The Eyre Peninsula’s top 50 footballers of 2024 ranked
The Eyre Peninsula is stacked with star country footy talent so we’ve drawn from the region’s four main leagues to rank the top 50 players of 2024. See who made the cut.
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The Eyre Peninsula has been filled with elite country footballers for decades and season 2024 has been no exception.
Based on this season’s form and with the help of the region’s four major leagues – the Eastern Eyre Football League (EEFL), Western Eyre Football League (WEFL), the Port Lincoln Football League (PLFL) and the Great Flinders Football League (GFFL) – we’ve ranked the top 50 players of 2024.
Players who had less than six appearances were ruled ineligible.
Here are our rankings from no. 50 to 1.
50. JED WOOLFORD
(Marble Range)
A talented and versatile big man for Marble Range, Woolford can do damage in the ruck or around the ground.
Woolford’s strength and athleticism allows him to match up with the Port Lincoln FL’s best big men and run them around the ground and he also distributes efficiently.
Has two best player performances through seven games.
49. TYRON WARREN
(Koonibba)
A champion in the Western Eyre FL, Warren has been one of the standout rucks in the competition again this season.
Highly skilled in the ruck, Warren feeds his midfielders with brilliant tap work and can also impact the play around the ground with his marking ability and clean disposal.
Has nine best player nods in 11 games.
48. ALEX FRASER
(Ceduna)
A dominant player in the Western Eyre FL for a number of years, Fraser has produced again in 2024.
The Ceduna star wins plenty of the footy for the Blues each week and always provides a safe option around the ground.
Has 10 best player nods in 12 games and also played interleague.
47. JACKSON MASIN
(Tasman)
A reliable player for Tasman in the contest and behind the footy, Masin has been strong this year.
Skilled overhead and in the contest, Masin always gets his hands on the footy in congestion and delivers around the ground well.
Has four best player nods and two goals in 10 games and was strong in the Country Championships.
46. IAN JERICHO
(Central Eyre United)
A damaging and versatile flankman who gets up and down the ground with great effect, Jericho has had an exceptional year.
One of the standouts at interleague, Jericho provides integral run and carry across the flanks and can also take strong intercept marks in the back half.
The CEU leader has tallied seven best player mentions for his club in nine games.
45. LACHLAN GALE
(Tumby Bay)
A highly consistent player for Tumby Bay this season.
Gale finds plenty of the footy on or behind the ball and is one of his side’s most reliable distributors.
Has eight best player mentions in nine games.
44. ADAM DAVIES
(Boston)
Boston’s best player this season, Davies has been a standout in the Port Lincoln FL.
Skilled on the footy and able to damage opposition with his disposal and smarts, Davies has been among the Tigers’ best six times and kicked four goals in 10 games.
Was also one of the best in interleague.
43. BEN CLEMENTS
(Kimba)
One of the top performers for Kimba in the Eastern Eyre FL this season.
Clements is a tireless worker in the middle who wins plenty of the ball in the contest and distributes to teammates efficiently or provides run and carry.
Has six best player nods and five goals in nine games.
42. WAYLON MILLER
(Lincoln South)
A skilled utility who can produce strong performances up front or on the ball.
Miller has been important for the Eagles this season, winning plenty of the footy and also kicking goals when needed up front.
Has 14 majors and three best player nods in 10 games, was one of the best interleague players and also played Country Championships.
41. REYNER CLARKE
(Western United)
One of Western United’s best this season, Clarke has been influential as a forward who can also do damage in the contest.
A tough and tireless player who is skilled overhead and below his knees, Clarke racks up possessions for the Tigers and can boot goals as a smart and skilled forward.
Has 14 majors and three best player nods in six games.
40. MACAULEY GLOVER
(Lock)
Joining Lock from Norwood at the start of the season, Glover has provided a welcomed boost for the Roos.
Able to play a number of positions, Glover can do damage with his presence behind the ball and is also a reliable target around the ground.
Has four goals and four best player nods in 10 games and was also a strong performer in interleague and SA Country Championships.
39. DWAYNE ETTRIDGE
(Western United)
A star goalkicker in the Western Eyre FL, Ettridge has had an exceptional 2024.
A strong and smart forward who leads well, takes big marks and boots important goals for his side.
Has 57 goals and seven best player nods through 12 games for the competition’s top team.
38. TOM LAAS
(Ports)
A dangerous mid for Ports, Laas has excelled in a number of roles this year.
