The Far North Football League’s top 25 players of 2023 ranked
SA’s smallest local competition, the Far North Football League, still boasts plenty of footy talent, so we’ve ranked the top 25 players of 2023. See who made the cut.
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The Far North Football League is one of SA’s smallest local footy competitions, with just four clubs and 15 rounds a year, but still boasts promising country talent.
Based on this season’s form, we’ve ranked the top 25 players the competition has to offer.
Here are our rankings from no. 25 to 1.
25. BILLY HODGES
(Hornridge)
The former Peake and District player has performed consistently for Hornridge this season in the FNFL.
A damaging forward who competes relentlessly at ground level and in the air, Hodges has nine goals and two best player nods in four games.
24. DARNELL RYNNE
(East Roxby)
One of the most promising young players in the competition, Rynne has put his potential on show this year.
The 16-year-old forward/midfield utility has elite pace and damages sides with his accurate disposal and comfort in front of goal.
Has four majors and three best player nods – all against the top three sides – in five games.
23. LEONARD RHIND
(Hornridge)
Also a member of the West Coast Hawks in the Western Eyre FL, Rhind has been a consistent factor across the backline and in the middle for Hornridge this year.
A hard runner who competes consistently in the air and at ground level, Rhind has three best player mentions and a goal in seven games.
22. MICHAEL SHAW
(Olympic Dam)
Only playing five games for Olympic Dam last season, Shaw has increased his output significantly this season.
A strong player behind the ball who takes a number of intercept marks each week and can also produce through the middle.
Has three best player nods and a goal in his seven games so far.
21. LAYTON WESTON
(Hornridge)
Arriving from Mitchell Park in the Adelaide Footy League, Weston has impressed for Hornridge.
Covers ground at a high level for the Magpies and is one of the side’s most accurate kicks.
Has three best player nods and two goals in five games.
20. BRODIE CADEN
(East Roxby)
A former representative for the Far North FL combined side, Caden has produced at a consistent level for the Roos this year.
A hardworking midfielder who does his best work in the contest, Caden brings grit to his side and is skilled off of either side of his body.
Has three best player appearances and two goals in his six games.
19. JEREMY SEZUN
(Roxby Districts)
Another former FNFL representative, Sezun provides a big presence for the Miners through the middle and up front.
Sezun uses his size to gain an advantage over his opposition, taking big grabs and dealing to teammates with ease.
Has four majors and three best player mentions in eight games so far.
18. BRYCE SMITH
(Hornridge)
Also representing Colonel Light Gardens in recent seasons, Smith has spent more time up front for Hornridge this year and produced some strong footy.
A solid player who is clean below his knees and makes smart and quick decisions for the Magpies.
Has 14 goals including an eight-goal performance against Roxby Districts as well as two best player nods in six games.
17. LIAM MURPHY
(Roxby Districts)
A gun through the middle for Miners, Murphy remains one of the best in the FNFL this season.
While he has not matched his performance level of last season so far, Murphy’s ability to provide run and carry through the middle and also kick goals makes him one of his side’s most important players.
Has four majors and two best player nods in six games.
16. TRAVIS WAIT
(East Roxby)
One of the most improved players in the competition this year compared with last season’s output, Wait has starred for the Roos.
Relentless in the contest, Wait battles hard for his side each week and can also impact the game inside the forward 50 by creating for teammates or finishing himself.
Has three majors and four best player nods in six games.
15. NATHAN NUNAN
(Olympic Dam)
While he is yet to produce the same level of footy for Olympic Dam as he did last season, Nunan remains integral to his club’s success.
Able to play in a variety of positions, Nunan can provide a strong body in the contest or behind the ball, or move up the ground to hit the scoreboard on occasion.
Will be a key player for the Devils in this year’s finals series.
14. CALEB CHIPMAN
(Hornridge)
The former Gaza player has been one of his new side’s best since arriving for the 2023 season.
Chipman is a hard runner who consistently supports fellow mids and defenders and distributes brilliantly around the ground.
Has three goals and two best player nods in six games.
13. MICHAEL WANGANEEN
(East Roxby)
The former Salisbury North player represents Roopena in the Whyalla Football League but has also been a star for East Roxby this season.
A skilled player who goes hard in the contest, Wanganeen has no issue winning the footy for his side and distributing to midfielders or forwards up the ground.
