The Adelaide Plains Football League’s top 30 players of 2022 ranked
The Adelaide Plains Football League is packed with strong country footy talent so we’ve ranked the competition’s top 30 players of 2022. See who made the cut.
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The Adelaide Plains Football League boasts some of the best country footy talent in South Australia.
After consultation with the competition, The Messenger has ranked the league’s top 30 players of 2022.
Top three sides Angle Vale and Two Wells had six players each selected, while minor premier Mallala had five.
Here are our rankings from number 30 to 1.
30. PATRICK BINYON
(Two Wells)
Binyon remains one of the best key defenders in the Adelaide Plains competition and takes a rightful spot in the top 30.
A tough and tireless fullback, Binyon has been a thorn in the side of multiple key forwards this year and consistently takes strong contested marks or makes spoils to quell opposition attacks.
Has 11 best-player mentions in 17 games and also played interleague.
29. JAMIE HUMPHRYS
(Two Wells)
Humphrys is a top drawer centre in the competition and has no issue getting his hands dirty for the Roosters.
A tough player with great delivery on either foot and a nose for goal, Humphrys has kicked 10 majors this year to go along with his six best-player appearances.
Also played interleague this season.
28. FRANK NOTO
(Angle Vale)
Noto has been a dominant half-forward this season.
A quick player with excellent skills in the air and on the ground, Noto provides elite pressure up front for Angle Vale and can finish brilliantly on the run.
Has 46 goals and eight best-player mentions in 16 games.
27. CHAD RUIZ
(Balaklava)
Ruiz put together a sensational run in the middle of the season for Balaklava, tallying eight performances among the club’s best in a row.
Ruiz is an efficient mid with a big tank and a knack for hitting the scoreboard – making him an invaluable asset for the Peckers.
Has 11 goals and 11 best-player nods in 18 games.
26. DANIEL TOWELL
(Angle Vale)
Towell works tirelessly for the Owls and has been one of his side’s most consistent performers this year.
Hard at it and boasting great hand skills, the Angle Vale gun contributes in the contest for his team and can also move up the ground and impact games.
Has nine goals and nine best-player appearances in 13 games.
25. JACOB KAJANTO
(Angle Vale)
Kajanto has been a consistent player along the flanks and through the middle.
The former South Adelaide player uses his athleticism and reliable disposal to damage teams.
Has six goals and 10 best-player mentions in his 15 games.
24. ABRAHAM HELFAND
(Balaklava)
An important player for the Peckers, Helfand’s work in the contest and ability to create for teammates sees him make this list.
Strong on the ball and assured in possession, Helfand has tallied six best-player mentions for Balaklava this year and has also hit the scoreboard with two goals.
Experienced a fast start to the year with four best-player nods in his first six games.
23. TREY MASON
(Mallala)
Mason’s work on the ball was of significant importance to Mallala’s minor premiership campaign.
An explosive and skilful mid who can burst from packs and hit teammates with disposal or kick goals himself.
Has tallied 15 goals and 15 best-player nods in 18 games and also played interleague.
22. TAIT NOTTLE
(Hummocks-Watchman)
Nottle’s work across half-forward sees him remain as one of the best forwards in the competition.
The Eagles star moves efficiently across the forwardline and can take big marks and boot goals from anywhere around the 50.
Has 26 majors and 11 best-player nods in 16 games.
21. BRAD WILSON
(Mallala)
A dominant onballer for the Magpies, Wilson’s performance this year has been a catalyst for his side’s success.
Wilson is a ball magnet and a clearance machine, and can also have an impact inside 50 with a nose for goal or for creating opportunities for others.
Has eight goals and seven best-player appearances in his 14 games for Mallala.
20. HENRY MCCABE
(Hamley Bridge)
A versatile asset for Hamley Bridge, McCabe has been one of the big standouts for the Bombers through season 2022.
McCabe who competes consistently in the air and can spoil or mark almost any ball, but he can also move up the ground and play a consistent role as a forward.
Has eight goals and eight best-player nods in 12 games.
19. DONALD WILLS
(Virginia)
Wills is one of the hardest workers in the Adelaide Plains Football League, dominating for Virginia on the ball and up front.
The Rams star competes tirelessly in the contest and wins his own ball and has the foot skills to either deliver to his teammates or boot goals himself when he plays forward.
Has 14 goals and nine best-player nods in 15 games.
18. DYLAN WISE
(Two Wells)
Wise’s ability to hit the scoreboard up front and have an influence through the middle makes him a weapon for the Roosters.
Wise is strong on the ball and can clunk multiple contested marks a game before finishing in front of goal or setting his teammates up.
Has 21 goals and eight best-player nods in 17 games and also played interleague this year.
17. JOEL HOLLOWAY
(Virginia)
Holloway has thrived in the contest for Virginia this year, acting as a ball magnet and a creator for his side.
Wins plenty of his own ball and can deliver with ease to teammates.
Can also hit the scoreboard with 10 goals to go along with his nine best-player mentions in 16 games this year.
16. KALE OLDS
(Mallala)
Olds is the league’s premier ruckman and was selected in this season’s team of the year.
Olds’ work in the ruck is second to none and he has no issue giving his midfielders first use.
The big man also covers ground exceptionally well and can kick goals, booting six this year to go along with nine best-player appearances in 12 games.
Also played interleague.
15. ADAM VARCOE
(Angle Vale)
The brother of former Geelong and Collingwood gun Travis Varcoe, Adam has been a star in the Adelaide Plains FL this year.
