Barossa Light and Gawler’s top 40 footballers of 2024 ranked
The Barossa Light and Gawler Football Association features some of the best country footballers in SA, so we’ve ranked the competition’s top 40 players for 2024. See who made the cut.
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The Barossa Light and Gawler Football Association has been one of South Australia’s top country footy competitions for years and has no shortage of top drawer talent.
Based on this season’s form and with the help of league insiders, we’ve ranked the top 40 players in the competition for 2024.
Reigning premier South Gawler led the way for representation with seven players, while current top side Tanunda had six players recognised.
Here are our rankings from no. 40 to 1.
40. JOSEPH FENWICK
(South Gawler)
An up and coming young star of the BLG.
Fenwick is a talented midfielder/wing who utilises his elite leg speed and reliable delivery to do damage for the Lions.
Has four best player mentions and 11 goals through 10 games and was among the BLGFA’s best in interleague.
39. BEN HEINRICH
(Freeling)
Heinrich has been standout at centre half-forward for Freeling this season.
A strong, old-fashioned forward who leads the league in contested marking, Heinrich is an inspirational leader for the Redlegs.
Has two best player nods and 11 goals through nine games.
38. JACKSON DOCHERTY
(Tanunda)
Docherty has emerged as a standout for Tanunda across defence and in the middle.
A hard on-ball defender who attacks the contest fearlessly, Docherty is a top pressure player in the competition.
Has six best player nods in 10 games.
37. LACHLAN WEBB
(Barossa District)
One of the best rucks in the BLG, Webb has been dominant for Barossa District this year.
Has a big presence in the contest and possesses great skills as a big man.
Webb has six best player mentions in nine games so far.
36. PATRICK WHITE
(South Gawler)
An important leader for South Gawler who steps it up in the big games.
White is a strong and athletic backman who quells a number of attacks in the air and also possesses the ability to move up front and dominate as a skilled key forward.
Has two best player performances and six goals through his eight games and also played interleague.
35. HENRY BENNISON
(South Gawler)
Bennison has stepped it up a level in season 2024 as the Lions aim for back-to-back flags.
Has emerged as one of South Gawler’s most important midfielders who finds plenty of the footy, sets his teammates up and also kicks goals.
Has 16 majors and seven best player nods in nine games.
34. HEATH GROWDEN
(Willaston)
A young first-year player who has put his name on the BLG map.
Tall and a smooth mover, Growden can contribute at a high level in the middle and along the flanks with his ability to damage opposition with run and carry.
Has five best player mentions and four goals in 10 games.
33. HARRY WUTTKE
(Kapunda)
Wuttke has stepped up for Kapunda to become one of his side’s best mids in 2024.
A tireless worker around the ground who finds plenty of the footy and is efficient by hand and foot.
Has six best player nods and give goals through nine games.
32. JONATHON ROSS
(Freeling)
One of the best utilities in the competition, Ross has been as important as ever for the Redlegs.
Can play in the ruck where his presence is felt around the ground or play as a key forward and hit the scoreboard.
Has 10 goals and six best player nods in 10 games.
31. CODY GILCHRIST
(South Gawler)
An exciting tall forward for South Gawler, Gilchrist made the BLGFA team of the year last season as a teenager.
Standing at six feet and six inches tall, Gilchrist is an unselfish player who has starred for the Lions with his ability to take big marks, boot goals from anywhere and set up teammates.
Has 13 majors in 10 games as well as four best player nods.
30. LEWIS COWHAM
(Tanunda)
Cowham played 11 SANFL League games for Central District last season before returning to Tanunda this year.
A smooth midfielder with reliable skills who is a great decision-maker under pressure.
Has seven best player mentions and nine goals in nine games.
29. BRAD MITCHELL
(Gawler Central)
Acting captain for Gawler Central this season, Mitchell has been a star for his side.
A classy midfielder for Centrals who always finds space and delivers to teammates efficiently.
Has been among his side’s best in seven of his nine games.
28. BRAD HOEPNER
(Nuriootpa)
Hoepner remains one of the competition’s most dangerous players in 2024.
A hardworking defender and midfielder who provides constant run and carry and elite distribution.
Has been a standout through his handful of appearances for the Tigers this year while also representing Olympic Dam in the Far North FL.