Laas works hard through four quarters to provide an option for his teammates and can also create opportunities for himself and his side with an accurate leg.
Has five best player nods and nine goals in seven games.
37. CASEY BEARD
(Lock)
One of Lock’s most consistent players this season, Beard has excelled through the middle and behind the ball.
A strong and hardworking player, Beard’s ability to impact the contest with relentless attack on the footy and composed delivery makes him one of his side’s best.
Has six best player mentions and six goals in 10 games.
36. KINGSLEY BILNEY JR
(Koonibba)
One of the best midfielders on the EP for multiple years, Bilney Jr has been a star for Koonibba this season.
Racks up possessions easily for his side and works through congestion as well as anyone in the WEFL.
Is also dangerous when resting forward, with nine goals to go along with six best player nods in seven games.
35. CASEY CARR
(United Yeelanna)
A consistent star through a number of seasons for United Yeelanna, Carr has been a standout yet again for the Eagles.
Covers ground as well as anyone to rack up high disposal counts and also have an impact with his efficient distribution and goalkicking.
Has 21 majors and seven best player nods in 10 games and was also a Country Championships player.
34. MICHAEL CRETTENDEN
(United Yeelanna)
The star United Yeelanna leader remains one of the most damaging players on the Eyre Peninsula.
Crettenden possesses elite skills on either side of his body and is strong in the air.
He can boot goals up front or slide into the midfield and control the game with his disposal, tallying 17 goals and six best player nods through nine games this season.
33. STEVE PAUL
(Lincoln South)
A versatile player who fills a number of roles for the Eagles, Paul has emerged as one of the EP’s top names this year.
Capable of playing behind the ball, in the contest or up front to boot majors and set his teammates up, Paul has been one of Lincoln South’s most important players.
Has eight goals and four best player mentions in seven games and also played SA Country Championships.
32. HANK BURTON
(Ranges)
One of the top performers in the EEFL this season.
Burton’s ability to find space and rack up high disposal counts each week as well as hit the scoreboard makes him a weapon for Ranges.
Has 10 goals and seven best player nods in nine games and also impressed in interleague.
31. KY MILLER
(Mallee Park)
Joining Mallee Park after a strong 2023 with Tumby Bay, Miller has been among the EP’s best players yet again.
An athletic and skilled mid who can win contested footy and explode from congestion to deal to teammates and setup goals.
Has six best player nods and four majors in nine games and also played interleague.
30. CRUZ POLKINGHORNE
(Western United)
A star young gun for Western United, Polkinghorne has emerged as one of the EP’s best talents.
Dominant in the contest and across the flanks, Polkinghorne is one of his side’s best distributors and has had no issue hitting the scoreboard.
Has 15 goals and eight best player mentions in 11 games and also played Country Championships.
29. DANIEL BLYTHE
(Lincoln South)
A tough inside player who always gets the job done, Blythe has been a standout for Lincoln South.
Works hard all day for the Eagles and covers ground well to either win key possessions in the contest or provide a strong option for his teammates.
Has six best player nods through his nine games and also played SA Country Championships.
28. STEPHEN CRETTENDEN
(United Yeelanna)
A gifted utility in the GFFL, Crettenden has been a key part of United Yeelanna’s success yet again this year.
The SA Country Championships player is a smart mover across the forwardline and in the middle, often burning defenders with his leads and creating for teammates as well as booting majors.
Has 21 goals in nine games in the Great Flinders FL this season as well as five best player nods.
27. ASERI RAIKIWASA
(Ports)
Ports playing-coach Raikiwasa has been one of the standouts in the Eastern Eyre FL during an up and down year for his club.
The former Port Adelaide big man can dominate in the contest and in key positions, using his frame and instincts to quell attacks and win important possessions.
Has two best player performances for the Magpies and will be important in the business end of the season.
26. BRAYDEN MARTIN
(United Yeelanna)
The reigning Great Flinders FL Mail Medallist, Martin has produced another strong year for the Eagles.
A tireless worker around the ground who always finds the footy and creates space in congestion, Martin can often take over a game for his side.
Has seven goals and five best player mentions in nine games.
25. BROADIE CHANDLER
(Ceduna)
A top performer for Ceduna this season, Chandler takes a well-deserved spot in the top 50.
Chandler is a skilled midfielder who remains composed under pressure to find teammates and create goalkicking opportunities for his team.
Has eight best player appearances and three goals in 11 games and also played interleague this season.
