in the APFL and has played a significant part in his side’s undefeated start to the 2023 season.
A Mail Medallist in 2021, Barnett has dominated on the ball with his hard work in the contest and ability to explode from packs and either hit the scoreboard or set his side up for scoring opportunities.
Has 16 goals in his nine games so far to go along with six best player nods.
3. ANGUS ROWNTREE
(United)
Joining former Woodville-West Torrens teammate Jarred Allmond at the Tigers, Rowntree has been one of the competition’s best through the middle since arriving from Reynella.
Rowntree is a hard-nosed player who attacks the footy relentlessly in the contest and deals to teammates with ease by either hand or foot.
Has eight best player appearances in his eight games so far this year and has also hit the scoreboard for three goals.
2. LACHLAN MICHAEL
(Balaklava)
The reigning APFL Mail Medallist, Michael has produced at a high level for Balaklava yet again this season.
The Peckers captain is a force across half-forward and can also impact the game through the middle, using his athleticism and strength to compete in the air and at ground level.
Can finish as well in front of goal as anyone in the competition and has 14 goals in nine games to go along with seven best player nods.
1. JARRED ALLMOND
(United)
Signing with United as playing-coach after a starring premiership career with Woodville-West Torrens, Allmond has been dominant in the APFL and one of the major factors in his new club’s turnaround.
A natural leader with the ability to excel in the middle and also play multiple other roles around the ground, Allmond is adept with distribution off of both sides and always makes the right decisions on the ball.
Can also move up the ground and impact the scoreboard, with seven goals to go with his eight best player nods in nine games so far.
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