Has two best player nods in his four games.
12. HENRY HALL
(Olympic Dam)
Also a star for Jamestown-Peterborough in the Northern Areas FA, Hall has been one of the many standouts at Olympic Dam this year.
A quick and damaging player who uses the ball exceptionally well and can find teammates with precision under pressure.
Has three best player mentions and two majors in four games.
11. TOM PICKERING
(Hornridge)
The Magpies’ top goalkicker so far this season, Pickering has been at his best in the FNFL.
An athletic player with the ability to compete as well as anyone in the competition in the air and create for others around goal, Pickering has 14 goals and three best player nods in his seven games so far this season.
10. LUKE WEBB
(Olympic Dam)
Also a gun for Wallaroo in the Yorke Peninsula FL, Webb has been one of Olympic Dam’s best through season 2023 so far.
A highly skilled forward and midfielder, Webb is one of the cleanest players by hand in the Far North FL and can boot goals from anywhere in and around the forward 50.
Has seven goals and four best player nods in his four games so far.
9. TYLER CARROLL
(East Roxby)
The former Seaton Rambler has been East Roxby’s standout since joining for season 2023.
Carroll brings an explosive and skilful ability to the Roos’ line-up and battles hard in the contest while also providing run out wide.
Has five best player nods to go with three goals in his six appearances so far this year.
8. KALLAN HEAD
(Hornridge)
The former Karoonda player joined Hornridge after the disbandment of the Mallee FL and has not disappointed for his new club.
A consistent player who can fill a variety of needs across the ground, Head works as hard as anyone in the competition and always makes good decisions under pressure.
Has three best player mentions and a goal in his five games for the Magpies.
7. ANTON GERARDIS
(Roxby Districts)
The competition’s top goalkicker so far this season, Gerardis has been at his best for the Miners.
Reliable in one-on-one positions with a strong set of hands, the gun forward is clean in the air or off of the deck and can either create for teammates or finish in front of goal himself.
Has 23 majors and three best player appearances in six games.
6. JACK SIRES
(Roxby Districts)
Joining from Sacred Heart OC in the pre-season, Sires has been a standout in a number of roles for the Miners this year.
One of his side’s most consistent players, Sires is a strong athlete and never stops running through four quarters, damaging sides with reliable disposal under pressure.
Has four best player nods through his eight games so far and will be a big factor come finals.
5. IAN MCBEY
(Olympic Dam)
A superstar for Olympic Dam through a number of years, McBey has been one of the competition’s best again this season.
A versatile player who can produce up the ground or in the contest, the Devils veteran boasts elite skills by hand and foot and has dominated almost every week so far this season.
Has nine goals and five best player nods in eight games.
4. ADAM JACKSON
(Roxby Districts)
Joining the Miners in the pre-season after a number of successful years with Pinnaroo and Lameroo in the Mallee FL, Jackson has been one of the standouts in the FNFL this year.
A skilled forward who can play a number of roles around the ground including in midfield, Jackson is efficient by foot and can either hit the scoreboard or create for his teammates with reliable distribution.
Has 11 goals – including a nine-goal showing against East Roxby – and four best player mentions in four games.
3. LEVI KONITZKA
(Olympic Dam)
A former SA Country star, Konitzka has starred for Olympic Dam this year.
Playing mostly as a forward and midfield utility for the Devils this season, Konitzka can damage opposition in a number of ways and puts his strong frame to use in the air and at ground level.
Has 18 goals and four best player nods in six games so far.
2. JACK RIGDEN
(Hornridge)
Rigden has been a player on the rise for Hornridge through recent seasons and has been at his best so far in 2023.
The 2021 Mail Medallist is a star in the midfield who has the ability to win a number of contested possessions and set-up teammates ahead of the play with efficient disposal.
Has five best player mentions and four goals through his eight performances this season.
1. BRAD HOEPNER
(Olympic Dam)
Also a star for Nuriootpa in the Barossa, Light and Gawler FA, Hoepner has remained one of Olympic Dam’s top performers through a number of years.
Fresh off of a FNFL Mail Medal last season, Hoepner has been a force through the middle again during season 2023, attacking the contest hard and also moving up the ground to hit the scoreboard.
A strong player with a big tank and consistent skills on either side of his body, Hoepner has eight goals and three best player nods in his four games so far.
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