24. BILLY BYASS
(Marble Range)
A versatile player with the ability to take over a game, Byass has been a standout for Marble Range.
The PLFL gun can play a role up front if needed with strong marking ability and spatial awareness, or dominate through the middle.
Has 17 goals and four best player nods in 10 games and was also impressive at the Country Championships.
23. JOSH SEAL
(Kimba)
Formerly a star for Tasman, Seal joined Kimba for season 2024 and has been dominant for the Tigers.
An important leader for his new side, Seal does great work in the contest to win the footy and is one of the EEFL’s best distributors.
Has seven best player mentions and two goals in nine games.
22. TOM CHARLTON
(Marble Range)
A talented key player who can perform in a number of roles.
Charlton’s ability to play on, behind or ahead of the ball makes him a weapon for Marble Range and he has no problem feeding his teammates with consistent disposal.
Has five best player nods and two goals in nine games and also played Country Championships.
21. MATT CRETTENDEN
(United Yeelanna)
Crettenden remains one of the Eyre Peninsula’s top goalkicking forwards in 2024.
Coming off of a sensational 2023 season in which he booted 58 goals in just eight games, Crettenden’s 39 goals currently has him ranked second to Travis Beard in the GFFL.
A strong and smart player with the ability to burn defenders on the lead and finish from anywhere, he also has three best player nods in eight games.
20. TRAVIS BEARD
(Lock)
One of Lock’s top players this season, Beard has emerged as one of the best goalkickers in EP footy.
A quick and powerful athlete who takes big marks and can boot goals from anywhere, Beard has been a weapon for Lock.
Has 45 goals to lead the GFFL this season and has been among Lock’s best in six of his 10 games.
19. JACKSON MURPHY
(Tumby Bay)
One of the top performers in the Great Flinders this year, Murphy has been a star for Tumby Bay.
An athletic and hardworking player who produces top performances in the middle and can also hit the scoreboard with efficient goalkicking.
Has 13 majors and eight best player mentions in nine games and was a reliable Country Championships player.
18. JONTY SEAL
(Wayback)
A force for Wayback yet again this year, Seal has put together a strong 2024 campaign so far.
A versatile midfielder who can also perform up front, Seal’s ability to win the footy, take big marks and cut up opposition with his disposal makes him one of the PLFL’s best.
Has five best player nods and 11 goals in eight games.
17. JOSH SLADE
(Marble Range)
A standout in SA Country Championships and interleague this year, Slade has been one of Marble Range’s top performers.
A strong and hard running player on the ball who applies great tackle pressure and always makes the right decisions in possession.
Has six best player mentions and four goals in nine games.
16. JESS KENNY
(Ranges)
A former Mail Medallist in the EEFL, Kenny has been back to his best for Ranges so far this year.
Kenny is a tireless worker around the ground who always hits the contest with courage to win the footy and deal to teammates with ease.
Has nine best player nods and five goals in nine games.
15. BILLY HAEBICH
(Tasman)
former Norwood youngster Haebich has been a standout on the EP yet again this year.
Dominating for Tasman through the middle, Haebich’s attack on the footy, run and carry as well as composed ball use makes him one of the most dangerous players in the competition.
Has six best player nods and three goals through his 10 games.
14. ADAM MURNANE
(United Yeelanna)
One of United Yeelanna’s best performers this season, Murnane has had a standout 2024.
One of the most dangerous players across the ground in the GFFL, Murnane has great skills overhead and by hand and foot and often damages opposition with his disposal.
Has nine best player nods and three goals in 10 games.
13. COOPER LLEWELYN
(Ports)
Young gun Llewelyn has been one of the top performers in EP footy through recent years and 2024 has been no exception.
The Magpies star is a machine in the contest, attacking the footy relentlessly to win key possessions and deal to his teammates with ease.
Has seven goals and six best player mentions in seven games so far.
12. JAKE WARMINGTON
(Western United)
Last season’s Western Eyre Mail Medallist, Warmington has continued his significant influence in the competition’s best side.
A damaging inside midfielder, Warmington’s ability to win the ball and explode from the contest to either deliver to teammates or kick for goal is almost unmatched.
Has 17 goals in eight games for Western United to go along with five best player appearances in the WEFL.
11. BEN JARVIS
(Lincoln South)
Joining Lincoln South from Norwood at the start of the season, gun forward Jarvis has been a weapon for the Eagles.
An athletic player with a booming leg who takes big marks around the ground to set his team up or give himself chances in front of goal.
