Messenger’s top 10 players in division one of the Adelaide Footy League for 2019
The local leagues are loaded with talent. But who are the best players in the Adelaide Footy League? We’ve tackled that question and named the top 10 from division one in 2019.
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It is finals time and, as the best of the best do battle for glory, Messenger football writers Patrick Keam and Gordon Armstrong have selected their top 10 players in division one of the Adelaide Footy League.
Weighted heavily on each player’s 2019 form, they have spoken to division one coaches, players and people from in and around the league to compose the list.
But Keam and Armstrong have made the final call on the top 10.
It is sure to spark plenty of debate, so let us know in the comments – have they nailed it or missed the mark?
#1 JAKE PITT
(Prince Alfred Old Collegians)
To propel a club from sixth on the ladder one season to within a game of a grand final the next you need some serious performers.
Prince Alfred Old Collegians forward Jake Pitt has starred this season to do just that for the Old Reds and earn top spot on this list.
The ex-Glenelg talent, who will be crucial for PAOC in this Saturday’s second semi-final against Payneham Norwood Union, is very consistent and highly regarded within his club and from opposition.
Pitt has kicked 49 goals to rank fourth in the top flight but it is his ability to bring teammates into the play and aerobic capacity, which sets him apart.
The 24-year-old – originally from Lucindale in the state’s south east – came through the ranks at the Bays and Prince Alfred College.
He played with brother Craig in a Mid South East Football League premiership for Robe last season before arriving at the Old Reds this year.
#2 TRENT HEFFERNAN
(Port District)
Few players in division one draw as much respect as Port District skipper Trent Heffernan.
The highly-touted Magpie is often the go-to player for Port is rated by some opposition coaches as the number one player in the competition.
Heffernan has twice captained the Adelaide Footy League state side and has league experience in the SANFL with both the Port Adelaide Magpies and as a development player at the Crows.
A lofty spot in the top 10 is hard to disagree with.
#3 ALEX FORSTER
(Payneham Norwood Union)
With a league-leading 70 goals this season, Alex Forster has exploded with devastating effect at Payneham Norwood Union in 2019.
The potent forward has proven to be a constant threat for the Falcons as oppositions find it tough to tie him down.
Forster, a SANFL premiership player with Norwood in 2014, has plenty of help from attacking partner Liam Davis and up the ground.
But his impact since joining the competition midway through last season is undeniable as PNU took out the minor premiership.
Forster was a highly-rated junior drafted by Fremantle with pick 29 in the 2011 draft, going on to play one AFL game.
#4 LUKE MANUEL
(Rostrevor Old Collegians)
In Rostrevor Old Collegians’ successful division one run in recent years Luke Manuel has been a standout among a glut of good midfielders at the club.
The ultra-consistent onballer often features in his coach’s best in a strong ROC side.
A smart mover around the contest with good speed and ball use, 2019 has arguably been Manuel’s best yet.
#5 LIAM DAVIS
(Payneham Norwood Union)
Powerful Payneham forward Liam Davis is a handful in attack and his haul of 61 goals this season speaks for itself.
Has formed a dangerous one-two punch with Forster and, if his partner doesn’t fire, Davis usually steps up to kick a bag.
A two-time SANFL premiership player with Norwood, the former Houghton Districts gun is an excellent contested mark and demands a spot in the top half of this list.
#6 JAY BOYLE
(Brighton Bombers)
It took a while for opponents to work out just how good Jay Boyle was on Brighton’s arrival to the top flight this season.
The 21-year-old midfielder has been very solid in a Bombers side, which has impressed in its first division one campaign, but was just not quite there to make the top five.
A Glenelg product, Boyle is very skilful, has the ability to lift others and posses a big kick when he gets onto one, as he showed with an 80m goal from midfield last year.
#7 JESSE O’BRIEN
(St Peter’s Old Collegians)
Former Brisbane Lions midfielder Jesse O’Brien came into the top tier in 2019 with no secret about his talents, after winning the FA Bloch Medal as division two’s best and fairest player last season.
The 28-year-old is a classy player and one of the movers and shakers of not only SPOC but the division.
Opposition sides have sent a tag to O’Brien most weeks but he has still managed to be named in his team’s best in 10 of 19 games so far this season.
The No.73 pick in the 2010 draft played 17 AFL games for the Lions before he was delisted at the end of 2013 and returned home to SA to play for North Adelaide.
#8 PIERCE SEYMOUR
(Payneham Norwood Union)
A bit underrated around the league but Falcons defender Pierce Seymour was an almost consensus pick among opposition coaches when it comes to backmen.
The Crows development-listed player has been rock solid in defence for the high-flying PNU.
His intercept marking skills and ability to rebound has played no small part in the Falcons’ 2019 success.
#9 DANIEL McCALLUM
(Rostrevor Old Collegians)
Rostrevor Old Collegian’s number two Daniel McCallum comes in well-deserved at nine spot on this list.
McCallum sets up a lot of ROC’s good play from half-back but also just as effective moving through the midfield.
His attack on the contest is unquestionable as he runs in straight lines to cause headaches for the opposition.
McCallum’s ability to not only win the ball but burst from the pack is valuable and gets him the nod in ninth spot ahead a few others.
#10 HAYDEN JOLLY
(Prince Alfred Old Collegians)
Spots at the back end of this top 10 were difficult to split but Prince Alfred’s Hayden Jolly gets the nod due to his touch of class.
The 27-year-old is a very creative player and one who features most weeks as a driving force for the Old Reds.
Jolly was one of Gold Coast’s 17-year-old recruits in 2009 and went on to play six AFL games in the Suns’ inaugural 2011 season.
He joined the Old Reds in 2016 and was a member of the division one flag-winning team that year.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Dylan Auciello (PNU), Tim Baccanello (ROC), Dylan Schoenmakers (Tea Tree Gully), James McLeay (SPOC), Damian Cunningham (Adelaide University), Jacob Carger (Brighton), Nick McGill (SPOC), Thomas Matsouliadis (SPOC), Jacob Hughes (Goodwood Saints), Brett Ancell (PNU), Ned Heath (Henley), Gavin Shephard (Port District), Tom Carter (Goodwood).