Adelaide Plains Football League top 30 players of 2024 ranked
The Adelaide Plains Football League is filled with country footy talent so we’ve ranked the competition’s top 30 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 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 2024.
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. JACK MCARDLE
(United)
A tireless worker in the contest, McArdle has been one of United’s most valuable players in a tough season so far.
Competes as well as anyone in the air and at ground level to win contested possessions for his side and is also efficient on either side.
Has five best player mentions in six games.
29. 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 three best player mentions in five games.
28. ZAC ECKERMANN
(Mallala)
Eckermann has been one of Mallala’s up and coming stars in recent years and has been a standout for the Magpies again this year.
A valuable asset 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 two best player appearances and nine goals in six games.
27. TOM MICHAEL
(Balaklava)
A big improver for Balaklava this season, Michael’s presence through the middle and up front has been huge for the Peckers.
A tireless player who covers ground as well as anyone and provides a secure presence for his side, Michael has four best player nods and four goals in his seven games.
26. SCOTT MUMFORD
(Angle Vale)
A former star goalkicker with Southern Eagles, Mumford has starred for Angle Vale since arriving at the club in 2023.
One of the most versatile players in the APFL, Mumford can dominate in the contest or provide a presence up front if needed.
Has four best player performances and a goal in seven games.
25. ELIJAH FOSTER
(Hummocks-Watchman)
One of the league’s most improved players so far this season, Foster continues to develop into a star for the Eagles.
A mid who can also play back, Foster can be a terror in the contest for opposition sides with his ability to win the ball and deal to teammates.
Has four best player performances in seven games.
24. MARQUES GRAHAM
(Virginia)
Arriving from Gumeracha in the pre-season, Graham has dominated for the Rams in the contest and along the flanks.
Graham has one of the best tanks in the competition, producing defensively and in attack.
Has five best player nods and a goal in seven games.
23. 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 and can also hit the scoreboard.
Has four best player appearances and four goals in seven games.
22. TAIT NOTTLE
(Hummocks-Watchman)
Joining the Eagles for season 2024, Nottle has been a standout for his new side as a star midfielder and forward.
A tough player who hits the contest hard and covers ground as well as anyone in the competition.
Has two best player nods and 12 goals in six games.
21. 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 four goals and two best player nods in his six games.
20. TREY MASON
(Mallala)
Mason’s work on the ball has been important for Mallala as it aims to contend for another flag.
An explosive and skilful mid who can burst from packs and hit teammates with disposal or kick goals himself.
Has tallied six goals and four best-player nods in seven games and also played interleague.
19. EDWARD MCCABE
(Hamley Bridge)
Hamley Bridge young gun Edward McCabe has improved on his performance from last season to become one of the most important players for his side this year.
A smart player in the contest who has quick hands and a damaging boot, McCabe has five best player nods and four goals in seven games.
18. DAVID HAYDON
(Two Wells)
Haydon is the best fullback in the competition when playing across the defence, 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 play up front when needed as a strong target.
Has two best player performances and two goals in his five games so far.
17. 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 and also applies strong tackle pressure.
Has five best player mentions in seven games and was also selected for Interleague.
16. HENRY MCCABE
(Hamley Bridge)
A versatile player for Hamley Bridge, McCabe has been a major standout for the Bombers in season 2024.
McCabe competes consistently in the air and can play a strong role behind the ball or along the flanks with his damaging run and ball use.
Has two goals and five best player nods in seven games.
15. JAMES DALY
(Hummocks-Watchman)
Daly’s impact through the midfield has been as important as ever so far this season.
A skilled player who competes in the contest and always has time on the ball to make the right decisions, Day has tallied four best player nods and a goal in seven games.
14. KALE OLDS
(Mallala)
Olds has played at a top level for Mallala through the ruck 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 can kick goals, with three majors to go with his five best player nods in seven games this year.
13. LEIGH RYSWYK
(Angle Vale)
A damaging small forward, Ryswyk has been key to Angle Vale’s success so far this year after joining the club from Barossa District.
The former North Adelaide gun and state representative has been a regular high goalkicker in local footy and currently has 13 majors in seven games.
