Messenger’s top 10 players in division one of the Adelaide Footy League for 2020
Messenger’s local sport reporters have selected their top 10 players in division one of the Adelaide Footy League. Let us know if we’ve nailed it or missed the mark. SEE THE LIST.
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There’s one minor round remaining in the Adelaide Footy League’s division one and the best of the best are preparing to battle for the flag.
Messenger’s local sport reporters Daniela Abbracciavento and Gordon Armstrong have selected their top 10 players in division one of the Adelaide Footy League.
The decisions were made based on each player’s 2020 form, but they have also spoken to division one coaches, players and people from in and around the league to compose the list.
But the reporters 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 NIGEL OSBORN
(Brighton)
A football journeyman, Osborn has been one of the key factors behind Brighton’s current lofty position on the ladder since joining the club.
After playing junior footy at Henley Sharks and Woodville-West Torrens he joined West Adelaide in 2018 where he played four league games before retiring last season to join the SA Metropolitan Fire Service.
Osborn has been named in the Bombers’ best players in all but one round and has booted a total of seven majors this season, only going goalless in two games.
Several Brighton players work with him at the MFS.
#2 JACK TRENGOVE
(Prince Alfred Old Collegians)
The ex-Melbourne skipper and Port Adelaide midfielder played the first five games for the Old Reds before injuring his thumb during the clash against Athelstone at Park 9 on August 1.
Despite missing the last four games of the season, Trengove’s form in those matches he played was good enough to have him included in this list.
The 28-year-old, 89-game AFL player, who signed with the Old Reds this year after being delisted by the Power, was a cut above his opponents.
He brought his AFL experience into the PAOC side and his work around the stoppages was second-to-none.
Trengove booted seven goals across his five games and was named in the Old Reds’ best in all matches he lined up in.
#3 JESSE O’BRIEN
(St Peter’s Old Collegians)
Ever-reliable O’Brien has been one of the mainstays of the SPOC team in recent seasons.
He played 17 games for Brisbane in the AFL between 2010 and 2013 after being recruited by North Adelaide.
This season, the 29-year-old has been St Peter’s Old Collegians’ most consistent player with two best on grounds and three second-bests from eight games.
The midfielder, who often got tagged this year, has gone from strength to strength since signing with SPOC in 2018 and winning the division two best and fairest medal that same year.
#4 JACK GAFFNEY
(Port District)
Port District was the big winner when Gaffney put pen to paper to sign with the Magpies after 45 SANFL games with Woodville-West Torrens.
The 24-year-old, who returned to his junior club this year to line up with his brothers Cooper and Mitchell, has been a driver in Port’s solid campaign so far.
Gaffney, a midfielder, has been named in the Magpies’ best in six out of eight games and has booted three majors.
#5 TOM CARTER
(Goodwood Saints)
Carter has been ultra consistent for the Saints this season and has led their charge up the ladder.
The athletic ruckman brings a lot of effort and energy to the side.
And he has also worked extra hard to add other elements to his game, including taking marks around the ground and kicking goals.
Carter has booted four goals from eight games and been named in the best six times.
He is also highly regarded as a team player, having won the Saints’ coaches award last year.
#6 TYLER BRIMACOMBE
(Payneham Norwood Union)
Brimacombe is playing his most consistent football with the Falcons.
He started the season in a blaze of glory with a couple of outstanding games but has been around the mark in games since then.
Not one of the Falcons’ most high-profile players but is getting the job done and continues to be one of the side’s best players.
#7 NICK MCGILL
(St Peter’s Old Collegians)
The reliable defender has been super handy for SPOC when it came to moving the ball into Saints’ attack from the opposition’s half.
McGill is a solid kick with both his right and left foot and sets up SPOC really well.
The 20-year-old was also part of Adelaide Crows’ SANFL squad last year and has brought what he learned from being involved in a high-level program back to SPOC.
#8 JAKE PITT
(Prince Alfred Old Collegians)
Prince Alfred Old Collegians forward Jake Pitt has booted 12 majors from eight games to rank third on the goal kicking ledger this season.
Pitt has kicked at least one goal in all but one match this year and is a big reason why last season’s runner up is fourth and still in the hunt for a finals appearance.
Originally from Lucindale in the state’s south east, Pitt came through the ranks at Glenelg and Prince Alfred College.
He moved to the Old Reds after winning a Mid South East Football League flag with Robe in 2018.
#9 BEN ADAMS
(Adelaide University)
Adams has been a shinning light for Adelaide University this season.
The inside midfielder has been super reliable for the Blacks in a tough campaign for the club’s A grade.
Adams has continued his strong form from 2019 where he won the club’s best and fairest by one vote – pipping skipper Damian Cunningham.
This year, he has featured in Uni’s best players in all but one match.
Adams is known to have more tackles than possessions, according to coach Ben Watkins.
He’s quiet around the club and is renowned for his toughness on field.
#10 SAM JONAS
(Rostrevor Old Collegians)
Jonas is rock solid and can be relied upon to do a job, featuring prominently again this season for Rostrevor Old Collegians.
The lockdown defender has stamped his authority in the past month with consistent games against tough teams.
He has rarley been beaten in a one-on-one contest this year, being named in his side’s best six times from eight games.
The younger brother of Port Adelaide captain Tom Jonas, is also a strong mark and can move the ball well from defence into attack.
Jonas also played in Sturt’s 2016 premiership team under Marty Mattner and is likely to be leading ROC’s best and fairest count.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Damian Cunningham (Adelaide University), Ben Edwards (Adelaide University), Luke Rander (Athelstone), Jacob Carger (Brighton), Tom Edwards (Goodwood Saints), Nick Favretto (Goodwood Saints), Jacob Hughes (Goodwood Saints), Hayden Jolly (PAOC), Luke McInerney (Port Distict), James Batty (Port District), Liam Davis (PNU), James Hargraves (SPOC), John Vrodos (SPOC), Jock Mcleay (SPOC), Anthony Skara (Unley Jets), Jack Lewis (Unley Jets).