The Hills FL Country Division’s top 35 players of 2023 ranked
The Hills Football League’s Country Division is full of talented local footballers, so we’ve ranked the top 35 players of 2023. See who made the cut.
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The Hills Football League’s Country Division has gone from strength to strength in recent years and boasts some top SA country footy talent.
With the help of coaches and league insiders, we’ve ranked the top 35 players in the division in season 2023.
2022 grand finalists Meadows and Gumeracha topped the competition for representation with 16 players between them making the cut.
Note: Meadows superstar Brady Dawe is yet to play this season and did not make the cut.
Here are our rankings from no. 35 to 1.
35. JORDAN SADLER
(Birdwood)
An integral part of Birdwood’s line-up this season and also an interleague member, Sadler has solidified himself as a mainstay in the middle and across the flanks for the Roosters.
A tall player who can take big grabs and uses the ball efficiently, Sadler has four best player nods in his six games so far this season.
34. DOUGAL GRIEVE
(Torrens Valley)
A former Sturt man and state representative, Grieve joined Torrens Valley as a reliable utility after time with Bridgewater-Callington.
Grieve can play as a key at either end of the ground and has been a strong influence at the back this season.
Has two best player nods in five games.
33. ISAAC LALLARD
(Macclesfield)
A dominant onballer who can impact a game through the middle or up front.
Lallard has not played many games so far this year but remains one of Macclesfield’s most integral players and has been among the Blood and Tars’ best in every game he has played in 2023.
Attacks the contest relentlessly and uses the ball exceptionally well.
32. MATT GARDNER
(Kersbrook)
Kersbrook’s main big man, Gardner has battled well through what has been a challenging season for his club so far.
A big presence in the contest, Gardner can hit midfielders up with accurate tap-work or move up front to take big marks and kick goals.
Has three best player appearances and three goals in five games this year.
31. JORDAN ALLCOCK
(Birdwood)
Allcock has been an important player for the Roosters this year and provides security on and behind the ball.
Is competitive in the air and a clean user of the footy, tallying three best player nods in his six games this season.
30. ALEX MALLETT
(Gumeracha)
An integral part of Gumeracha’s side this season, Mallett looks set to have a fantastic 2023.
A smart player who delivers to teammates efficiently and can produce at a high level up front, Mallett has tallied four goals and two best player nods in four games.
Recently booted four against Meadows.
29. LIAM STIRLING
(Meadows)
A talented half-forward who can also pinch-hit in the contest, Stirling has been an important player for Meadows in recent seasons.
Strong in the air and a hard worker at ground level, Stirling has tallied eight goals and two best player nods so far this season.
28. ADRIAN ALBANESE
(Kangarilla)
A gun midfielder who works hard on the inside and deals to teammates with ease, Albanese has starred for Kangarilla through his 50 plus games with the club.
A workhorse for the Double Blues, Albanese is hard to bring down on the ball and can also hit the scoreboard with a booming kick.
Has four goals and four best player nods in his six games.
27. MAX BUCKLEY
(Meadows)
A gun halfback for Meadows, Buckley has been a key contributor in 2023 so far.
Buckley provides strong run and carry for the Bulldogs and is a great user of the footy, hitting teammates with pinpoint accuracy.
Two best player nods and a goal in five games so far this year.
26. RICKY EBERT
(Kersbrook)
The vice-captain of this year’s interleague squad, Ebert has had a big impact throughout his time at Kersbrook.
A strong onballer who gets up and down the ground well, Ebert is a standout with his ball use and tackle pressure.
Has three best player nods in his five games.
25. HARRISON BAILYE
(Macclesfield)
A consistent division one player for Bridgewater-Callington last season, Bailye has hit the ground running with Macclesfield in the Country Division.
A talented midfielder/forward who knows his way around goal, Bailye has five majors to go along with two best player nods in his five games for the Blood and Tars.
24. BEN BIAGI
(Gumeracha)
A reliable goalkicker for Gumeracha, Biagi has developed into a reliable forward option for the Magpies since arriving from Tanunda.
