The Adelaide Footy League’s top 40 players in division one for season 2021 so far
Who have been the standouts in the Adelaide Footy League this season? We’ve named the best in division one so far – and some big names have missed out.
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There is no shortage of dominant players in the Adelaide Footy League and they have not disappointed in 2021.
Based on this season’s form and with the input of coaches, we’ve named the top 40 performers in division one so far.
Talent stacked leading sides Prince Alfred Old Collegians and Payneham Norwood Union unsurprisingly dominate the selections with six players featured each.
Division one stalwarts Goodwood Saints and Rostrevor Old Collegians both had five players included.
Those who had played less than nine games were ruled ineligible.
It meant big names such as Jake Pitt, Sam Baulderstone, Sam Jonas, Jesse O’Brien, Trent Heffernan and Tim Baccanello missed out.
However, they will be in the running when we rank the top players from one to 25 later in the season.
Here’s our best – in alphabetical order.
ADAM PERRYMAN
(Prince Alfred OC)
The Old Reds’ captain not only provides excellent leadership but is one of the competition’s best defenders. Ultra reliable by foot, Perryman sets up PAOC from the back half.
ANTHONY GIANNINI
(Payneham Norwood Union)
PNU coach Jace Bode said Giannini would have likely led the Falcons’ best and fairest count at the halfway mark. The ex-Norwood midfielder has moved interstate for work but the club is hopeful of getting him back in blocks as they push for a premiership.
ANTHONY WILSON
(Payneham Norwood Union)
In many ways the SANFL premiership player and ex-Crows rookie is a class above in the Adelaide Footy League. Wilson’s speed and goal sense is arguably unmatched and was on full display in a five-goal best on ground performance against Uni in round seven.
BEN ADAMS
(Adelaide University)
A reliable performer in the Blacks’ engine room, Adams is unassuming but one of his side’s toughest customers. Has won the past two Gunning Medals as Uni’s best and fairest and is enjoying another strong season.
BLAKE PENNEY
(Tea Tree Gully)
Opposition ruckman would have enjoyed a season without the Gullies’ big man in the top flight but, following TTG’s division two flag last year, Penney has returned. The co-captain is a division one premiership player and team of the year member.
CAMERON GILES
(Prince Alfred OC)
Speaking of big men, the decision to throw Giles into the ruck has proven a masterstroke for PAOC. The former Carlton-listed player does not rack up big hit out numbers but has dominated around the ground for the ladder leaders in 2021.
DANIEL McCALLUM
(Rostrevor OC)
The ROC defender is a consistent performer and provides plenty of drive out of the back half. Is also capable of pinch-hitting through the midfield and making an impact.
DYLAN AUCIELLO
(Payneham Norwood Union)
Not many fans head to the footy to watch defenders, but if there is one in the Adelaide Footy League who could draw a crowd it would be Auciello. The star Falcon is an aerial specialist and a key to his side’s success.
DYLAN REINBRECHT
(Rostrevor OC)
Tough, consistent and one of the best inside midfielders in the competition, Reinbrecht has come into his own this year in his second season at ROC.
DYLAN SCHOENMAKERS
(Tea Tree Gully)
TTG’s fifth-placed ranking upon promotion from division two has been in no small part due to the performances of Schoenmakers. The Gullies’ star midfielder is a consistent standout performer and can also go forward with terrific effect.
GAVIN SHEPHARD
(Port District)
The Magpies’ forward went through strong patches of form early in the season and from rounds six to eight when he was a key part of their three-straight wins. Has tailed off slightly of late but still deserves a spot on this list.
HAMISH WALLACE
(Adelaide University)
Across the first eight rounds Wallace featured in the Blacks’ best on all but one occasion. The defender established himself in coach Ben Watkins’ line up the previous two seasons and is now excelling.
ISAAC HEWSON
(Tea Tree Gully)
Hewson was a key recruit for the Wolves last year as they made their assault towards the second tier premiership and has slotted in seamlessly at division one level. The talented midfielder, who has reserves experience with Norwood, has been named in TTG’s best players six times so far this campaign.
JACK CARTER
(Goodwood Saints)
A best and fairest winner at Goodwood, the key defender has been a consistent force in the competition and has continued this season with several starring performances of late.
JACK GAFFNEY
(Port District)
The former Woodville-West Torrens midfielder is a key cog in District’s engine room and has taken on even more responsibility this season.
JACK LEWIS
(Unley Mercedes)
Lewis – a Crows SANFL development squad member – made his name in division one last year as a brilliant intercept defender before being thrown forward by new coach Adam Jeffries in 2021. His 23 goals leads the Jets and is eighth-best in division one.
JACK TRENGOVE
(Prince Alfred OC)
An injury-disrupted 2020 meant we had to wait to see the best of Trengove in the Adelaide Footy League and he has not disappointed. The former Melbourne, Port Adelaide and Sturt midfielder is the red hot favourite for the Keith Sims OAM Medal at this stage. Only once this season – round 12 – has Trengove not been named in PAOC’s best players.
JAKE VEIDE
(Rostrevor OC)
A late recruit by ROC, the ex-South Adelaide onballer has 114 SANFL games under his belt and it has showed in his first division one season. Has only missed one game since his debut for the club in round four.
