South East football’s top 50 players in 2022 ranked
SA’s South East features some of the best talent in country footy. We’ve drawn from the region’s three main competitions to rank the top 50 players for 2022 – see who made the cut.
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South Australia’s South East remains a region filled with star footballing talent.
Based on this season’s form and with the help of the region’s three major leagues – the Mid South Eastern Football League (MSEFL), Western Border Football League (WBFL) and the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League (KNTFL) – we’ve ranked the top 50 players for 2022.
Players who had played less than nine games were ruled ineligible.
Here are our rankings from 50 to 1.
50. JACOB ROBBIE
(Penola)
Robbie has been a standout young gun for Penola, producing quality play in the middle and across half-back.
A brilliant user of the ball, Robbie has a damaging leg and has been among Penola’s best on eight occasions.
Also represented the KNTFL in an interleague game this year.
49. DARCY BOYANTON
(Padthaway)
Boyanton’s ability on the ball has been plain for all to see this season, the Padthaway star performing well in interleague and consistently in the KNTFL.
With a nose for the footy and skilful distribution at his disposal, Boyanton does his damage outside of the contest and entering the forward 50.
Has six goals and eight best-player mentions to his name in 16 games.
48. JAKE MCGRICE
(Mundulla)
Another KNTFL interleague member, McGrice’s performances for Mundulla this season have made him a standout in South East footy.
Consistently working hard at the contest and rolling across the forwardline with devastating effect, McGrice has booted 15 goals in 12 games for his club.
Also has eight mentions among Mundulla’s best players.
47. MATT KELSH
(Lucindale)
Kelsh remains a consistent utility for the KNTFL’s top side.
With strong aerial and aerobic ability, Kelsh can have an impact up front and around the ground, providing a strong target along the boundary.
Has six goals in 15 appearances and four performances among the Roos’ best.
46. RORY TINK
(Bordertown)
Tink continuously performs at a high level in ruck for Bordertown.
A battler in the contest, his tap work matches up with almost anyone and his ability to take a big grab is an added bonus.
Has six mentions among the Roosters’ best players in 14 appearances.
45. TODD LOCKWOOD
(Kingston)
An SA Country Championships and interleague player this year, Lockwood’s ability in front of goal has been on full display for Kingston.
A strong mark and reliable kick, Lockwood has booted 42 goals in 16 games and tallied four mentions in his side’s best.
44. SAM TELFER
(Hatherleigh)
Telfer had the game of his life earlier this season when he booted a remarkable 21 goals in a 116-point win over Robe and he hasn’t looked back.
The star forward has tallied 42 goals in 12 appearances this season including an eight-goal performance against Kongorong three weeks after his day out against Robe.
Telfer is a strong and skilful player who times his leads to perfection.
43. TOM JENNINGS
(Kybybolite)
Jennings has been a standout for Kybybolite during a testing season for the side, performing consistently through the middle.
A member of the KNTFL interleague side, Jennings works tirelessly in the contest to give his side an upper hand and can also hit the scoreboard.
Has nine goals in 16 games this season to go along with six best-on-ground mentions.
42. ZACC COCKS
(Glencoe)
Glencoe’s captain would be higher placed on this list if he had more games under his belt, but staying on the park has been Cocks’ biggest hurdle this season.
A tireless midfielder who always hits his targets, Cocks is one of the most consistent performers in the MSEFL.
Has tallied seven goals in nine games and been named among Glencoe’s best eight times.
41. TOBIN COX
(Padthaway)
One of the premier forwards in the South East, Cox has stayed consistent up front after a hot streak to start the season.
The Lions star kicked bags of seven, six and nine goals through his first six appearances this season, using his finishing ability on both sides of his feet and his explosiveness off the mark to great effect.
Also an interleague player this year.
40. DYLAN BROMLEY
(Millicent)
One of the top goalkickers in the Western Border FL, Bromley has done it all up front for the Saints in 2022.
Also a SA Country Championships representative, Bromley is a strong and courageous player, consistently crashing packs and outmuscling opponents to earn chances at goal.
Has 47 majors and nine best-player nominations in 17 games.
39. DANIEL NOLL
(Mundulla)
Noll has put together a starring year for Mundulla and also represented the KNTFL in its interleague game.
An athletic and explosive midfielder, Noll consistently finds space and does damage with disposal by hand or foot.
He has kicked seven goals this season and tallied eight mentions among Mundulla’s best in 15 games.
38. BRAD MERRETT
(Penola)
A damaging player in defence who has shown the ability to move up front and kick bags of goals, Merrett has been outstanding for Penola this season.
