Local SA footy’s next 50 best players of 2023 ranked
We’ve ranked our top 150 local SA footballers of 2023 across the state’s country and suburban competitions and now we’ve got the 50 who were unlucky not to make it. See who made the cut.
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Local SA footy’s country and suburban competitions have long been full of top drawer talent and this season has been no exception.
With the end of the season fast-approaching, we’ve drawn from almost every competition across SA to rank the state’s top 200 players.
Last week we ranked the top 150 stars of the 2023 season, so this week we’ve ranked the 50 players who were unlucky not to make that list.
Here are our rankings from 50 to 1.
50. ETHAN KWATERSKI
(Hummocks Watchman, Adelaide Plains Football League)
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 best player appearances and 18 goals in 15 games and won this year’s APFL Mail Medal.
49. JAYDEN DAVIS
(Prince Alfred OC, Adelaide Footy League)
Currently the top goalkicker in division one, Davis has been huge for PAOC since arriving from Glenelg.
A strong target with a safe set of hands, Davis can boot goals from anywhere in and around the forward 50.
Has 53 goals and two best player performances through 20 games.
48. TOM CORCORAN
(Angaston, Barossa, Light and Gawler Football Association)
Arriving from Port District at the end of last season, former Port Adelaide Magpie Corcoran has been one of Angaston’s most important players.
Still a Port Adelaide top-up this year, Corcoran’s ability to take over a game from the middle with contested ball work and delivery inside 50 makes him a star.
Has nine best player nods and six goals in 11 games.
47. MITCH MEAD
(Seaton Ramblers, Adelaide Footy League)
Joining the Ramblers after time with Woodville-West Torrens, Mead has produced at a high level in division three.
A tough and gritty player who has no problem winning the footy in the contest for his club, Mead often rises to the occasion against the competition’s best.
10 best player nods and nine goals through 16 games.
46. LOUIS DE MICHELE
(Imperial, River Murray Football League)
The RMFL’s top ruckman, De Michele has started this season in hot form after a fantastic 2022 campaign.
Extremely mobile for his size and an aerobic beast who never stops running, De Michele feeds his midfielders with ease and reads the play as well as anyone to take big intercept marks.
Has 13 best player appearances and six goals in 16 games.
45. ADAM COCKSHELL
(Freeling, Barossa, Light and Gawler Football Association)
A former SANFL League footballer for Norwood and Port Adelaide Power squad member, Cockshell is still the best ruckman in the league.
Cockshell out-rucks most other bigs in the competition with elite tap-work for his midfielders and can also take big grabs down the line for his side.
Nine best player performances in 13 games.
44. JOEY BROWN
(Kapunda, Barossa, Light and Gawler Football Association)
Kapunda’s standout player this season, Brown has been on top of his game.
A skilled midfielder who cannot only win contested possessions but find space on the outside and damage teams with carry and distribution.
The former Crows SANFL player has 11 best player mentions and nine goals in 13 games.
43. JAKE ANDERSON
(Noarlunga, Southern Football League)
Anderson has continued as a dominant utility this season and will be key to Noarlunga’s finals run.
The Shoes captain – who has also featured for South Adelaide in recent years – does his best work winning contested footy and clearances while also managing to hit the scoreboard on the odd occasion.
Has 14 best player nods and five goals in 18 games.
42. PATRICK DAVIES
(Mypolonga, River Murray Football League)
Kalangadoo’s star player made the move to the RMFL in the pre-season and has been a force for the Tigers through the middle and up front.
A workhorse who can dominate the contest and impact the scoreboard, Davies can take control of a game and single-handedly will his side to a result.
The former North Adelaide man has 10 best player appearances and 11 goals in 16 games.
41. RUNE GILFOY
(Tanunda, Barossa, Light and Gawler Football Association)
The Sturt premiership player joined former Double Blues teammate Sam Colquhoun at the Magpies for this season and has been exceptional as a key defender and utility in the BLG.
A big presence at the back who can lock down any opposition forward with strong marks or spoil work, Gilfoy can also switch to a key forward role and hit the scoreboard.
Nine best player performances and nine goals in 16 games.
40. MICHAEL KRIEGER
(Casterton Sandford, Western Border Football League)
Making the move from reigning MSEFL premier Kalangadoo to WBFL side Casterton Sandford after a 92-goal season, Krieger has been exceptional for his new club.
A skilled and explosive forward who has also played large midfield minutes this season, Krieger is one of the most skilled and reliable players in the competition.
Has 15 best player nods and 15 goals in 16 games and finished runner-up in the Mail Medal.
39. TOM FAULKNER
(Port, Spencer Gulf Football League)
A dominant big man who can perform in the ruck, at the back, or move up to have an impact in the forwardline, Faulkner is one of Port’s most important players.