Also has four best player nods.
12. DANIEL KAIPARA
(Virginia)
Arriving at Virginia after a strong year with Modbury in Division three of the Adelaide Footy League, Kaipara has been a standout despite his new team’s struggles.
A skilled player who can produce in a number of ways whether he is kicking goals in the forwardline or dominate in the inside contest, Kaipara gas five best player nods and seven goals in seven games.
11. LACHLAN MICHAEL
(Balaklava)
The 2021 APFL Medallist, Michael has produced at a strong level for Balaklava yet again this season.
The Peckers captain can be a force in the contest, using his athleticism and strength to compete in the air and at ground level.
Can also finish efficiently in front of goal when needed, with four majors and four best player mentions in his seven games so far.
10. AUSTIN REDDEN
(Hamley Bridge)
A star player for Hamley Bridge last season, Redden has been a standout yet again for the Bombers in 2024.
Redden is a tireless player who works hard in the contest and can also damage opposition up front with reliable delivery and finishing ability.
Has five best player nods and seven goals in seven games.
9. JHYE MCCONNELL
(Angle Vale)
Joining Angle Vale from South Clare in the pre-season, McConnell has been a standout performer in the ruck for his new club.
An athletic player who gives his players first look in the contest and can also do damage around the ground.
Has six best player appearances and one goal in six games.
8. CALEB EDMEAD
(Two Wells)
The star playing-coach of the Roosters, Edmead has been a force in the competition yet again this season.
A crafty and athletic plater who is strong overhead and a reliable set shot, Edmead has the ability to win endless contests up front and boot bags of majors for the Roosters.
Has 23 goals in his seven games so far.
7. JACK HEASLIP
(Mallala)
An important leader for Mallala, Heaslip has been a standout in a number of roles for his club.
Possesses the ability to dominate through the middle and also win important contested possessions behind the ball.
Has five best player nods and a goal for the Magpies.
6. LACHLAN MITCHELL
(Angle Vale)
A versatile star for Angle Vale, Mitchell has been one of the major standouts of the APFL so far in 2024.
Provides strong run and carry, relentless tackle pressure and the ability to set his teammates up with goalkicking opportunities through his accurate disposal.
Has six best player mentions and four goals in seven games.
5. SAM MICHAEL
(Balaklava)
Former Woodville-West Torrens player Michael has been at his best so far this season as a tough and relentless player in the middle for the Peckers.
A strong player who wins plenty of his own footy and is efficient by hand or foot under pressure, Michael has been one of the competition’s best in 2024.
Has six goals and six best player nods in seven games.
4. WILL PAYNTER
(Mallala)
A consistent superstar for Mallala, Paynter has arguably been his side’s most important player so far this season.
Son of former Glenelg star and Sturt captain John Paynter, Will is one of the most skilled players in the APFL who has the ability to win plenty of the contested footy, take strong marks and deal to teammates efficiently.
Has four best player performances in his six games so far.
3. LUKE BARNETT
(Two Wells)
Barnett remains a huge 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 and up front with his ability to win the contested footy or overwhelm defenders with his physicality and athleticism and hit the scoreboard.
Has 28 goals in his seven games so far – a league best – to go along with five best player nods.
2. JARRED ALLMOND
(United)
Signing with United as playing-coach last season after a starring premiership career with Woodville-West Torrens, Allmond has been dominant in the APFL.
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 six best player nods in six games so far.
1. JAKOB THOMSON
(Two Wells)
A reliable forward during his time with Central District, Thomson has been dominant as a ruck/forward utility since returning to Two Wells.
An SA Country representative last season, Thomson is a strong and athletic player who covers ground as well as anyone and can take over a game with his tap work and all-round ability.
Has nine majors and seven best player nods in seven games.
Adelaide Footy League club lands superstar signing for 2025
A local SA footy star and former SANFL captain and premiership player has joined an Adelaide Footy League club on the rise for season 2025.
Read more
Bartel’s best: Saints legend lists top teammates, opponents in stellar career
A Goodwood Saints legend has looked back on his career and picked his top opponents and teammates after being named as the top Adelaide Footy League player of the 21st Century.
Read more