Biagi is a clean user of the ball who makes good leads up front and is adept at gathering in the contest and hitting the scoreboard.
Has nine goals and two best player appearances in six games.
23. NAT RYAN
(Macclesfield)
A star through the middle who can also play forward and kick goals, Ryan has been a dominant presence for Macclesfield this year.
Is an accurate kick around the ground and has no trouble finding teammates under pressure.
Has three best player mentions and six goals in four appearances this year.
22. JACOB COMLEY
(Meadows)
Full forward for the Bulldogs, Comley remains one of his club’s most important players.
A strong asset in the air who can kick goals from anywhere around the forward 50.
Has 10 goals in five games to go with two best player mentions.
21. ROBERT YOUNG
(Torrens Valley)
A battler in the contest who provides a cool head on the ball or at the back, Young’s versatility has been important for Torrens Valley in 2023.
Young has strong footy smarts and has been a workhorse for his side, tallying four best player nods in his five games this season.
20. LUKE SMART
(Meadows)
A tireless worker through the middle for Meadows, Smart has tallied over 100 games for the Bulldogs and has performed in nearly every one.
With a high footy IQ, a strong frame and consistent skills, Smart is one of the best on-ballers in the competition and should have a major impact in finals.
Has three best player nods and two goals in his five games so far.
19. MICHAEL WALTERS
(Gumeracha)
Gumeracha’s full forward, Walters remains one of the biggest goal threats in the HFL’s Country Division and will be an important part of yet another finals run for the club.
A strong target who has elite goal sense, Walters has a reliable pair of hands and is one of the best set shot kicks in the competition.
Has 13 goals and three best player nods in six games.
18. MARK THOMAS
(Meadows)
A gun onballer for the Bulldogs, Thomas was a standout for his side in its losing grand final against Gumeracha last year and has continued his form into season 2023.
A strong presence in the contest who always seems to have time on the ball, Thomas applies strong pressure and is an efficient user in tough moments.
Has three best player nods in five games this year.
17. LACHLAN FALCO
(Birdwood)
A consistent forward/midfielder who has a great feel for the game, Falco has proved his worth for Birdwood yet again this season.
The Roosters gun can finish on either side of his body and is also clean by hand and foot, consistently finding teammates in space.
Has 11 goals and four best player nods in six games.
16. LUKASS BLICAVS
(Torrens Valley)
A key signing for Torrens Valley in recent seasons, Blicavs has been an exceptional player in the ruck for his side.
Blicavs is capable of taking big grabs, moves around the ground well for a big man and has no problem delivering to his mids with consistent tap-work.
Has four best player nods and four goals in his five games so far.
15. BRODIE HAYLOCK
(Kersbrook)
Captain of this year’s interleague side and a dominant leader for Kersbrook.
Haylock attacks the footy relentlessly in the contest and provides a big presence for his side through the middle or at the back.
Has three best player nods in five games so far.
14. DANIEL GONZALES
(Torrens Valley)
A former gun for Mt Lofty and Bridgewater-Callington, Gonzales is a speedy live wire who can play up front or down the wing.
Gonzales uses his pace to burn opponents and either set up teammates with an accurate boot or hit the scoreboard himself.
Has been dominant so far this year with three goals and three best player nods in four games.
13. BEN EVANS
(Kangarilla)
Evans has developed into a star for Kangarilla and has been one of the side’s best performers again this year.
The gun Double Blue has the ability to play in the middle or up front, applying strong tackle pressure and booting goals in almost every game.
Has eight majors and four best player nods in six games so far.
12. ANDREW COOMBE
(Meadows)
A star lead for Meadows, the Bulldogs captain has started yet another season strongly as his side challenges for another premiership push.
A tough and relentless player who can dominate as a centre-half forward, Coombe wins plenty of the contested footy and also knows his way around goal.
Coombe has two best player nods and eight goals in five games.
