Barossa Light and Gawler’s top 40 players for 2022 ranked
The Barossa Light and Gawler Football Association features some of the best country footballers in the state, so we’ve ranked the competition’s top 40 players for 2022. See who made the cut.
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The Barossa Light and Gawler Football Association is one of South Australia’s most entertaining country competitions and has no shortage of star talent.
Based on this season’s form and with the help of the association and coaches, The Messenger has ranked the top 40 players in the competition for 2022.
Players who had played less than nine games were ruled ineligible.
Ladder-leader South Gawler is represented with eight players while Nuriootpa and Tanunda also get a nod with five apiece.
Here are our rankings from 40 to 1.
40. PATRICK WHITE
(South Gawler)
White leads the most effective defence in the BL&G, consistently contesting key forwards in the air and on the ground and distributing efficiently out of the back 50.
Also a standout player in the SA Country Championships, White has been among South Gawler’s best players on two separate occasions and also has four goals to his name.
Has not quite matched his 2021 output but still remains one of the competition’s best.
39. HENRY VOIGT
(Tanunda)
The former Sturt big man has had a significant impact since joining Tanunda, helping to lead the club to a top-three spot.
A ruck-forward utility with a safe set of hands and a reliable kick, Voigt can boot bags or service his midfielders to damage the opposition.
Has five appearances among his team’s best on ground this season to go along with 11 goals in 14 games.
38. TRAVIS MUSTER
(Freeling)
Muster’s work at the back has seen him remain as one of the BL&G’s top defenders.
The veteran has no issue marking the competition’s most prominent forwards and ensures the back six stays alert and well-organised.
Muster has been named among the Redlegs’ best in 11 separate games and has also managed to bag two goals in his 16 appearances.
37. DARCY JUDD-SMITH
(South Gawler)
Judd-Smith has been the standout key defender in the BL&G this season.
Strong in the contest and decisive with the ball, his work at the back has been key to the Lions’ successful 2022 campaign.
Has received six mentions among South Gawler’s best in 15 games.
36. BRODIE CORMACK
(Willaston)
A fast-developing young gun, Cormack has been one of the most versatile players in the competition this season.
With the ability to play as a midfielder, a winger, or across half-back, his accurate and penetrating disposal can damage any opposition.
Has six selections among Willaston’s best in his 13 appearances.
35. BRETT KENNEDY
(Gawler Central)
If not for a slow start to the year, the former Central District defender would be higher on this list.
Kennedy provides integral run and carry out of the backline for the Tigers and can also push up the ground to hit the scoreboard.
He has been named one of the side’s best players in six games and has 21 goals in 16 appearances.
34. MICHAEL CLINCH
(Willaston)
A standout half-back in the BL&G competition, Clinch’s veteran presence off of the backline has been invaluable for Willaston.
A former Port Adelaide and North Adelaide player, Clinch has been one of the best intercept defenders during season 2022, picking off opposition attacks and damaging them on the rebound.
Has six appearances among the Donnybrooks’ best in 14 games played.
33. JAMIE WEGNER
(Gawler Central)
Arguably Gawler Central’s most consistent performer this season, Wegner brings courage and toughness at the contest for the Tigers.
The hard-bodied inside midfielder has tallied 12 best player mentions in 15 games this season.
32. SCOTT DUTSCHKE
(Freeling)
The former Central District SANFL 100-gamer and premiership player, Dutschke’s veteran presence in the midfield remains of high importance for Freeling.
Hard at it and efficient by disposal, he has been named among the Redlegs’ best in 10 of his 15 games.
Has also hit the scoreboard for six majors.
31. NATHAN BARTSCH
(South Gawler)
A highly-efficient forward/midfielder, Bartsch has been one of the most dangerous players in the BL&G this season.
Either presenting well in front of goal or setting up his teammates with clean disposal, the Lions star can do damage in multiple ways.
Bartsch has booted 32 goals in 16 games to go along with eight mentions among his side’s best.
30. JOHN GREENSLADE
(Tanunda)
A smooth midfielder who uses the footy at high efficiency, Greenslade has been a standout since arriving at Tanunda this year.
The former Sturt man has been among his side’s best on five occasions and also has eight goals to his name in 11 games.
29. BEN ANTONIE
(Angaston)
A strong mark and a penetrating kick, Antonie plays predominantly as a half-back for the Panthers but can also push up the ground to kick goals.
Antonie has improved as the season has gone on in 2022 and has six appearances among Angaston’s best in his 16 games.
Also has 14 goals, kicking 12 in his last five appearances.
28. JAMES BENTLEY
(Nuriootpa)
Bentley can play various key positions but does most damage as a target forward.