While the side has struggled throughout the year, Merrett has still been able to perform at his best, moving the ball with pace and using his athletic ability at both ends of the ground.
Has 20 goals in 15 games and has been among Penola’s best 14 times.
Booted nine goals in a game against Padthaway last weekend.
37. LAWRENCE BRADLEY-BROWN
(West Gambier)
West Gambier’s captain has yet again led by example this season, producing on the ball when it has mattered most.
The SA Country Football Championships competitor is a ruthless worker in the contest and always distributes the ball efficiently and with poise.
Has kicked five goals this season to go with eight mentions in the Kangaroos’ best players.
36. BEN GREGORY
(Kalangadoo)
Gregory has improved significantly this season up front for Kalangadoo, booting 44 goals in 14 games so far, over 20 more than his 2021 tally.
One of the most consistent forwards in the MSEFL, Gregory is an athletic player with a strong set of hands and a reliable set shot.
Competed in the SA Country Championships this season and has also tallied 12 best-player mentions.
35. CAMPBELL WATTS
(Kingston)
A member of the KNTFL’s interleague side this year, Watts’ performance in the contest and behind the ball has made him a standout.
A player who always competes hard and uses the footy effectively, Watts has kicked three majors and tallied five mentions in Kingston’s best players in 15 appearances.
34. LOCHIE EATS
(Bordertown)
An interleague and SA Country Championships member this year, Eats has had a standout season in the South East.
A star through the middle and along the flanks for the Roosters, collecting plenty of the footy and disposing with high efficiency.
He has also been a goal threat, booting six in 16 games for Bordertown to go along with nine best-player nominations.
33. SEB SCHREIBER
(Keith)
A consistent performer across the middle and half-back, Schreiber has had a fantastic 2022.
The star Crow had a strong start to the year, accumulating the footy for fun and tallying six mentions among the side’s best through his first nine games.
Schreiber’s ability to dispose of the ball with composure under duress makes him extremely valuable.
32. JACK GUY
(Mundulla)
A reliable backman for Mundulla and the KNTFL interleague team this season, Guy remains one of the top players in the South East.
Guy has a knack for making big aerial contests and taking intercept marks, and can also hit anyone with efficient disposal out of the backline.
He has five best-player mentions for Mundulla in 14 games.
31. MICHAEL TELFORD
(Hatherleigh)
Telford has been a star midfielder for Hatherleigh during the 2022 MSEFL season.
A tireless and courageous player, Telford isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty at any contest for his side.
Has tallied 10 goals from the middle in 16 games and been named among Hatherleigh’s best on six occasions
30. DANIEL BIBBY
(Keith)
Bibby’s performances through midfield and up front have been a major reason behind Keith’s second place position in the KNTFL this season.
The interleague competitor is creative on the lead and has some of the best distribution in the competition.
Has booted 21 goals in 16 games and been named among the Crows’ best 13 times.
29. ANTHONY MCCARTHY
(Lucindale)
McCarthy remains a strong asset for Lucindale, consistently performing among his side’s best players each week.
The 2022 interleague member is a skilful player who can take big grabs and give his forwards first look at it with crafty distribution.
Has been named among the Roos’ best on seven occasions.
28. SAM STAFFORD
(North Gambier)
Sam Stafford sits one goal behind the WBFL’s leading goalkicker, Brayden Kain, after what has been a dominant year up front for the star forward.
Stafford possesses the ability to finish from anywhere in and around the forward 50 and remains almost impossible to stop in the air.
Has been named among the Tigers’ best 11 times, with his top performance a nine-goal day against East Gambier.
27. TYE MCMANUS
(Kalangadoo)
An exceptional midfielder and winger, McManus can do it all for the Magpies.
The SA Country Championships competitor can win his own ball through the middle or find space on the outside, blitzing through opposition and creating opportunities for his side.
Has kicked seven goals in 16 games for Kalangadoo this season and been named among the side’s best performers 11 times.
26. DYLAN MOSEY
(Mundulla)
A South East carnival member in season 2022, Mosey’s performances on the ball have been a spark for Mundulla.
A skilled mid with an enormous tank, Mosey can run all day and either create opportunities for teammates in front of goal or finish himself.
Has seven goals in 16 games and 11 appearances among his club’s best players.
25. KADE BRADLEY
(Millicent)
Millicent’s Kade Bradley has continued his impressive WBFL career in 2022.
A dominant and imposing midfielder, Bradley’s ability to win contested footy and clearances for his side is second to none.
Has kicked four goals and tallied 10 best-player nominations this season while also making the SA Country Championships as an emergency.
