South East football’s top 50 players of 2023 ranked
SA’s South East is packed with star country footy talent, so we’ve drawn from the region’s three main leagues to rank the top 50 players for 2023. See who made the cut.
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South Australia’s South East is arguably the state’s strongest region for local footy talent.
Based on this season’s form and with the help of the region’s three major leagues – the Mid South Eastern FL (MSEFL), Western Border FL (WBFL) and the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara FL (KNTFL) – we’ve ranked the top 50 players for 2023.
Players who had played less than six games were ruled ineligible.
Here are our rankings from 50 to 1.
50. MITCH SIMS
(South Gambier)
A consistent contributor through the midfield for South Gambier, Sims’ ability to have an impact up front or create for teammates has been important for his side.
Also a South East representative in the SA Country Championships, Sim covers ground well and makes good decisions under pressure.
Has six best player nods and eight goals in eight games so far.
49. JACK MCAULEY
(Keith)
A versatile and skilled player for the Crows, McAuley can have an impact behind or on the ball for his side.
Composed under pressure and boasting reliable skills, he has five best player mentions in 10 games.
Also played SA Country Championships for the South East.
48. JACOB GROSSER
(Mundulla)
A standout in the contest for Mundulla yet again this season.
Grosser does plenty of hard work on the ball for his side, applying consistent tackle pressure and setting teammates up ahead of the ball.
Has four goals and four best player mentions in 11 games and also played Country Championships.
47. JOSH GREGG
(Naracoorte)
A gun midfielder for Naracoorte, Gregg has been one of the Demons’ best players for a number of years.
Is a hard runner who racks up disposals with ease and opens up a number of chances for his side by foot.
Has eight best player nods in 10 games and also starred in the SA Country Championships.
46. WADE CHANT
(Port MacDonnell)
A reliable player in the contest for Port MacDonnell this year, Chant has been important for the Demons.
With seven best player mentions and three goals in 11 games, Chant is a hard worker on the ball who can impact the game in multiple ways.
Also played SA Country Championships.
45. TOM GADEN
(Mundulla)
A South East representative who was named among the zone’s best in the Country Championships, Gaden has been a standout 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 five best player mentions in 11 games so far this year.
44. WILL RIVERS
(Padthaway)
The former Brighton Bombers star has been a standout for Padthaway over a number of years.
A skilled player who can put in a shift along the flanks, through the middle or up front, Rivers has been highly effective for the Lions.
Has 21 goals and three best player nods in eight games.
43. ZAC RICHARDS
(Border Districts)
A consistent contributor in the KNTFL’s top side so far, Richards’ ability to boot goals from the middle has proved important in 2023.
A strong player with a big tank who possesses reliable skills by hand or foot.
Has 13 goals in 11 games to go along with eight best player nods.
42. DYLAN CHILDS
(Glencoe)
A gun midfielder in the South East, 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 seven mentions among Glencoe’s best in 10 league appearances
41. FRAZER BRADLEY
(Millicent)
An up and coming star for Millicent, Bradley has been impressive yet again in the South East.
A speedy player who can do damage along the wing, up front or in the middle, Bradley has put together some big performances for the WBFL’s top side.
Has 18 goals and four best player nods in 10 games and also played interleague.
40. TYE MCMANUS
(Kalangadoo)
An exceptional midfielder and winger, McManus can do it all for the Magpies.
The star competitor can win his own ball through the middle or find space on the outside, blitzing through opposition and creating opportunities for his team.
Has kicked 10 goals in nine games for Kalangadoo this season and been named among the side’s best performers six times.
39. DYLAN RIDLEY
(Mt Burr)
Ridley has picked up from where he left off for Mount Burr after a standout 2022 season, dominating through the middle and up front for the club again this year.
A hard runner who always provides an option for his teammates, Ridley is an excellent user and can kick spectacular goals.
Has 17 majors and seven best player nods in 13 games.
38. BEN GREGORY
(Kalangadoo)
Gregory has been a machine up front for Kalangadoo, booting 27 goals in 10 games so far, almost matching his high rate from last season.