Faulkner has clean hands and can take big marks around the ground, and is also impressive by foot.
Has nine best player nods and three goals in 16 games.
38. JACOB COLLINS
(Lobethal, Hills Football League)
A versatile player who has SANFL League experience with Norwood, Collins has been a star for Lobethal in the HFL.
A tireless worker through the middle who finds plenty of the footy and can hit teammates by hand or foot at a high efficiency.
Has nine best player mentions and four goals in 13 games.
37. TRENT HEFFERNAN
(Port District, Adelaide Footy League)
A consistent performer for the Magpies, Heffernan has been at the top of his game in 2023.
A SANFL-experienced player for Port Adelaide and the Crows, Heffernan is a hard worker in the contest who can win his own ball in close and find teammates with precision.
Has eight best player nods and 14 goals in 16 games.
36. JADE CLEELAND
(Goodwood, Adelaide Footy League)
Arriving from West Adelaide in the pre-season Cleeland has been an important player for Goodwood.
Bringing a big presence to the contest for his side, Cleeland can play in the contest or as a ruck and can also move forward to hit the scoreboard.
Has eight best player appearances and 23 goals in 18 games.
35. LACHLAN THOMAS
(Jervois, River Murray Football League)
One of the most promising young players in the RMFL, Thomas marked a major signing for Jervois after impressing at Tailem Bend.
Typically at his best as a midfielder or wing, Thomas can also move into a half-forward role if needed.
A quick player with excellent skills and a high footy IQ, he has 32 goals and nine best player mentions in 18 games.
34. ZAC BATES
(Central Yorke, Yorke Peninsula Football League)
The former Geelong and West Adelaide gun has been one of the Cougars’ most damaging players with his lethal leg speed and reliable left foot.
Bates plays both midfield and halfback and has been one of the YPFL’s most potent players with ball in hand.
Has 13 best player nods and 11 goals in 18 games.
33. LUKE HARROWFIELD
(Imperial, River Murray Football League)
A star for Imps through the middle of the park, Harrowfield has had another impressive season.
One of the best users of the footy in the RMFL and an excellent runner, Harrowfield often produces his best performances in the biggest games.
Has eight best player nods and 10 goals in 15 games.
32. LUKE BARMBY
(Golden Grove, Adelaide Footy League)
Golden Grove’s playing-coach has been impactful for the Kookaburras yet again this season and continues to lead his side to historic successes.
Barmby provides a veteran presence in the contest and has no problem getting his hands dirty for his teammates, often winning important possessions and dealing with precision.
Has four best player appearances and two goals in 10 games.
31. RILEY FAEHRMANN
(Unley Mercedes Jets, Adelaide Footy League)
Unley’s captain has been as important as ever for his side this year as it launches a strong grand final bid.
The Jets onballer is one of his team’s most versatile players and can play multiple roles across the ground, competing well in the air and damaging opposition by foot.
Has seven best player performances and six goals in 19 games.
30. JAKE TARCA
(Brighton, Adelaide Footy League)
Arriving from Encounter Bay in the Great Southern FL last pre-season, the former Geelong player has been a boost for Brighton.
Tarca is a strong and athletic forward with elite hand and foot skills and can boot a goal from anywhere.
Has 23 goals and five best player nods in 11 games.
29. GAVIN SHEPHARD
(Port District, Adelaide Footy League)
An integral part of Port District’s premiership side in 2022, Shephard’s ability to impact the game up front has kept him among the competition’s best this year.
While Shephard has missed a portion of the season, he has hit the ground running since his return in round nine, damaging opposition as a reliable target forward and with efficient disposal.
28 goals and four best player performances in 14 games.
28. TOM PINYON
(Mount Compass, Great Southern Football League)
The former Norwood forward has been at his best for Mount Compass this season and a significant factor in the club’s strong year.
A tall and athletic key forward who takes strong marks inside 50 or up the ground and finishes as well as anyone in front of goal, Pinyon currently leads the competition in goalkicking.
Has 63 goals and 13 best player appearances in 19 games.
27. TYLER MARTIN
(Tea Tree Gully, Adelaide Footy League)
A member of last season’s division one team of the year, Martin has been dominant as a key back again in 2023.
The former Norwood player can stand any forward in the competition and do a job, battling hard in the air and using the ball well out of defence.
Can also move up the ground to impact up front, with nine goals to go along with eight best player nods in 18 games.
26. SAM LAWRIE
(McLaren, Great Southern Football League)
A versatile tall who can play around the ground and have an impact, Lawrie has been a standout for the Eagles yet again this season.
One of the competition’s most competitive rucks, Lawrie sets up McLaren’s stacked midfield with elite tap work and can also play up front or behind the footy.
Has 10 best player mentions in 18 games.
