Local SA footy’s 30 top performing signings of 2024 ranked
The 2024 local SA footy season is in full swing and a number of big names have impressed at their new clubs. See our rankings of the 30 top performing signings of the year so far.
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The local SA footy season is in full swing and a number of players have starred at new clubs to start their 2024 campaigns.
With the season now over a month old, we’ve analysed the state’s country and suburban competitions to rank the top performing signings so far.
Here is our list from 30 to 1.
30. HARLEE CHANDLER
(Cummins Rambler)
A dominant young gun through the midfield and up front, Chandler has provided a big boost for Cummins Rambler in the Great Flinders Football League.
An explosive and athletic player with great overhead ability, Chandler is an exceptional user of the footy who can slot in through the middle or produce as a forward.
Has two best player performances and two goals in his three games so far.
29. DYLAN WEAVER
(Gumeracha)
After a number of successful SANFL League years with Central District, the versatile Weaver joined reigning Hills Country Division premier Gumeracha and has started as well as the Magpies would have hoped.
An excellent user of the footy who can play around the ground for his side, Weaver has three best player mentions and seven goals in his four games so far.
28. DECLAN FAHEY
(Glenunga)
A promising utility who can play a number of roles, former North Adelaide League and Reserves footballer Fahey has fit Nathan Grima’s Glenunga side well so far this season.
Fahey is a strong player who is reliable overhead and accurate by hand or foot and can also hit the scoreboard.
Has two best player nods and five goals in five games.
27. JAIDYN MEAD
(Modbury)
A star young gun for Norwood last season, Mead joined Modbury after a couple reserves appearances for Hectorville in 2023 and has emerged as a bright young talent.
Mead is 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 five AdFL division two games.
26. RORY TAGGERT
(Mypolonga)
Taggert made the move to Mypolonga after a number of years with Naracoorte in the KNTFL and he has not disappointed for the Tigers.
The star forward has been a reliable option around the ground and has damaged a number of sides with his marking and set shot ability.
Has 15 goals through five games to go along with two best player nods, trailing only Josh Scott as the RMFL leading goalkicker.
25. CHRIS KNAPP
(Eastern Park)
Knapp has been a dominant force in division six of the Adelaide Footy League since returning to Eastern Park from Loxton this year.
The Demons midfield/forward utility has put together the strongest start to a season in his career, booting 49 goals through just five games so far.
A strong player with a damaging kick, Knapp has also been among his side’s best in all five of his appearances.
24. BRYCE GIBBS
(Victor Harbor)
Gibbs started his Victor Harbor career after three rounds but has been a standout through his first two performances after playing a number of roles.
The former Carlton, Adelaide and South Adelaide star has produced as a midfielder, halfback and forward so far with his footy smarts and efficient execution allowing him to excel anywhere.
Has four goals through his two games and booted three against Mount Compass last weekend.
23. NATHAN DAVEY
(Mypolonga)
Joining Mypolonga from Naracoorte this year, Davey has provided a boost for the Tigers in the middle of the park.
A tireless worker who is reliable in possession and always makes the right decisions, Davey has four best player nods in five games so far and should be an important presence for the club moving forward.
22. ZACH SPROULE
(Port Noarlunga)
Joining Andrew Jarman’s Port Noarlunga side from South Adelaide this year, Sproule has been dominant as a star forward in the Southern Football League.
The former GWS forward possesses clean skills at ground level and can take big marks up front before finishing with ease.
Has 21 goals in five games to lead the SFL so far this year.
21. CHARLIE PRIDHAM
(Glenunga)
A promising youngster signed by Glenunga from Goodwood for season 2024, Pridham has emerged as one of division one’s most promising players.
Pridham is a smart half back who uses the ball as well as anyone for the Rams and has excelled under Nathan Grima so far.
Has three best player nods and two goals in five games.
20. DANIEL MENZEL
(Coorong)
While he has only played two games so far, Coorong playing-coach Daniel Menzel has been an important part of the club’s strong start to 2024 in the River Murray Football League.
The former Geelong, Sydney and Woodville-West Torrens player was dominant through his first two games for Coorong, booting six goals against Rambler from the middle and controlling the contest against Tailem Bend, but he has also provided a boost with his leadership and guidance.
Has seven goals and a best player nod in two games.
19. KANE SHERLOCK
(Henley)
One of West Adelaide’s most promising players in 2023, Sherlock was a major pick-up for Henley ahead of its 2024 division three season.
The 21-year-old can play a number of roles around the ground and is one of the division’s cleanest players in the contest.
Has three best player nods in five games so far.
18. KAINE STEVENS
(Goodwood)
A big-bodied midfielder who can have an impact around the ground, Stevens has been an important player for Goodwood since arriving from Ouyen United in Victoria.
The former West Adelaide gun can be dominant in the midfield and covers ground as well as anyone.
Has two best player performances and five goals in five games.
17. HENRY BRUCE
(Langhorne Creek)
Arriving from Kadina in the pre-season, Bruce has been Langhorne Creek’s best player so far this Great Southern Football League season.
A strong inside player who is reliable by foot and tough to tackle, Bruce has tallied five best player appearances in five games to go along with four goals.
16. ANGUS POOLE
(Lockleys)
The former Woodville-West Torrens star has been one of Lockleys’ best since signing after a premiership season with Kadina.
Relentless in the contest with slick skills by hand and foot, Poole has been a welcomed addition to a Lockleys side with premiership aspirations in division three of the AdFL.