Has 21 goals and four best player nods in eight games and is an SA Country member this year.
10. XAVIER WATSON
(United Yeelanna)
A premier midfielder in Eyre Peninsula football, Watson remains one of the best players in the region’s history and has produced another strong year so far.
One of the first selected for association footy, Watson is a tireless worker who covers ground with the best of them and can have an impact in any area with elite distribution.
The skilful onballer has tallied eight best player performances and three goals in nine games for the Eagles this year and was among Lincoln District’s best three times in interleague.
9. DANIEL MINNEY
(Marble Range)
The talented midfielder has continued his elite performances for Marble Range in the PLFL this season after arriving from Woodville-West Torrens in 2021.
The SA Country Championships player is a strong body who can outmuscle opponents in the contest and up front to create for teammates with top drawer distribution around the ground.
Has seven best player nods and four goals in his 10 games.
8. DOM DENTON
(Thevenard)
The 2021 WEFL Mail Medallist, Denton has established himself as a superstar leader of the Magpies through a number of years.
Denton is one of the most versatile players across the region, playing a role in the ruck as well as a key forward or key back.
He possesses high footy IQ and competes as well as anyone in the air.
Has kicked 17 goals to go along with 11 best player appearances in 12 league games so far and also played SA Country Championships.
7. JORDAN CLEMENTS
(Kimba)
A dominant onballer who joined Kimba from Marble Range for season 2024, Clement has been a major reason for the club’s strong run so far this year.
A tough player in the contest who wins plenty of his own footy and covers ground as well as anyone.
Clements has eight best player nods in eight games and was also an SA Country Championships standout.
6. JESSE CHANDLER
(Western United)
A superstar leader for Western United, Chandler has been dominant for his hometown club after a stint with Norwood in the SANFL in 2021.
Brother of fellow EP star Harlee Chandler and Melbourne young gun Kade Chandler, Jesse is a powerful and athletic forward and midfield utility who delivers to teammates with accuracy off of either side or takes big grabs, making him a terror for opposition.
Has 25 goals and seven best player nods in 12 games and is also an SA Country member this year.
5. JOHANN WAGNER
(Lincoln South)
Former Port Adelaide forward Wagner has had another exceptional year after coaching Lincoln South to their first flag in 20 years.
Wagner is a strong and athletic player who can perform as a skilled and damaging forward or play through the middle with his ability to win his own footy and distribute at a high efficiency.
Has 35 goals through his nine games for the Eagles so far and will also represent SA Country after a dominant Country Championships.
4. JAXON BENNETT
(Elliston Districts)
Playing the majority of his footy for Elliston Districts this season, Bennett has emerged as a true star of EP footy.
A versatile player who earns his stripes in the middle and inside 50 on occasion, Bennett is a strong, speedy and skilful asset for his side who can deliver to teammates well under pressure.
Has five best player nods and five goals in six appearances for his club, while also standing out in the SA Country Championships and being selected for the SA Country team to take on WA.
3. HARLEE CHANDLER
(Cummins Rambler)
Joining Cummins Rambler for 2024 following another strong season for Western United last year, Chandler has been at his best in 2024.
One of the most promising young players in local SA footy, the 21-year-old is versatile enough to play in any line and boasts brilliant aerial ability.
Relentless in the contest with the ability to find teammates anywhere on the ground and also finish for goal, Chandler has seven majors and six best player nods in six games and is also an SA Country member this year for the second consecutive season.
2. ZANE MONTGOMERIE
(Lincoln South)
Star Lincoln South captain Zane Montgomerie has been a force again this year after leading the Eagles to their first PLFL flag in 20 years last season.
A dominant and versatile leader who can play across the backline or through the middle, Montgomerie has the ability to impact every contest on the ground and in the air to either spoil, take big marks or dispose efficiently to teammates.
Has five best player nods in 10 games for Lincoln South, was one of the standouts in the SA Country Championships and is an SA Country member as a result.
1. KORY BEARD
(Lock)
The former Sturt and Marble Range star has taken the reins as playing-coach at his hometown club and has been dominant yet again in season 2024 to further establish himself as one of SA country footy’s top players.
An athletic and versatile player for the Roos, Beard can have an impact through the middle, behind the ball or up front, displaying brilliant skill overhead and by either foot or hand as well as the ability to find teammates when under pressure.
Has 29 majors through his eight games so far and should be a major contender for the GFFL Mail Medal.
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