25. FRANK TIMPANO
(Pooraka, Adelaide Footy League)
The reigning division four medallist, Timpano has put together another standout season for Pooraka.
The Bulls onballer has no issue doing the tough inside work for his side, winning contested footy and dealing to teammates efficiently.
10 best player nods and six goals in 15 games.
24. CHAD SCHOENMAKERS
(Tea Tree Gully, Adelaide Footy League)
A long-time star for TTG, Schoenmakers has been one of his side’s standouts in season 2023.
Schoenmakers is a hardworking player in the contest who loves doing the dirty work for the Gullies and distributes to teammates with ease under pressure.
Has seven best player performances in 17 games.
23. JAKE MAZZONE
(Barossa District, Barossa, Light and Gawler Football Association)
A former champion captain for Hectorville in the Adelaide Footy League, Mazzone moved to Barossa District after winning a division five flag with the Hounds and has been a standout for his new side.
Mazzone is a strong player with the ability to win his own footy and also move up the ground as a solid target to boot goals and create opportunities for teammates.
Has seven best player nods and 22 goals in 11 games.
22. BOWEN HOSKING
(Lockleys, Adelaide Footy League)
Dominant in the contest and a dangerous asset up front for Lockleys, Hosking has been at his best this season.
A skilled player on the ball who has a big tank, Hosking makes good decisions under pressure and can cut up opposition with damaging ball use.
Has 13 best player nods and 18 goals in 19 division four games.
21. ASERI RAIKIWASA
(Ports, Eastern Eyre Football League)
Playing-coach for Ports again this season, Raikiwasa remains one of the most dominant players on the Eyre Peninsula.
The former Port Adelaide big man has dominated for the Magpies, using his massive frame and elite instincts to quell attacks and also dominate in the contest.
An SA Country Championships player yet again this year, Raikiwasa has led by example through his 10 games and has been a forced to be reckoned with in finals.
20. CHARLIE MOLYNEUX
(Gawler Central, Barossa, Light and Gawler Football Association)
Former Mail Medallist Molyneux is a standout midfielder who can control a game from start to finish for the Tigers.
Has one of the biggest tanks in the BLG and uses the ball as well as anyone under pressure.
10 best player performances and 10 goals in 11 games this season.
19. JONNIE READ
(St Peter’s OC, Adelaide Footy League)
While 2023 proved to be a challenging season for St Peter’s OC, Read’s performance as a star defender who can also move up the ground was one of the big positives.
A strong player who competes tirelessly in the air and at ground level, Read is highly skilled o and can hit any teammate with clean disposal around the ground.
Has eight best player nods and six goals in 17 games.
18. HARRY PROSSER
(Glenunga, Adelaide Footy League)
A jack of all trades who spends most of his time ahead of the footy for Glenunga, Prosser has put together another solid year.
Prosser possesses strong aerial ability and can take a number of key marks each week while distributing well and also finishing for goal.
Has 32 goals and three best player performances in 18 games.
MACKENZIE SLEE
(Prince Alfred OC, Adelaide Footy League)
A consistent standout for the Old Reds, Slee has been one of his side’s most productive players in 2023.
Slee has been strong in the contest and an important presence around the ground for PAOC, often winning key possessions at the back as a terrific intercept mark.
Has eight best player nods in 18 games.
16. KLAUS SIMONS
(Mount Compass, Great Southern Football League)
A star midfielder for Mount Compass this season, Simons went close in the GSFL Mail Medal recently after a strong campaign for the Bulldogs.
Always hunting the footy and either finding teammates efficiently or exploding from the contest to gain clearances for his side, Simons has been one of the most impactful players for his club.
Has 11 best player nods and four goals in 19 games.
15. AARON FIELKE
(Crystal Brook, Northern Areas Football Association)
The former West Adelaide premiership player has been a force for Crystal Brook since joining from Westminster OS in the pre-season.
An explosive and strong target up front, Fielke has a strong set of hands a damaging boot, is almost impossible to stop one-on-one and has a habit of taking big marks and finishing off in front of the big sticks.
Has 44 goals and four best player nods in 11 games.
14. WILL RIDDLE
(Hope Valley, Adelaide Footy League)
A star ruck for Hope Valley in division three this season, Riddle has been one of his side’s most important players through 2023.
Consistently gives the Demons first use out of the middle and can also have a big impact around the ground with strong marking ability and reliable distribution.
Has 10 best player nods in 14 games.
13. TYSON BRAZEL
(Prince Alfred OC, Adelaide Footy League)
Returning to PAOC from North Adelaide this season, Brazel has proved to be a big boost for his club.
Second in the division’s goals leaderboard to teammate Jayden Davis, Brazel has been a reliable target inside 50 for the Old Reds, booting goals from anywhere.