Has two best player nods and six goals through four games with the Demons.
15. JAMES HARGREAVES
(Coorong)
Coorong’s best performer so far this season, Hargreaves has been an important midfielder for the Cats since his arrival after a dominant year with Yankalilla in the GSFL.
Skilled in the contest and clean by hand and foot, the former Adelaide Footy League div one star has racked up disposals with ease each week.
Has four best player performances and two goals in his four games.
14. CLINT GALLIO
(Mount Burr)
One of the biggest names in South East footy during recent years, Gallio’s move from Millicent to Mount Burr as playing-coach has paid dividends for the Mozzies so far.
A superstar through the middle, Gallio is a contested footy beast who racks up high numbers of disposals each week and applies strong pressure.
Has six majors and four best player nods in four games.
13. ISAYA MCKENZIE
(Willaston)
Arguably the biggest signing of the 2024 Barossa, Light and Gawler FA season, McKenzie has hit the ground running with the Donnybrooks.
A courageous and agile mid who can also create goals for himself and others, McKenzie has been one of the top players in the competition to start the season.
Has three best player nods and four goals in five games.
12. JONATHON BEECH
(Barmera Monash)
The former Crow and West Adelaide key forward has starred for the reigning Riverland FL premier since arriving in the pre-season.
A strong and reliable forward who can take big pack marks and finish majors from anywhere in and around the 50, Beech currently leads the goalkicking in the RFL.
Has 16 goals in three games to go along with three best player mentions.
11. RILEY CLAMP
(Hahndorf)
Joining Hahndorf after another strong season with Strathalbyn in the Great Southern FL and with Adelaide in the SANFL, Clamp has been the injection the Magpies needed up front after their grand final loss in 2023.
An athletic and strong player across the forwardline who can also have an impact around the ground with his marking ability and efficient disposal.
Clamp has booted 21 goals and made three best player appearances in five games.
10. MATT ROSE
(Port District)
The former South Adelaide captain has been a standout in division one of the AdFL since joining Port District in the pre-season.
A workhorse through the midfield who wins plenty of the footy and applies great tackle pressure, Rose has the ability to turn a game for his side.
Has three best player nods in five games so far.
9. JOSEPH HAINES
(Port District)
Another Port District pick-up from South Adelaide, star defender/midfielder utility Joey Haines has been dominant for his new club.
With the ability to cut off a number of entries with important intercept marks and begin rebound attacks with damaging disposal, Haines has been a terror for a number of opposition sides.
Has two best player nods and two goals in five games.
8. LUKE HABEL
(Salisbury North)
Arriving at Salisbury North as new playing-coach this season, the former Central District SANFL League 190-gamer and captain has helped to make the Hawks an early contender in division two of the Adelaide Footy League.
A standout player in the contest who boasts brilliant disposal by hand or foot and is a fantastic leader of his side.
7. ANDREW BRADLEY
(Kybybolite)
Joining Kybybolite along with former Prince Alfred OC teammate Jack Trengove, Bradley has provided a big boost for the Tigers through the middle and up front.
A tireless worker who goes hard in the contest to win his own footy and also has the ability to hit the scoreboard.
Has three best player nods and three goals in three games so far.
6. AARON YOUNG
(Keith)
The star midfield/forward utility and Magarey Medallist has been a force for Keith in the Kowree, Naracoorte Tatiara FL since joining from North Adelaide at the end of season 2023.
Young has dominated as an electric ball-winner through the middle and has also had a significant impact up front.
Has two best player nods and seven goals in four games.
5. BRETT TURNER
(Echunga)
One of the top players in the Hills Football League so far this season, Turner has been dominant as a strong onballer and as a big presence up front.
A bull in the contest, Turner wins a number of contested possessions for Echunga each week and can deal to opponents under pressure with ease.
Has four best player nods and seven goals in four games.
4. SCOTT LYCETT
(Port District)
Joining Port District after retiring from the AFL at the end of season 2023, Lycett has been a major boost for his new side.
The dominant big man has been the best ruckman in the competition so far through consistent tap work and has provided an important presence around the ground as well.
Has two best player performances and a goal through four appearances and should continue to be a key to any Ditters success this year.
3. MATTHEW NUNN
(Payneham Norwood Union)
Joining the Falcons after retiring from Norwood at the end of 2023, the Redlegs premiership captain has been a standout through the midfield.
A reliable user of the footy who wins plenty of his own ball and creates for teammates, Nunn has provided a huge boost for PNU in the early season.
Has five best player nods and two goals in his five games so far.
2. JACK TRENGOVE
(Kybybolite)
The former Melbourne captain and Prince Alfred OC superstar has been dominant since moving back to his hometown club and has been a major reason why Kybybolite has gone from winless in 2023 to KNTFL contenders in 2024.
A tireless midfielder who can play a number of roles and also hit the scoreboard, Trengove, along with Andrew Bradley, has been one of the top players in the competition so far for the Tigers.
Has three best player nods in all three of his appearances so far.
1. BEN HEASLIP
(Victor Harbor)
A versatile star out of South Adelaide who can dominate around the ground, Heaslip has been a force for Victor Harbor in the Great Southern Football League.
Leading the Roos to a brilliant 5-0 start at the top of the ladder, Heaslip has been hard in the contest and one of his side’s best users, combining well with reigning league medallist Jesse McKinnon and former Crow Bryce Gibbs.
Has five best player appearances and seven goals through five games and has been impossible for opposition sides to stop.
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