Competent on either side of his body and cool, calm and collected in front of goal, Bentley has 30 majors from 12 games.
Also has three performances among Nuriootpa’s best players.
27. KYLE JENNER
(Nuriootpa)
A SANFL life member and former premiership player, Nuri’s playing-coach has an invaluable knack for dropping back defensively and picking off forward entries with strong marks.
Jenner can also move up the ground and have an impact, with six goals so far this year.
Has his team playing strong footy heading into finals.
26. TYRONE MILERA
(Kapunda)
The younger brother of the Crows’ Wayne Milera, Tyrone plays predominantly as an onballer but can also fill in at half-back.
Milera is one of the Bombers’ best users of the ball, rarely ever missing a target.
Has nine best player mentions in 15 games and has also kicked five goals.
25. NATHAN CASBOULT
(Barossa District)
One of the best defenders in the competition and one of the Bulldogs’ most important players.
Casboult’s standout ability as a key defender is on display each year in the BL&G, the reliable player shutting down forwards and hitting contests hard.
Has been among Barossa District’s best in 12 of his 15 appearances.
24. JACK MILES
(Angaston)
Angaston’s captain has been of high value off half-back this season and also produced strong footy pinch-hitting in the middle.
Miles can run all day and is a ruthless attacker of the contested ball.
Stepped up for the Panthers when midfielders were injured this year and was named among the side’s best in 12 of his 14 appearances.
23. ARI RIGNEY
(Kapunda)
A tough and skilful player, Rigney has been a star in his first season at the Bombers.
The energetic onballer has been dominant at stoppage and one of the competition’s best tacklers.
Rigney has 12 mentions among Kapunda’s best players and has also kicked eight goals.
22. JOSH WALDHUTER
(Willaston)
A strong midfielder who goes hard at the footy and can hit the scoreboard with regularity, Waldhuter does it all for Willaston.
Competent on either side and powerful in possession, Waldhuter has booted 24 goals from 16 games and has seven mentions among Willaston’s best under his belt.
21. STEVE SUMMERTON
(Angaston)
Summerton had a disrupted season but was still dominant for the Panthers when available.
A smooth and skilful inside midfielder who reads the play as well as anyone in the BL&G, the former Port Adelaide Magpies great has seven performances among Angaston’s best and also kicked 13 majors in 13 games.
Could be in the top 10 of this list if not for injury.
20. JOSH WHITTWER
(South Gawler)
The Lions champion and reigning Hurn medallist has only played 11 games this season but has still managed to dominate through the middle.
With an elite kick and a strong eye for goal, Whittwer remains one of the most damaging midfielders in the competition.
Has 20 goals in 11 games and six mentions among his club’s best.
19. LEIGH RYSWYK
(Barossa District)
An explosive player who can be placed along the flanks or in the forwardline, Ryswyk has starred for Barossa.
Ryswyk is a speedy player with flawless skills on either side of his body.
He has 14 goals in 14 games and 10 best player mentions for the Bulldogs.
Was also a standout at the Country Championships.
18. MATT WESTHOFF
(Tanunda)
Younger brother of Justin, Matt Westhoff has been a standout key back in the BL&G this season.
Whestoff is versatile in the backline, playing tight or as an intercept threat, and boasts a long and accurate leg which he can use to move up the ground and hit the scoreboard.
He has been among Tanunda’s best on eight occasions this season to go along with seven goals.
17. DARREN SHILLABEER
(Barossa District)
Another Country Championships standout, Shillabeer has been colossal at centre-half forward for the Bulldogs.
Shillabeer is fast and decisive with ball in hand and has a booming boot, slotting home 47 goals in 16 games this season and also tallying five best player mentions.
16. NICK GREGURKE
(Nuriootpa)
Can play both up front and through the middle, possessing top drawer skills on either foot and a strong goal sense.
Gregurke has played a significant part in the Tigers’ rise to top two on the ladder.
Has kicked 10 goals in 14 appearances and received nine mentions in the side’s best players.
15. JOE BOTTIN
(Gawler Central)
The competition’s standout ruckman in 2022, Bottin’s ability to find teammates with pinpoint tap-work has been second to none.
Uses his big frame to outmuscle opponents and can also take a strong grab and move up front if needed.
Has eight performances among the Tigers’ best players in 13 appearances.
14. BEN HEINRICH
(Freeling)
Captaining the Redlegs this season, Heinrich’s effort up front in a struggling side was colossal.
A strong lead, reliable kick and a contested marking machine, the target forward booted 28 goals in 15 games and was named among Freeling’s best on 10 occasions.
13. JAY SHANNON
(Angaston)
The Panthers’ playing-coach had an exceptional season, leading his side to fifth on the ladder with what was a depleted squad.