JARMAN SIGAL
(Brighton Bombers)
Young defender Sigal – playing his first season of senior footy at the Bombers – has been the biggest beneficiary of first-year coach Brett Backwell’s plan to build from within. Has been named in Brighton’s best seven times so far – more than any other player.
JOCK McLEAY
(St Peter’s OC)
The league’s leading goal kicker was a no-brainer to appear on this list. McLeay, whose size and power gives opposition defenders constant trouble, is SPOC’s most valuable piece.
JONATHAN READ
(St Peter’s OC)
Another shining light for SPOC in a season which has been tough at times. Read can play in attack or defence and has done both to good effect, but his best footy has arguably been at full back this season.
KRISTIAN ROOCKE
(Payneham Norwood Union)
The SANFL premiership player and Redlegs 2017 leading goal kicker is highly valued at Payneham Oval and with good reason. Roocke is powerful in the contest and a difficult match-up when he goes forward, best displayed when he kicked four unanswered goals in 10 minutes to inspire PNU to a thrilling comeback win in round eight.
LIAM DAVIS
(Payneham Norwood Union)
Widely regarded as one of the best forwards outside of the SANFL, Davis is terrific contested mark and loves a bag. Has recorded three six-goal hauls already this season, including one on Saturday against Port District.
LOUIS SHARRAD
(Port District)
Sharrad departed Woodville-West Torrens in April and has since turned into the division one recruit of the year so far. A three-match suspension for rough conduct in round eight set the bullocking midfielder back but he has returned with stellar performances the past three rounds.
LUKE MANUEL
(Rostrevor Old Collegians)
Arguably the most dangerous of Rostrevor’s strong onball brigade, Manuel is a goal-kicking midfielder who can be extremely damaging when he gets off the chain. Booted five majors in a best on ground display in round seven.
MATT STENT
(Tea Tree Gully)
Stent was a hero in the Gullies’ 2018 division one flag triumph and returned to the club in the off-season. The big-bodied midfielder has been a regular contributor this campaign and will be key in the push for finals.
NICK FAVRETTO
(Goodwood Saints)
It doesn’t get much better than best and fairest in a premiership year. Goodwood gun Favretto achieved that in 2020 and is backing it up as the reigning premier’s most prolific performer once again this season.
NICK HOMBURG
(Goodwood Saints)
The Saints lost some talent from their flag winning side but also gained some key recruits, none more so than Homburg. The ex-West Adelaide midfielder has made an immediate impact at Goodwood Oval with his ability to accumulate the ball and use it well.
NICK JOLLY
(Payneham Norwood Union)
Jolly has been a cult figure at PNU for several years now but he has experienced a renaissance in form in 2021 and is a serious weapon for the Falcons. Coach Jace Bode revealed earlier this year the utility had dropped “20-25kg” in the off-season.
NICK McGILL
(St Peter’s OC)
McGill has slowly built himself into one of the competitions best players since joining SPOC in 2018. The running half-back’s fourth season has undoubtedly been his best. McGill is quick, skilful and reads the play very well.
NIGEL OSBORN
(Brighton Bombers)
While Osborn has not hit the heights of last season, the 2020 Keith Sims OAM Medallist has been a strong contributor for the Bombers. The strong midfielder his best game of the season on Saturday in the win over Unley Mercedes.
OLIVER CHEESMAN
(Unley Mercedes)
In a season which has been tough for Unley Mercedes, Cheesman deserves his spot as the second Jet on this list after a breakout campaign. A hard worker and has the ability to rack up huge disposal numbers.
OTIS CARTHY
(Brighton Bombers)
Carthy went on a brilliant three-game run from rounds nine to 11 where he was named the Bombers’ best in each match.
REECE SLAPE
(Goodwood Saints)
The rebounding defender has come on in leaps and bounds for the Saints this season. Often deployed as a loose defender by coach Luke Donaldson, Slape reads the play well to pick off intercept marks.
RYAN MARINI
(Adelaide University)
Only Jack Trengove has been named in the best players more times this season than Uni’s Ryan Marini. The Blacks midfielder has been consistent as they come this season and has relished the opportunity to perform stand-in skipper duties at times.
STEFAN LANZONI
(Rostrevor Old Collegians)
A young half-forward/midfielder, Lanzoni is a division one gun in the making at ROC. The youngster is in his second year at the club since graduating from Rostrevor and has been in terrific touch. Expect him to spend more time onball in the future as he builds his engine.
TOM BARTLETT
(Prince Alfred OC)
A crafty forward, the former Sturt man is looking revitalised as he enjoys a standout campaign for the Old Reds with 32 goals – equal third in division one.
TOM CARTER
(Goodwood Saints)
The big man has formed a potent one-two punch with Andre Paerella this season to give Goodwood a monopoly on hit outs in most games this season. His fiery competitiveness is often a spark for the Saints.
TYSON BRAZEL
(Prince Alfred OC)
A PAC old scholar, Brazel returned home from Queensland in the off-season to the Old Reds’ benefit. Equal third in division one with 32 goals alongside teammate Tom Bartlett, the key forward has given the ladder leaders an added attacking element.
WILL DALWOOD
(Prince Alfred OC)
Dalwood is the ever-present force in the Princes backline and has put together yet another strong campaign. The ex-Norwood and North Adelaide defender’s leadership, marking and lockdown ability is a key part of the Old Reds’ success.
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