11. MARQUES GRAHAM
(Gumeracha)
A standout player along the wing for Gumeracha, Graham beats teams with his pace and top quality ball use.
Graham has one of the best tanks in the competition, producing defensively and in attack along the flanks while also hitting the scoreboard efficiently.
Has four best player nods and six goals in five games.
10. JOEL HARVEY-FRIEL
(Kangarilla)
One of the standouts in the Country Division’s recent interleague game against the Riverland, Harvey-Friel has been at his best for Kangarilla in 2023.
A versatile player who can play on the ball or across the back, the former Henley gun gives the Double Blues a number of options and always makes the right decision with ball in hand.
Has four best player appearances in four games so far this year.
9. NICK THOMSON
(Birdwood)
Best on ground for the Hills Country Division against the Riverland during interleague over the weekend, Birdwood ‘s Nick Thomson has been at his best this season.
A skilled midfielder who disposes brilliantly by hand or foot, Thomson has been the Roosters’ most important player.
Has four best player nods and three goals in his six appearances so far.
8. JESSE RYAN
(Macclesfield)
A consistent midfielder who always has an impact for Macclesfield, Ryan has been among the best in every game he has played so far this year.
A workhorse for the Blood and Tars, Ryan either finds himself battling in the contest or streaming through packs to set his teammates up with elite kicking.
Has the ability to kick goals too, with four majors to go along with five best player nods in five games.
7. JACK DALGLEISH
(Meadows)
Dominating to start this season after a fantastic 2022, Meadows’ Jack Dalgleish sits firmly among the HFL Country Division’s best.
A versatile player who can play onball or on the flank, Dalgleish has a major impact with his damaging disposal and his ability to finds the footy.
Has three best player nods and five goals in his four games this year.
6. BEN HANNA
(Gumeracha)
Brother of Gumeracha teammate and superstar Sam Hanna, former Mail Medallist Ben has ben one of the Magpies’ most important players for multiple years.
Runner-up in the medal count last year, Hanna plays centre and can also move forward to have an impact.
Is hard at the footy and racks up disposals for fun.
Has two best player performances and two goals so far this year.
5. JAKE SPENCELY
(Meadows)
Jake Spencely joined Meadows with his brother Matt after a dominant tenure with the Magpies and has been at his best for the Bulldogs in season 2023.
Playing predominantly as a tough midfielder, Spencely works hard in the contest and can also move up the ground to hit the scoreboard.
Has four best player performances and eight goals in five games.
4. CHARLIE GRAEBER
(Gumeracha)
A star rover for Gumaracha, Graeber has been a star yet again this year after a standout 2022.
Graeber is an explosive player who wins plenty of contested footy and deals efficiently to teammates.
His awareness in the contest and ability to hit teammates makes him one of the most vital players in the Gumeracha line-up.
Has four best player nods and two goals in six games.
3. SAM HINDES
(Kangarilla)
The former South Adelaide Reserves player has been on fire since returning to Kangarilla for 2023, performing consistently as a hard-running midfielder who can put a shift in up front.
Hindes is a tireless player who can win his own footy and dispose to teammates and also hit the scoreboard consistently with either foot.
Has 13 goals and four best player nods in five games.
2. MATT SPENCELY
(Meadows)
The former Crows development player and Dean Bailey Award winner has dominated for Meadows since arriving from Waikerie with his brother, producing an elite level of footy up front and occasionally through the middle.
An agile and skilled player who is one of the cleanest by hand or foot in the competition, Spencely has a high footy IQ and the ability to either set up teammates with ease or hit the scoreboard himself.
Leads the league with 18 goals and has three best player nods in five games so far.
1. SAM HANNA
(Gumeracha)
Fresh off of two consecutive Mail Medals and a starring display in a winning 2022 grand final, Hanna has been a machine for the Magpies so far in 2023.
A strong and skilled player with safe hands and elite disposal by foot, Hanna has the ability to play anywhere on the ground, often dominating on the ball before moving up front or to the back if needed.
Has five best player nods and four goals in his six games so far this year.
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