A strong midfielder who commits to each contest and runs all day, Shannon featured among Angaston’s best in nine of 14 appearances.
Shannon also kicked 15 goals.
12. JOEY BROWN
(Kapunda)
Formerly with the Crows SANFL side, Brown has made a significant mark since returning to Kapunda.
He plays his best footy on the outside, covering ground with his speed and tank, while also hitting the scoreboard on occasion.
Brown has tallied 14 goals this season as well as nine mentions among the Bombers’ best.
11. JACKSON PRESS
(South Gawler)
Another dominant South Gawler midfielder, Press is one of the best users of the footy in the BL&G competition.
With a strong body and sublime skills off of either foot, Press causes problems for any opponent in the league.
The Lions leader has tallied five goals in 16 games and has been named among the club’s best nine times.
10. MITCH NORTON
(Nuriootpa)
The standout defender in the competition in 2022, Norton’s impact for Nuriootpa cannot be understated.
Norton controls the half-backline, intercepting countless entries in the air and delivering to his teammates with high efficiency.
He has tallied 13 appearances among the Tigers’ best in 16 games.
9. DEAN CUTTING
(South Gawler)
Cutting’s season has been nothing short of outstanding, the veteran forward booting 65 goals in 15 games.
The goalkicking machine is fast on the lead, a safe mar and adept at finishing with either foot.
His standout performance was a 10-goal day against Kapunda in round 15.
8. TYSON IRLAM
(Willaston)
Irlam has been a top echelon player in the BL&G for years, the tireless midfielder standing out for Willaston each week.
Irlam boasts top drawer spatial awareness in the middle and is adept on either foot, making him a pain to mark.
He can also hit the scoreboard, tallying 18 goals for the Donnybrooks in 15 games this year.
Named among his side’s best 11 times.
7. FRASER EVANS
(Kapunda)
A former Jack Oatey medallist with Sturt, Evans has been one of the most consistent contributors throughout the competition.
Playing as a key, namely in defence, for the Bombers, Evans has been sensational as a leader and as a defender.
He remains an elite user of the ball by foot and can often hit a teammate out of defence and through the middle, splitting opposition open in the process.
Evans has 10 mentions among Kapunda’s best in his 11 appearances.
6. BRENDAN DEW
(Barossa District)
One of the premier midfielders in the BL&G, Dew has consistently been one of his side’s standouts this season.
The former Central District man is a clearance monster, moving the ball out of the contest for his side tirelessly.
Has 13 goals from the middle to go along with his 15 best player mentions in 16 games.
5. SCOTT BENTLEY
(Nuriootpa)
A hard midfielder who does not mind getting his hands dirty in the contest, Bentley has put together a fantastic year for Nuriootpa.
Also fast and explosive, as well as decisive by foot, Bentley remains one of the toughest midfielders to stop.
The Tigers star has kicked 17 goals in 15 games this season and has been named among his team’s best performers 12 times.
Played one game in the Country Championships.
4. STEVE BURTON
(South Gawler)
Burton, an SA country team representative against WA this year, has had a monumental 2022 campaign.
Joining South Gawler last season from Central District, his ability to play middle but also put in a shift up front or at the back has been huge for the Lions.
One of the most skilful players in the competition, Burton barely ever puts a foot wrong and has kicked 19 goals in 15 games to go with his eight appearances in the side’s best.
3. ZANE KIRKWOOD
(Tanunda)
The biggest signing in the competition over the offseason, the former Sturt dual Magarey medallist and three-time Fos Williams medallist has hit the ground running at Tanunda.
Kirkwood has helped the Magpies to a top three spot with his ability to win the ball at stoppage and deliver it to a teammate in space almost second to none.
The strong and skilful midfielder can also slot some goals home with 17 majors in 12 games.
Kirkwood also has nine best on ground mentions.
2. FLYNN PISANI
(South Gawler)
South Gawler has only lost two games since Pisani joined the club from Central District with fellow recruits Steve Burton and Dean Cutting.
An elusive onballer who can speed away from the contest and deliver efficiently to teammates in space or to forwards inside the 50 by hand or foot, the Lions star has been a standout each game.
Pisani has 12 goals from 14 games as well as 10 selections among the side’s best.
He was also part of the SA country team which defeated WA.
1. SAM COLQUHOUN
(Tanunda)
Tanunda’s star playing-coach would undoubtedly be one of the favourites for the Mail Medal this season.
The former Sturt star has completely controlled games from the centre and has also done significant damage resting up front.
Colquhoun is a strong-bodied player who can win his own footy and distribute with the best of them.
He is also an outstanding finisher in front of goal.
Has a remarkable total of 30 goals in 16 games to go along with his 10 best on ground mentions.
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