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 seven best-player mentions.
37. SAM STAFFORD
(North Gambier)
An SA Country Championships squad member this year, Stafford has been North Gambier’s star forward.
Elite on a lead with a reliable set of hands and the ability to finish in front of goal, he is one of the most dangerous players in the WBFL.
Has 32 goals and six best player nods in 10 games.
36. BILLY LAURIE
(Kybybolite)
Laurie has been the main positive during what has been a challenging year for bottom KNTFL side Kybybolite.
A workhorse in the middle who can also produce strong footy up front, Laurie has a big tank and provides a consistent and reliable option for his teammates.
Has 16 goals and nine best player nods through 11 games so far.
35. MITCH MINNS
(Padthaway)
A star midfielder for Padthaway this season, Minns has impressed since arriving from Unley ahead of the Lions’ 2023 campaign.
Relentless in the contest with brilliant hand and foot skills and elite tackle pressure, Minns also has the ability to cover ground and hit the scoreboard.
Has 11 goals and eight best player appearances in 11 games so far.
34. 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 his side.
Has been named among Kalangadoo’s best in four of his 10 appearances.
33. JACK ARMFIELD
(Kingston)
A reliable player for Old Ignatians in division one of the Adelaide Footy League last season, Armfield has been one of Kingston’s star players in 2023.
Tough and relentless in the contest and one of his side’s best users of the footy.
Has six best player mentions and three goals in his seven games so far.
32. JORDAN GALPIN
(Penola)
Arriving from Hatherleigh in the pre-season, Galpin has been a superstar during a tough year for Penola so far.
A gun onballer with the ability to win countless contested possessions and deal to teammates with efficiency by hand or foot.
Has 10 best player nods in 10 games and four goals.
31. SAM MCMANUS
(Kalangadoo)
A deadly flankman and midfielder, McManus has played inspiring footy as one of Kalangadoo’s leaders 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 seven goals and eight appearances in the team’s best players over 11 games.
30. DANIEL BIBBY
(Keith)
Bibby’s performances through midfield and up front have been a major reason behind Keith’s third place position in the KNTFL this season.
The SA Country Champs player is creative on the lead and has some of the best distribution in the competition, making him a major asset in the middle or up front.
Has kicked eight goals in his 11 games to go along with five best player nods.
29. BRAYDEN KAIN
(South Gambier)
South Gambier’s playing-coach has yet again led from the front during what has been a challenging year for the club.
A member of this year’s SA Country Championships 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.
Has 16 goals in 11 games for the Demons.
28. JAMES HINGE
(Mundulla)
Mundulla’s star forward this season, Hinge has terrorised KNTFL defenders.
Brother of emerging Adelaide Crow Mitch Hinge, James is adept off of both feet and can take big marks and boot goals from anywhere in or around the forward 50.
Has 38 goals and seven best player appearances in 11 games.
27. BRANDON NEWTON
(West Gambier)
A member of the South East’s Country Championships side this year, Newton has been a strong and reliable contributor through West Gambier’s midfield.
A strong player with a big tank and the ability to find anyone around the ground by foot under pressure.
Has eight best player nods and four goals in 11 games.
26. TOBIN COX
(Padthaway)
One of the premier forwards in the South East, Cox has stayed consistent up front for Padthaway as the club vies for a finals spot.
The explosive Lions star can kick bags of goals or set-up teammates with clean skills on either side of his body.
Has 25 goals and six best player nods through his 11 games this year.
25. BLAKE READ
(Keith)
A key member of the South East’s SA Country Championships side this season, Read has been the perfect support act for Lewis Hender up front at the Crows.
Read is a strong player who is skilled by hand or foot and can take over a game ahead of the ball.
Has 30 goals in his 10 games so far to go along with four best player nods.
24. TOM HUTCHESSON
(Hatherleigh)
The former GWS and Millicent player has been a gun for Hatherleigh this year as a reliable forward who can also play through the middle.