27. TOM CORCORAN
(Angaston)
Former Port Adelaide Magpie Corcoran has been one of Angaston’s most important players this season.
Corcoran’s ability to take over a game from the backline and have an impact through the middle with contested ball work makes him a star.
Has six best player nods and three goals in nine games.
26. NICK MADDEN
(Nuriootpa)
Playing-coach of the Tigers this season, Madden has been a star defender for his side.
A former Port Adelaide gun, Madden can do a job on any forward in the league and is a tireless competitor in the air and at ground level.
Has Nuri sitting just a game below top spot and will be an important influence come finals.
25. NICK LEHMAN
(Willaston)
A skilled key forward for Willaston, Lehman has put together a strong 2024 so far.
Started the season brilliantly with bags of 10, nine, six and five goals through his first six games but remains in doubt for the rest of the season with a knee injury.
Currently leads the league with 37 goals.
24. SCOTT TAYLOR
(Kapunda)
A pure workhorse through the middle for Kapunda.
Taylor is a tireless midfielder who accumulates the footy at a high rate and sets up his teammates ahead of the ball.
Has seven best player mentions through his nine appearances.
23. RUNE GILFOY
(Tanunda)
Starring as a key defender this season, Gilfoy is putting together another strong campaign for the Magpies.
The former Sturt man boasts great overhead skills and is a reliable distributor off of the backline.
Has five best player nods and two goals in 10 games.
22. MITCH NORTON
(Nuriootpa)
Norton remains one of the standout key defenders in the BLG competition, providing important security and composure for the Tigers.
Norton controls the backline, intercepting countless entries in the air and delivering to teammates at a high efficiency.
He has tallied six best player nods in 10 games.
21. GAVIN SHEPHARD
(Angaston)
A well-known star during his time with Port District in the Adelaide Footy League, Shephard has been impressive for Angaston since joining this year.
Averaging over two goals a game at centre half-forward, Shephard can also take spectacular grabs and set his teammates up with reliable delivery.
Has three best player performances and 21 goals in 10 games and starred in interleague.
20. TYSON IRLAM
(Willaston)
The star Donnybrooks mid has been a standout yet again this year, accumulating disposals for fun and leading his side to finals contention.
Irlam is a multiple-time Central Zone representative in the SA Country Championships and has shown why in 2024, hitting the contest hard and kicking goals almost every week.
Has five best player nods in 10 games and has also booted 11 goals.
19. ETHAN GANT
(Barossa District)
Returning to SA from country Victoria, Gant has hit the ground running for Barossa District this season.
A dynamic midfielder with impressive pace and skill.
Gant has seven best player appearances and four goals in eight games.
18. AUSTIN POULTON
(Freeling)
Poulton finished third in the 2023 Mail Medal count as a 19-year-old and has continued his form this year.
A smooth mover through the midfield with a reliable kick, Poulton has been the key to the Redlegs midfield.
Has five best player performances and eight goals through 10 appearances.
17. RYAN WILLIAMS
(Gawler Central)
A top key defender in the competition this season.
Williams can impress against any forward in the league with his ability to create a contest in the air and at ground level.
Has six best player nods in eight games and was a standout in interleague.
16. STEVE SUMMERTON
(Angaston)
The former Port Adelaide star has continued his dominant career in the BLG this season.
Summerton is an incredible stoppage player with elite skills and the ability to find teammates anywhere around the ground.
Has seven best player mentions and eight goals in 10 games.
15. JACKSON PRESS
(South Gawler)
Press has been back to his best this season as South Gawler aims for a second consecutive premiership.
The Lions gun is a damaging halfback who is strong over the footy and has an elite kick.
Has eight best player nods and seven goals in 10 games.
14. CAMPBELL WILDMAN
(Tanunda)
Wildman joined Tanunda for 2024 after a dominant year for Prince Alfred OC in the AdFL during which he won the division one flag.
The former Sturt and Port Adelaide man is a smooth midfielder with impressive skills and a good footy IQ.
Has four best player nods through his seven games so far.
13. RHYS CANNIZZARO
(Nuriootpa)
Moving back to his home club after time at Central District, Canizzaro has been a big boost for the Tigers.