Has 48 goals in two best player performances in 15 games.
12. ZABIEN PARKER-BOERS
(Hahndorf, Hills Football League)
Parker-Boers has impressed in his forward role at the Magpies and is becoming one of the league’s most damaging players in the forward 50 and up the ground.
Skilful by hand and efficient by foot, Parker-Boers hits the scoreboard almost every week and sets up teammates at an even better rate.
Has 34 goals in 17 games for his club and also played for SA Country.
11. CHRIS SCHMIDT
(Eudunda Robertstown/Southern Saints, North Eastern Football League)
The former West Adelaide premiership captain has been a star centre as playing-coach of the Saints for yet another season.
A dominant and strong midfielder with a big tank who consistently wins his own footy and finds teammates with elite foot and hand skills.
Has five best player nods and four goals in 10 games.
10. JORDAN O’BRIEN
(Salisbury North, Adelaide Footy League)
Salisbury North captain Jordan O’Brien remains a standout inside player in division two.
The Hawks star and former Central District player is an athletic and skilled asset who covers ground as well as anyone in the competition and can find teammates anywhere around the ground with efficient disposal.
O’Brien has been among his side’s best 11 times and has six goals in 18 games.
9. ALEX MORGAN
(Brinkworth Spalding Redhill, North Eastern Football League)
BSR’s superstar yet again this year, Morgan has been at his brilliant best for the Tigers.
A strong, skilled and athletic player who works tirelessly in the contest and across the forwardline, Morgan can either damage opposition with his ability to win big clearances for his side or boot multiple majors.
Has tallied a huge 39 goals from the middle to go with 11 best player nods in 15 games.
8. D’ARCY MITCHELL
(Glenunga, Adelaide Footy League)
One of many stars at Glenunga this season, Mitchell has continued his strong form for the Rams in 2023.
A tall player with the ability to play key positions at either end of the ground, Mitchell is capable of taking big marks and can also finish in front of goal when needed.
Has six best player performances and seven goals in 18 games.
7. BROCK KNOTT
(Nairne Bremer)
A star ruckman who has led Nairne Bremer to flag contention in the Hills FL, Knott recently took out the league’s Mail Medal.
The Rams captain is a smart player who can either give his mids first use with great tap-work or hit his teammates up around the ground efficiently under pressure.
Has seven best player nods and five goals in 18 games.
6. WILL RIVERS
(Padthaway, Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League)
One of the great local SA footy players, Rivers has added another strong season to his dazzling career.
The former Brighton and Glenelg gun hit the 300-mark this season and was dominant for Padthaway.
A strong and fast player with exceptional hand and foot skills, Rivers booted 31 goals and had seven best player mentions in his 13 games.
5. MICHAEL MAZEY
(Lincoln South, Port Lincoln Football League)
A skilled and versatile player who can take over a game for Lincoln South, Mazey has been a standout since arriving from the Southern FL in the pre-season.
One of SA country footy’s top players, Mazey can have an impact in the middle as well as up front, dominating in the air and also hitting the contest hard as a big body mid.
Has 10 best player nods and four goals in 15 games and also won this season’s Port Lincoln FL Mail Medal.
4. MICHAEL MCMAHON
(Glenunga, Adelaide Footy League)
One of Glenunga’s most versatile players, McMahon has the ability to play anywhere around the ground to good effect.
Possesses strong marking ability and can also cut opposition sides up with damaging disposal by hand or foot, while also finishing efficiently in front of goal.
Has 20 goals through 16 games so far.
3. DEAN TERLICH
(Uraidla Districts, Hills Football League)
Terlich started the season on fire up front but has spent more time than usual on the ball for the Demons in 2023.
The former Melbourne and Norwood gun is one of the HFL’s most skilled players, with the ability to set up teammates by foot or damage the opposition with smart handpassing.
Can completely take over a game and has four best player nods and 36 goals in 18 appearances this season.
2. WILL COMBE
(Crystal Brook, Northern Areas Football Association)
Combe has been a star for hometown club Crystal Brook since returning after a strong career with North Adelaide in the SANFL.
The gun onballer was part of the 2022 SANFL Advertiser Team of the Year and has continued his form this season at local level, hunting the ball in the contest to either set up teammates with precise ball-use or hit the scoreboard himself.
One of the best runners and athletes in the NAFA, Combe has 10 best player nods and 19 goals in 13 games.
1. SAM DANIELE
(Broadview, Adelaide Footy League)
Putting together a starring season for Broadview, Daniele has emerged as one of division one’s top players.
A hardworking midfielder who disposes of the ball efficiently and covers ground as well as anyone, Daniele finished third in Keith Sims OAM Medal voting this season.
Has nine best player nods and six goals through 17 games for the Tigers.
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