One of the most athletic players in the MSEFL, Hutchesson can take huge grabs and is composed in front of goal.
Has 19 goals and three best player nods through six games so far.
23. DYLAN SCHOENMAKERS
(Border Districts)
The top goalkicker in the KNTFL so far this season, Schoenmakers has been a machine up front for Border Districts since arriving from Tea Tree Gully.
An athletic and imposing player who is almost unstoppable in one-on-one positions up front, Schoenmakers has booted 43 goals through his 11 games so far.
Also has three best player mentions.
22. NICK MCINERNEY
(North Gambier)
One of the standout leaders in the South East, 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 four goals and seven best player nods in his 11 games so far.
21. DYLAN BROMLEY
(Kalangadoo)
One of the top goalkickers in the MSEFL, Bromley has done it all up front for Kalangadoo in 2023.
Bromley is a strong and courageous player, consistently crashing packs and outmuscling opponents to earn chances at goal, which he can finish with ease.
Has 33 majors and seven best player nominations in 11 games.
20. KADE VARCOE
(Millicent)
A rising young gun for Millicent, Varcoe has had one of his best years yet for the Saints.
A member of this season’s SA Country team, Varcoe covers ground as well as anyone and has the ability to finish with composure in front of goal.
Has 10 majors and five best player nods in 11 games.
19. MICHAEL KRIEGER
(Casterton Sandford)
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 10 best player nods in 11 games to go with 12 goals.
18. FRASER ADAMS
(Border Districts)
One of the most improved players in the South East when compared with his output last season, Adams has been a big factor in Border Districts’ strong year so far.
A dominant midfielder who provides explosive run and carry and a damaging leg, Adams has been among his side’s best eight times in 11 games.
Can also move up the ground to hit the scoreboard on occasion with three goals so far.
17. JAKE MCGRICE
(Mundulla)
McGrice’s performances for Mundulla this season have made him a standout in South East footy.
Consistently working hard in the contest and rolling across the forwardline with devastating effect, McGrice has booted 13 goals in 11 games for his club.
Also has eight mentions among Mundulla’s best players.
16. HENRY LAWRIE
(Robe)
Joining from Kingston in the pre-season, Lawrie has been a superstar for Robe during what has been a strong year by the club.
The top performer for the Roosters this season, Lawrie fights hard in the contest and deals to teammates at a high efficiency.
Can also move up the ground to impact the scoreboard with six goals to go along with 10 best player nods in 11 games.
15. ANDREW STONE
(West Gambier)
Stone has been one of West Gambier’s most consistent performers through 2023 after joining from Kalangadoo.
One of the best midfielders in the WBFL, Stone wins plenty of his own footy and can control a game in the contest.
Has four goals and five best player nods for the Kangaroos so far this season.
14. BRAD BRYANT
(Penola)
A talented backman who plays off the flanks or through the middle and can do major damage by foot, Bryant has been a star during challenging year for Penola in the KNTFL.
Providing consistent run and carry and the ability to move up the ground and hit the scoreboard, Bryant has tallied five goals in 11 league games so far this season.
Has also been among Penola’s best nine times in 11 games.
13. HENRY TREGOWETH
(Lucindale)
A standout forward and midfielder in the KNTFL, Tregoweth has been a key player for Lucindale again this year.
The SA Country Championships star can play around the ground as a reliable mid or move up forward and boot goals, possessing brilliant skills off both feet.
Has 14 goals nand seven best player appearances in 11 games.
12. DARON MCELROY
(West Gambier)
West Gambier’s playing-coach, McElroy remains one of the most effective players in the WBFL.
the big man can play a number of roles including as an imposing forward, in the contest or behind the ball with excellent skills off of the deck and in the air.
Has two best player nods and 23 goals in 11 games for the Roos and was also a standout in the SA Country Championships.
11. CAMPBELL WATTS
(Kingston)
A member of the SA Country 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 boasts excellent skills and remains composed under pressure.
Has kicked three majors and tallied two mentions in Kingston’s best players in 10 games so far.