A big-bodied midfielder who dominates at stoppage and racks up clearances for his side.
Has eight best player mentions and seven goals in 10 games.
12. ETHAN KWATERSKI
(Angaston)
Last season’s Adelaide Plains FL winner, Kwaterski made the move to Angaston this year and has hit the ground running after a pre-season with West Adelaide.
A tall onballer who wins plenty of his own footy, deals to teammates well under pressure and can move up the ground tio impact the scoreboard.
Has 10 goals and seven best player performances in 10 games.
11. LACHLAN ARNOLD
(South Gawler)
A young ruckman making his way as one of the premier bigs in the competition and in SA country football as a whole, Arnold has been integral to the recent Lions’ success.
A hard worker who takes big grabs and also sets midfielders up with consistent tap work, Arnold was best on ground in last season’s BLG grand final and also a standout in the country championships.
Has four best player performances in 10 games so far.
10. JACK CARPENTER
(Barossa District)
Carpenter returned to home club Barossa District for this season and has been a standout key position player.
Mostly spending time up front this year, Carpenter boasts a fantastic marking ability and can finish goals from anywhere, or go back and defend at a high level.
Has seven best player nods and 16 goals in nine games.
9. BRAD INGLIS
(Freeling)
Arriving from the Essendon District League this year, Ingles has done damage as a silky forward who can also have an impact through the middle.
Is clean by hand and foot and wins plenty of his own ball through strong pressure while also creating a number of goalkicking opportunities.
Has 35 majors and seven best player nods in nine games.
8. JUSTIN HOSKIN
(Willaston)
Another star mid/forward utility in the BLG, Hoskin has produced a strong 2024 so far.
The former Central District player has found his feet at the Donnybrooks and is now hitting the scoreboard with ease.
Has 19 majors and seven best player nods through his 10 games.
7. BRENDAN DEW
(Barossa District)
The former Central District midfielder has been on a tear for Barossa this season.
A tireless asset in the middle for the Bulldogs, Dew is an accurate kick of the footy and can damage teams by moving up the ground and setting teammates up inside 50.
Has eight best player mentions in nine games to go along with five goals.
6. MATT RANKINE
(Kapunda)
Rankine joined Kapunda from Pooraka in the pre-season and has not disappointed for his new side.
Brother of Crows superstar Izak Rankine, Matt is a dominant midfielder with elite skills and a nose for goal.
Has 13 majors and seven best player nods in eight games and was also a standout for the BLGFA against the Riverland.
5. SHAY LINKE
(Tanunda)
Linke returned to his hometown club after time with Central District in the SANFL and has dominated as a forward/midfield utility.
An athletic and skilled player with impressive overhead ability who can finish goals from anywhere.
Has 30 majors and six best player nods in eight games.
4. NICK GREGURKE
(Nuriootpa)
Nuriootpa’s star onballer this season, Gregurke has put together a fantastic 2024 campaign so far.
A hardworking player with a great set of hands, Gregurke is a ball magnet who uses the footy exceptionally well and remains a major threat in the air each week.
Has 10 best player nods in 10 games for the Tigers and also has eight majors.
3. ISAYA MCKENZIE
(Willaston)
Back at Willaston full-time after an impressive SANFL career with the Crows, McKenzie has starred for the Donnybrooks in 2024.
A strong and explosive player with supreme skills, McKenzie can play through the middle or up front to great effect.
Has 11 goals and five best player performances in nine games and was best on ground against the Riverland with five goals.
2. STEVE BURTON
(South Gawler)
The winner of the last two BLG Mail Medals, Burton has starred for the Lions through the midfield again this year.
A tough player who runs all day and finds plenty of the footy, Burton always makes the right decisions and can take over a game with his execution.
Has five best player nods and 18 goals in eight games and also played SANFL footy for Adelaide this year.
1. SAM COLQUHOUN
(Tanunda)
Ranking at number one in our list last season, Colquhoun reclaims the top spot behind a brilliant 2024 campaign so far as Tanunda’s playing-coach.
The Magpies midfielder has guided his club to top spot through his standout play and leadership, dominating the contest, cutting opposing defences up with his disposal and also hitting the scoreboard.
The former Port Adelaide and Sturt star has 11 goals and five best player performances in nine games.
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