Varcoe is incredibly skilled on either side of his body and possesses clean hands, often setting up his teammates through the middle and up front.
He has tallied 23 goals and seven best-player nods in his 15 games this year.
14. JAKE BIRCHMORE
(Mallala)
A supremely talented key player, Birchmore remains one of the best and most versatile defenders in the competition.
The Magpies star does his best work off centre half-back but can also move up front to kick goals, putting his aerial ability and reliable kick to good use.
Has nine goals and 10 best-player nods in 15 games this year and also played interleague.
13. JAMES DALY
(Hummocks-Watchman)
Daly’s impact through the midfield has been as impactful as ever for HWE this year.
A skilful player who competes hard in the contest and always has time on the ball to make the right decisions, Daly tallied eight goals and nine best player appearances in his 16 games.
Finished equal fifth in the medal count this year.
12. JAYDN GOODFELLOW
(Angle Vale)
Goodfellow remains one of the most versatile stars in the Adelaide Plains FL and is able to have an impact both in the contest and forward of the ball.
The former North Adelaide star is a strong target ahead of the ball and is deceivingly agile for a big man.
Has 22 goals and seven best-player appearances in 14 games this year.
Finished equal fifth in the medal count.
11. DAVID HAYDON
(Two Wells)
A former Central District gun, Haydon is one of the best key backs in the competition.
Selected at fullback in the team of the year, Haydon is a strong and athletic defender who can shut down almost any key forward, take strong marks and put his damaging disposal to use out of the back half.
Has been named among the Roosters’ best in seven of his 13 appearances and was also equal eighth in the league’s medal count.
10. BEAU SHINNICK
(Angle Vale)
One of the best onballers in the league, Shinnick has produced another fantastic season for Angle Vale.
A tireless worker who possesses strong aerial ability and slick skills on the ball, Shinnick has 12 goals and 12 best-player nods in 16 games this year.
Was also an important part of Central’s SA Country Championships side.
9. TODD MILES
(Hamley Bridge)
Miles remains the best centre half-forward in the competition, the veteran Bomber continuing to perform at a high level across the forwardline each week.
An SA Country Championships and league team of the year member, Miles is a big and reliable target up front who can finish in front of goal himself or hit teammates lace-out.
Has 20 goals in 14 games this season and has had a hand in creating just as many for other players.
8. CALEB EDMEAD
(Two Wells)
Selected as the captain of the league’s team of the year, Edmead has had a top drawer 2022.
Trailing only Josh Studham for total goals this year, Edmead’s ability to win aerial contests up front and boot bags is almost second to none.
Has 57 goals and 10 best-player mentions in 17 games for the Roosters and also played SA Country Championships.
7. JOSH STUDHAM
(Hummocks-Watchman)
The star full forward of the Adelaide Plains competition, Studham leads all goalkickers in 2022.
Studham is a strong forward who is quick on the lead and can cleanly take delivery on the ground or in the air.
He is also a reliable finisher, booting 59 majors in his 16 games to go along with six best-player nods.
Also played interleague this year.
6. WILL PAYNTER
(Mallala)
A terrific player across the half-backline, Paynter has been a catalyst for Mallala’s success so far this season.
Can rip a game apart with his ability to intercept mark and hit teammates up the ground on the rebound, and also has the ability to move forward and kick a goal.
Has five goals and 10 best-player nods in 15 games and also finished third in the medal count.
5. ANGUS JUDD
(Hamley Bridge)
Another star along the flanks, Judd is the best run-and-carry player in the Adelaide Plains FL and has been damaging with his booming left boot.
An athletic and speedy player, the Bombers gun has starred yet again this season, setting up teammates with his rebound attacks or hitting the scoreboard.
Has six goals and 13 best-player nods in 15 games and also played in the SA Country Championships.
4. ETHAN KWATERSKI
(Hummocks-Watchman)
Selected at centre in the team of the year and also finishing runner-up in this year’s medal count, Kwaterski has again been a star for Hummocks-Watchman Eagles.
An athletic and skilful player with a big tank, Kwaterski remains one of the hardest players to stop in the competition with his ability to win the ball anywhere and distribute with efficiency.
Has 15 goals and 15 best-player appearances in his 16 games this season and also played interleague.
3. PAUL PUOPOLO
(Virginia)
The former Hawthorn and Norwood star has been a standout in the league since joining Virginia during the preseason.
A smooth and agile mover with silky skills, Puopolo has made an impact for his new club up front and in the contest, finishing brilliantly for goal or setting up teammates.
Has 20 goals and 10 best-player nods in 16 appearances and also finished fourth in the medal count.
2. LUKE BARNETT
(Two Wells)
The former Woodville West Torrens U18 player has been a force in the Adelaide Plains competition for multiple years.
A Mail medallist last season, Barnett has dominated again this year through the middle for Two Wells.
A strong and explosive player who loves the contest and can also move up front and hit the scoreboard, Barnett has kicked 26 goals and been among the Roosters’ best in six of his 12 games.
Also an important member of Central’s SA Country Championships side this season.
1. LACHLAN MICHAEL
(Balaklava)
This season’s Mail Medal winner, Michael has put together a sensational year for Balaklava.
The Peckers captain has been a force across half forward for his side, using his elite athleticism and strength to compete tirelessly for the ball in the air and at ground level.
Also boasts brilliant foot skills and has booted 44 goals and tallied 14 best-player mentions in 18 games as he readies to lead the club to a possible premiership this Saturday.
Was selected as vice captain in the Adelaide Plains FL’s team of the year.
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