The Eyre Peninsula’s top 50 footballers of 2025 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 2025. See who made the cut.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Eyre Peninsula has been filled with elite country footballers for decades and season 2025 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 2025.
Here are our rankings from no. 50 to 1.
50. FRASER SMITH
(Elliston Districts)
Smith has only played five games so far this season but remains a top GFFL player.
A versatile gun who can do damage with his disposal and also move up the ground to hit the scoreboard.
Three best player nods and five goals in five games.
49. MATT HARTWIG
(Tumby Bay)
One of Tumby Bay’s best this year.
A consistent worker around the ground who boasts great skills and makes smart decisions.
Has five best player mentions and seven goals in eight games.
48. LOCHIE PAECH
(Marble Range)
Paech is in the midst of another strong season on the EP.
A hard worker in the contest and around the ground, Paech wins his fair share of the footy and always makes the right decisions.
Has four best player nods in eight games.
47. JAMES RICHARDSON
(Cummins Rambler)
A top forward in the GFFL.
Richardson leads well, takes strong marks and can boot bags from anywhere.
Has 30 majors and five best player nods in nine games.
46. COOPER PERHAM
(Tasman)
A consistent contributor through the contest for Tasman.
Wins plenty of the footy, distributes well and applied important pressure for his side.
Has six best player nods and five goals in 10 games.
45. CLINT DONALD
(Ceduna)
Donald has been one of the Blues’ best this year.
A workhorse around the ground who always makes reliable decisions and wins contested footy with ease.
Eight best player nods in nine games.
44. JED BURTON
(Ranges)
A dominant player for Ranges again this year.
Burton’s ability to control the contest by winning the footy and finding teammates accurately under pressure makes him a standout.
Six best player nods and seen goals in nine games.
43. BILLY BYASS
(Lock)
A versatile player with the ability to take over a game, Byass has been a standout for Lock.
The GFFL gun can play a role up front if needed with strong marking ability and spatial awareness, or dominate through the middle.
Has 12 goals and four best player mentions in six games.
42. DECLAN SMITH
(Ports)
A tireless worker around the ground for Ports.
Smith reads the play well, racks up disposals with ease and distributes efficiently.
Has five best player nods through nine games.
41. TOM MCDONALD
(Tumby Bay)
One of the Blues’ standouts each week this year.
A top drawer midfielder in the GFFL who finds plenty of the footy and unlocks defences with his ability to release teammates by hand or foot.
Five best player performances in nine weeks.
40. RHYS KELSH
(Elliston Districts)
One of his side’s top contributors each season.
Kelsh has no issue doing the dirty work for the Roosters and can often win games with his ability to win the footy and find teammates.
Has five best player nods in eight games.
39. LUKE WILKINS
(Lincoln South)
One of his side’s most skilled players.
Wilkins has the ability to cut opposition up with his disposal and read the play to cut off a number of moves.
Five best player nods in 10 games.
38. 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.
Four best player nods in six games.
37. SHAUN MAXFIELD
(United Yeelanna)
A long time star for United Yeelanna, Maxfield has been dominant again this year.
Wins the footy around the ground and releases his teammates with clean disposal.
Has six best player mentions and eight goals in eight games.
36. JAMES NEALE
(Boston)
A superstar leader for the Tigers.
Neale’s ability to win the footy and find space before hitting teammates lace-out while under pressure makes him a standout for his side.
Has six best player nods in nine games.
35. DERICK WANGANEEN
(Mallee Park)
One of Mallee Park’s best this year, former CMS Crows gun Wanganeen has starred in the PLFL.
A talented and skilled player who wins the footy well and always distributes damagingly.
Has six best player nods in eight games.
34. 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 in eight games.
33. JOSH SEAL
(Kimba)
Formerly a star for Tasman, Seal joined Kimba for season 2024 and has been dominant for the Tigers again this year.
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 six best player nods in seven games.
32. BODHI FAUSER
(Boston)
A standout for the Tigers this year, Fauser has been one of Port Lincoln’s best.
A rangy player who cuts off a number of attacks and distributes brilliantly by hand and foot.
Has seven best player nods in nine games.
31. IAN JERICHO
(Wayback)
A damaging and versatile flankman who gets up and down the ground with great effect, Jericho has had an exceptional year.
Jericho provides integral run and carry across the flanks and can also take strong intercept marks in the back half.
Has seven best player mentions in 10 games.
30. TRAVIS BEARD
(Lock)
One of Lock’s top players this season, Beard has emerged as one of the best 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 22 goals and five best player nods in six games.
29. COREY MILLER
(Western United)
Miller has been a standout for his club so far this season.
Hard worker around the ground who takes strong marks, wins plenty of the footy and delivers well.
Seven best player nods in 10 games.
28. REUBEN HILL
(Cummins Kapinnie)
One of the GFFL’s top players this season.
One of the toughest to stop on his day, Hill is a reliable decision-maker and elite user of the footy.
Eight goals and eight best player nods in nine games.
27. AARON NIETSCHKE
(Kimba)
A standout for Kimba this season.
Nietschke is a tough player in the contest who wins his own footy, distributes well and can also hit the scoreboard.
Has nine best player mentions and eight goals in nine games.