24. SAM MCMANUS
(Kalangadoo)
A deadly winger and half-back, McManus has played inspiring footy as Kalangadoo’s vice captain this season.
Fast and reliable with ball in hand, the Magpies champion can either set up his side for damaging rebound attacks or cover ground and boot goals.
Has 17 goals and eight appearances in the team’s best players over 16 games and was also a part of the South East zone side.
23. HAMISH GORDON
(Lucindale)
A top drawer forward and midfielder in the KNTFL, Gordon has been the weapon the Roos have needed this year.
Gordon is powerful and athletic and possesses a strong mark and a cool head under pressure.
Has tallied 40 goals in 15 games and been named among Lucindale’s best on eight occasions.
22. MITCH LOWE
(Kalangadoo)
The Magpies’ captain has yet again been a standout in the South East, representing the region in association and SA Country Championships games.
A defensive and contested beast, Lowe leads by example, crashing into packs and killing the pill or winning his own ball for the best side in the MSEFL competition.
Has been named among Kalangadoo’s best in six of his 15 appearances.
21. MICHAEL KRIEGER
(Kalangadoo)
Another Kalangadoo star, Krieger’s record this season speaks for itself, the star key forward booting 84 goals in his 15 games.
Fast on the lead and a strong mark, Krieger sets himself up for countless opportunities at goal each game.
Is also adept with groundwork, often cleanly collecting the ball in the forwardline and either finishing or handing off in a crowd.
20. SAM WALLIS
(Mt Burr)
One of the most formidable defenders in the South East, Wallis’ presence at the back has been fundamental to Mt Burr’s top four success this year.
The SA Country Championships member is a strong contested mark and sticks to his opponents like glue, either spoiling or intercepting most forward 50 entries.
Has been named among his MSEFL club’s best on six occasions and also kicked a rare goal against Nangwarry in round seven.
19. HENRY TREGOWETH
(Lucindale)
A standout forward and midfielder for the top side in the KNTFL, Tregoweth has been a key part of Lucindale’s big season.
The South East zone side member can play around the ground as a reliable mid or move up forward and boot goals, possessing brilliant skills off both feet.
Has 22 goals in 16 games as well as seven appearances in the club’s best players.
18. JACOB CARGER
(Millicent)
Millicent’s captain has produced yet another fantastic season for the Saints, dominating the WBFL through the middle.
A standout in the SA Country Football Championships, Carger is a big bodied player and natural leader who brings strong tackle pressure and uses the ball reliably by hand or foot.
Has 20 goals in 15 games for Millicent and has been named among the club’s best on five occasions.
17. ANDREW STONE
(Kalangadoo)
Stone has been one of Kalangadoo’s most consistent performers through 2022 and continues to lead his side to success with strong play on the ball.
One of the best in the MSEFL at winning his own footy, Stone can control a game in the contest and has also become a genuine goal threat along the wing.
The SA Country Championships member has 16 goals in 15 league appearances as well as nine best player nominations.
16. TIM SULLIVAN
(Port MacDonnell)
The former Glenelg star has been a dominant force as a ruck and forward utility for Port MacDonnell.
Sullivan is an athletic and imposing player with a big tank with excellent skills who can either set up midfielders with strong tapwork or compete consistently in the air and in front of goal up front.
Has 35 goals and 13 appearances among his side’s best players in 16 MSEFL games.
15. DYLAN CHILDS
(Glencoe)
A gun midfielder and SA Country Championships player, Childs has been a standout for Glencoe on the ball or along the wing in the MSEFL.
A powerful player with a damaging boot, Childs’ ability to collect the ball, explode from stoppage and distribute makes him a tough matchup for opponents.
Has 12 goals and eight mentions among Glencoe’s best in 15 league appearances
14. NATHAN MCCARTHY
(Padthaway)
The KNTFL’s best U21 player, McCarthy’s performance through the middle for the Lions has been exceptional in 2022.
The SA Country Championships member has accumulated as much footy as the best of them and consistently hits targets forward of the ball.
McCarthy can also be a threat in front of goal, kicking five majors to go along with five best-player mentions in 10 games.
13. NICK MCINERNEY
(North Gambier)
Vice captain of South East’s zone side, the North Gambier captain remains a star through the middle and up front.
With the ability to either impact the contest with tackle pressure and distribution or move up the ground and hit the scoreboard, McInerney is one of the WBFL’s most damaging players.
Has 13 goals and 13 best-player nominations in 17 games and was also part of the South East zone’s SA Country Championships side.
12. BRAYDEN KAIN
(South Gambier)
South Gambier’s playing-coach has yet again led from the front this year, booting 60 goals in 16 games for his side.