10. TIM SULLIVAN
(Port MacDonnell)
The former Glenelg gun and reigning MSEFL Mail Medallist has been a star for Port MacDonnell through 2023 so far.
Sullivan is an athletic and imposing player with a big tank and excellent skills who can either set up his mids with reliable distribution or have an impact up front.
Has 17 goals and four best player nods through 10 games so far.
9. JACOB CARGER
(Millicent)
Millicent’s inspirational leader, Carger has been a force again in 2023.
A machine through the middle who can also play as a dominant forward, Carger is a fearless player in the contest and makes good decisions under pressure.
Has 31 goals and seven best player nods in 11 games, and had three six-goal performances to start the season.
8. COLBY MUNRO
(Port MacDonnell)
Munro has been a superstar across the forwardline and in the middle for Port MacDonnell this season.
The young gun has been a weapon since arriving at the Demons in the pre-season, the smooth moving asset displaying consistent skills and booting a number of big goals for his side.
Has 37 goals and five best player mentions in his 11 games, with a standout 10-goal performance against Glencoe in round 10.
Also starred in this year’s Country Championships.
7. JAYDEN ELDRIDGE
(Penola)
Last season’s WBFL Mail Medallist, Eldridge has remained a top player since joining Penola in the KNTFL.
With the ability to play anywhere on the park Eldridge brings a big presence at the back, through the middle and also up front.
An athletic and gritty player who racks up disposals with ease and uses the ball as well as anyone in the South East.
Has nine best player nods and a goal in 11 games for Penola.
6. LEWIS HENDER
(Keith)
The former North Adelaide star has been at his best as playing-coach for Keith this season, leading from the front to make his side a premiership contender in the KNTFL.
An exciting forward/midfield utility, Hender is as clean as anyone off of the deck and possesses the ability to either create for teammates with excellent disposal or finish for goal from anywhere.
Has 25 goals in his 11 games and will be a big factor come finals.
5. JACOB EATS
(Bordertown)
Eats has remained one of the best players in the South East in 2023 after a strong 2022 season.
A tireless worker in the contest, the Roosters star has the ability to control a game out of the middle with a tough approach and efficient disposal and can also move up the ground to score.
Has six best player nods and 18 goals in 11 games and was also one of the standouts for the South East in the recent SA Country Championships.
4. WILL MACDONALD
(Port MacDonnell)
One of the biggest names in South East footy, MacDonald has put together another outstanding campaign for Port MacDonnell so far this year.
A dominant ruck who can also move up front to hit the scoreboard, MacDonald is an athletic player who provides his mids with elite tap-work and distribution by foot.
Has been the top MSEFL side’s best player this season with eight best player appearances in 11 games to go along with 17 goals.
3. CLINTON GALLIO
(Millicent)
Also a star in the NT for Southern Districts, Gallio has been at his best for Millicent this WBFL season.
A strong midfielder who covers ground exceptionally well and always rises to the occasion, Gallio wins a stack of contested possessions each week and can also hit the scoreboard.
Has nine best player nods and seven goals in his 11 games for the Saints this season and is a member of the 2023 SA Country side.
2. MATT WILLSON
(Naracoorte)
Following on from a brilliant 2022 season, Willson has produced at a strong level again through 2023.
Naracoorte’s playing-coach is a standout in the middle, boasting elite skills off of either side of his body and using the ball with precision to find teammates.
Willson was selected for the SA Country side to take on WA Country yet again and has tallied four best player performances and three goals in 10 games for his club.
1. RORY TAGGERT
(Naracoorte)
A former Melbourne and Sturt player and the reigning KNTFL Mail Medallist, Taggert has put together another fantastic season for Naracoorte so far.
The strong and athletic forward can play anywhere on the ground and has been a terror for opposition defences, using his ability to take big grabs, kick goals and set-up teammates with elite field kicking.
Taggert was also selected for this year’s SA Country side to take on WA after a standout Country Championships.
Has 31 goals and eight best player mentions in his 11 games for Naracoorte this season.
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