26. JOE WALKER
(Tumby Bay)
One of Tumby Bay’s great players of this century, Walker has continued his dominance for the club this season.
A standout around the ground who racks up possessions and damages opposition with his disposal and high IQ.
Has five best player nods in eight games.
25. JAKE TURNER
(Ports)
A standout in the contest for Ports.
Racks up contested footy with his attack in congestion and can unlock defences with his disposal.
Has six best player mentions in eight games.
24. MICAH VAN LOON
(Central Eyre United)
CEU’s top player this season.
Van Loon can dominate a game around the ground with his big tank, high footy IQ and accurate distribution.
Has six best player nods and seven goals in seven games.
23. 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 seven best player nods and eight goals in 10 games.
22. AISEA RAIKIWASA
(Boston)
Raikiwasa has been integral for Boston so far this year.
Covers ground well to win plenty of the footy and find teammates with accurate and crafty disposal.
Has three best player performances in eight games.
21. JAKE WARMINGTON
(Western United)
Warmington has not tallied as many appearances as usual this year but still remains a top player on the EP.
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 top drawer.
20. 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 three best player nods in his four appearances so far and was also strong in Country Championships.
19. MURRAY WAITE
(Marble Range)
A dominant player up front for Marble Range this year.
Also a standout in the Country Championships, Waite has the ability to take big marks, kick important goals and set his teammates up.
Has 28 goals and four best player nods in nine games.
18. CAM TAHENY
(Ranges)
Former Norwood player Cam Taheny has been a big performer for Ranges so far this year.
A skilled player who can dominate up front or in the contest with his ability to find the footy and create with his disposal.
Has 23 goals and three best player nods in eight games.
17. 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 nine goals and six best player mentions in eight games.
16. ADAM MURNANE
(United Yeelanna)
One of United Yeelanna’s best performers this season, Murnane has had a standout 2025.
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 six best player appearances in eight games.
15. ASERI RAIKIWASA
(Boston)
Raikiwasa has been one of the standouts in the Port Lincoln FL for Boston.
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 five best player nods and seven goals in seven games.
14. 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 seven best player mentions in eight games.
13. JACK KENNY
(Ranges)
A former Mail Medallist in the EEFL, Kenny has been a standout this year.
Is a strong onballer who wins the contested footy, breaks lines and deals to teammates efficiently.
Has four best player nods in six games.
12. 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.
Watson is a tireless worker who covers ground with the best of them and can have an impact in any area with elite distribution and clean skills.
Has four best player nods in seven games.
11. BYRON PICKETT JNR
(Western United)
The son of Port Adelaide Norm Smith Medallist Byron Pickett, Byron Pickett Jnr has had his most dominant season yet on the EP.
A strong, skilled and exciting player up front, he takes plenty of big grabs, kicks bags of goals and can create for his teammates.
Has 56 goals in six games after an incredible 20-goal haul against Thevenard.
10. IAN MILERA
(Koonibba)
Former SANFL gun Milera has been at his best for Koonibba in the WEFL this year.
A supremely skilled player off of the deck and in the air, Milera racks up possessions and boots spectacular goals each week.
Has 31 majors and five best player nods in eight games.
9. COOPER LLEWELYN
(Ports)
Young gun Llewelyn has been one of the top performers in EP footy through recent years and 2025 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 nine best player nods and 19 goals in nine games.
8. DANIEL MINNEY
(Marble Rage)
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 five best player nods in eight games.
7. BEN JARVIS
(Lincoln South)
Joining Lincoln South from Norwood at the start of last 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 15 goals and six best player nods through 10 games and is an SA Country member.
6. JAXON BENNETT
(Elliston Districts)
Bennett has been dominant on the EP again this year despite less appearances due to Adelaide Crows SANFL commitments.
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 been made a member of this year’s SA Country side after a dominant Country Championships.
5. JESSE CHANDLER
(Western United)
Chandler has been dominant for Western United yet again this season.
Brother of fellow EP star Harlee Chandler and Melbourne’s 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 17 goals and six best player nods in 10 games.
4. 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 2025 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 skill overhead and by either foot or hand as well as the ability to find teammates when under pressure.
3. 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 21 goals through his eight games and is an SA Country member again this year.
2. ZANE MONTGOMERIE
(Lincoln South)
Star Lincoln South captain Zane Montgomerie has been a force again this year.
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 six goals and eight best player mentions in 10 games and is an SA Country member.
1. HARLEE CHANDLER
(Western United)
Still in his early 20s, Chandler has been one of the top young players in local SA footy for a number of years and has continued his dominance this season.
Brother of Melbourne’s Kade Chandler, Harlee is a tough player in the contest who boasts brilliant hand and foot skills and can also do major damage up front with his ability to finish from anywhere.
Has 25 majors and eight best player nods in 10 games and is a member of this year’s SA Country team.
Ditters deliver: 10 things we learned in local SA footy
The reigning AdFL div one premier bounced back for an important comeback win on Saturday, remaining on top of the ladder with finals fast approaching. See what we learned from the weekend’s country and suburban footy action.
Read more
Footy club risks losing historic oval access after 60 years
A country footy club faces a fight to stay on its historic home ground, because the local council says it’s too unsafe and should primarily be used for horses.
Read more