A member of this year’s SA Country side, Kain is an athletic and clever forward who has no issue winning his own ball and either setting up a teammate or finishing himself.
If Kain maintains his strong form and leadership, South Gambier should be a guaranteed grand finalist.
11. RORY TAGGERT
(Naracoorte)
The former Melbourne-listed forward and midfielder remains a standout for Naracoorte in season 2022.
The KNTFL’s top goalkicker, Taggert has tallied 66 majors in 16 games so far and has also been named among the Demons’ best on nine occasions.
A strong and athletic forward with reliable hands and a terrific set-shot kick, Taggert can also pinch-hit in the middle by going hard in the contest and distributing to teammates.
10. TOM GADEN
(Mundulla)
A South East representative who was named among the zone’s best in the Country Championships, Gaden has also been a force in the KNTFL.
An imposing player on the ball, Gaden hits the contest hard and is consistently able to create attacking moves for his teammates.
Has kicked 12 goals in 16 appearances for Mundulla and his five nods among the side’s best on ground.
9. JAMES PAPROTNY
(South Gambier)
A key part of this season’s SA Country Championships South East side, Paprotny’s performance in the midfield has been a catalyst for South Gambier’s success.
The Demons gun always manages to find the ball in space out of the contest and consistently hits teammates lace out around the ground.
Has five goals and 10 appearances among his side’s best in 17 games.
8. TODD REID
(South Gambier)
Best on ground in South East’s SA Country Championships final and a member of the SA Country side this year, Reid takes his rightful place inside the top 10.
A star defender in the WBFL, the South Gambier captain has led his side to top spot with a series of secure performances at the back.
Able to hold any forward and distribute out of the backline with poise, Reid has eight best player nominations in 16 games.
7. FRAZER BRADLEY
(Millicent)
Still within the U21 age bracket, Bradley’s star is rising fast.
A speedy player who can do damage along the wing or in the middle, Bradley has put together a monumental season for the WBFL’s second ranked side.
He has five goals and eight appearances among Millicent’s best in 16 games and was also named in the SA Country team to take on WA Country.
6. BRAD BRYANT
(Penola)
A talented backman who plays off the flanks and can do major damage by foot, Bryant has been a star during challenging year for bottom side Penola in the KNTFL.
Providing consistent run and carry and the ability to move up the ground and hit the scoreboard, Bryant has tallied eight goals in his 16 league games this season.
Was also named in the back pocket for the team of the SA Country Championships.
5. JACOB EATS
(Bordertown)
Despite Bordertown’s overall struggles this season, Eats has remained one of the best players in the KNTFL.
A tireless worker and a bull in the contest, the Roosters star has the ability to control a game out of the middle.
Eats was rewarded for his efforts this season with a selection in the South East side for the Country Championships and eventually the SA Country side to take on WA Country.
Has booted nine goals in his 16 appearances for Bordertown and named in the side’s best players 11 times.
4. PAT DAVIES
(Kalangadoo)
Another SA Country team member, Davies has had a fantastic year up front and through the middle for the MSEFL’s top side.
A smooth mover who is adept with distribution or in front of goal off either foot, the Magpies star has been one of the big catalysts for his side’s strong campaign.
Has 38 goals and 10 best player nominations in his 15 league appearances this season.
3. MARK MARRIOTT
(Hatherleigh)
A huge name in country footy, Marriott joined Hatherleigh for season 2022 and instantly made his mark.
The premier big man in the MSEFL, Marriott remains one of the best ruckmen in the state and was also named in the SA Country team.
An excellent contested mark, reliable user and most of all a brilliant asset for his midfielders through tapwork, Marriott has nine goals in 15 appearances for the Eagles and 12 appearances among the side’s best on ground.
2. TOM WHITTLESEA
(Bordertown)
The former South Adelaide forward has continued to star up front for Bordertown, putting together a terrific season and also featuring in SA Country’s state side.
Doing most of his work off half-forward, Whittlesea is a strong and athletic presence who can clunk any mark, finish well in front of goal and set up teammates.
Has 38 goals in 15 KNTFL appearances for Bordertown to go along with seven nods among his club’s best players.
1. MATT WILLSON
(Naracoorte)
Naracoorte’s captain-coach has had a consistent and dominant year through the middle of the park in 2022.
Willson was a standout during the SA Country Football Championships, taking out the Don McSweeny Medal as the best player of the tournament and going on to country SA Country to a big win over WA Country.
A skilful player who uses the ball with precision, Willson can also do damage in front of goal, booting 11 majors to go along with his 12 mentions among Naracoorte’s best players in 15 appearances.
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