The Mallee Football League’s top 30 players of 2022 ranked
The Mallee Football League is filled with tough as nails SA country footballers, so we’ve ranked the top 30 players of 2022. See who made the cut.
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The Mallee Football League is known for its tough and hard playing style and is stacked with some of SA country football’s most fearless and talented players.
After consultation with Lou Boughen and other league experts, The Messenger has ranked the top 30 players of 2022.
Those who had played less than eight games were ruled ineligible.
Grand final sides Pinnaroo and Border Downs Tintinara led the way for representation, with seven players each making the list.
Here are our rankings from number 30 to 1.
30. SAM JORDAN
(Pinnaroo)
Jordan came to the league as a high-flying key forward but has developed into a reliable defender.
Capable of taking strong intercept marks and setting up his side out of the backline with consistent disposal, Jordan has been a standout for the Supa Roos this year.
Has three best player nods in 13 games for his side.
29. SHANE PAECH
(Karoonda)
Paech finished third in the league goalkicking this season while also playing a role in the middle.
The Magpies gun is a strong mark as a key forward and can finish in front of goal from anywhere in and around the 50.
Tallied 30 majors to go along with eight best-player appearances this year and also played interleague.
28. CHRIS RUDIGER
(Karoonda)
Rudiger has been an exceptional defender for Karoonda through season 2022.
A strong backman who can take big marks and read the play well to intercept, Rudiger can also pinch-hit in the ruck or play up front.
Seven goals and three best-player nods in 11 games.
27. RYAN LEWIS
(Murrayville)
Murrayville’s captain remains one of his club’s most impactful players.
Lewis is a smooth moving midfielder with a big left boot who can set up forwards or chip in to kick long goals.
Has 14 goals and six best-player appearances in 16 games.
26. ALEX RADAK
(Murrayville)
Radak is an athletic ruckman who wins most contests and gives his Murrayville teammates first use in the middle.
The Bulldogs big man can win possession around the ground and also move forward to impact the scoreboard.
Has nine goals this season to go along with five best-player mentions.
25. BRODIE GEISLER
(Peake)
Geisler is a creative player through the middle who can also move up front and boot goals for the Lions if needed.
The talented midfielder can win his own ball and find any teammate with his elite kicking ability.
Has 18 goals and nine best-player appearances in his 16 games this season.
24. THOMAS HAMMOND
(Murrayville)
Hammond is a quick midfielder who sets up play from the midfield or along the wing.
Uses his pace to open teams up, carrying the ball to great effect and either finding teammates with efficient disposal or hitting the scoreboard.
Has 14 goals and 11 best-player mentions in 15 games for the Bulldogs.
23. LACHLAN LELLMANN
(Karoonda)
A clever midfielder who uses every possession well, Lellmann has been a standout for Karoonda each week in 2022.
An interleague player this season, he is able to have an impact in the middle and also find space in attack and boot goals.
Has 23 goals and 10 best-player appearances in 12 games.
22. CHRISTIAN VINCE
(Pinnaroo)
Vince remains one of the most effective onballers in the Mallee FL.
A big-bodied mid who is valuable at centre bounces, Vince works hard on the ball to win possession and deal to his teammates and can also push forward to kick goals.
Has 12 goals and nine best-player mentions in 14 games this year.
21. LACHLAN MILL
(Border Downs Tintinara)
An interleague and SA Country Championships player this season, Mill has been a force for the Crows.
A strong rebounding defender who can lockdown key forwards, Mill’s presence in the backline has been fundamental to his side’s success in 2022.
Has seven best-player appearances and two goals in 15 games for BDT.
20. LUCAS DI SOTTO
(Peake)
A former North Adelaide-listed player, Di Sotto has been a top 20 player in the Mallee FL in 2022.
The Peake gun is a smart midfielder who possesses a damaging left-foot kick.
Can also cover ground up front and kick a goal, slotting nine majors and tallying five best-player nods in 13 games.
19. GEORGE HEINTZE
(Pinnaroo)
Heintze is a young gun defender who has managed to develop his game significantly.
Adept at marking most forwards, Heintze can also play off talls and loves to run out of defence.
Has been among Pinnaroo’s best seven times in 10 games and also has multiple goals.
18. MACK PEDERICK
(Peake)
Pederick is one of the most promising young players in the competition and continues to see his star rise for Peake.
He can play midfield or half-back for the Lions and is a strong mark for a mid-size player.
Has nine goals and eight best-player nods in 17 games and also played interleague this season.
17. LACHLAN RICHARDSON
(Border Downs Tintinara)
Richardson remains one of the best midfielders in the Mallee Football League.
The veteran Crow is a tough in and under player who consistently gives his teammates opportunities by winning contested ball.
Can also move forward and hit the scoreboard, tallying six goals and four-best player mentions in 13 games.
16. LEWIS EINARSON
(Border Downs Tintinara)
The Crows key forward has produced another strong year up front for his side.
A strong player who is a danger on the lead and can take a strong mark out in front or in the air.
Einarson finished top in the league goalkicking at the end of the minor round with 56 goals and was also among Border Down Tintinara’s best on four occasions.
15. CAMPBELL BELLANEY
(Peake)
Playing predominantly across half-back, Bellaney has been a damaging player for Peake this season.
Bellaney is as fast as any player in the league and can open opposition sides up with his effective run and carry.
Can also push up the ground and play as a small forward, booting eight goals this season to go along with five best-player appearances.
14. ALEX KEOUGH
(Pinnaroo)
Keough has been one of the most consistent players in Mallee football throughout season 2022.
A massive accumulator of the footy, the Pinnaroo midfielder is a neat left-foot kick who sets up teammates and can also move forward to boot goals.
Has 29 majors to go along with eight best-player mentions in 16 games.
13. HAYDEN SCHILLING
(Border Downs Tintinara)
BDT’s captain can play in ruck or as a key defender and remains one of the most influential players in the competition.
A strong intercept marker and reliable distributor, Schilling also played interleague this season.
Three best-player nods in 13 games this year.
12. JARRAN CRABB
(Border Downs Tintinara)
Crabb rarely puts a foot wrong for BDT, playing a variety of roles.
Usually a ‘run with’ player – supporting teammates and earning the ball in a close checking role – Crabb can also play a more creative style, hitting teammates and opening up the corridor with excellent distribution.
Has six best-player nods in 11 games.
Finished equal third in the Mail Medal count this year.
11. NICK BAILEY
(Murrayville)
Bailey has been Murrayville’s best player this season.
He can play back, through the middle or up front and possesses strong skills by foot and hand, in the air and at ground level.
Has seven best-player mentions and 13 goals in 16 games for Murrayville and also took part in the Eastern Zone Carnival and the SA Country Championships.
Finished fourth in the Mail Medal.
10. BILLY MCNEILLY
(Lameroo)
Lameroo co-captain McNeilly has been a force yet again in the Mallee FL through season 2022.
A reliable veteran defender who gets the job done every week, McNeilly can lock down key forwards and also brings rebound from the backline with run and carry or damaging disposal.
Has six best-player nominations in 13 games.
9. JOSH BARRETT
(Lameroo)
Barrett is a key playmaker for Lameroo and takes a deserved spot inside the top 10.
Brings teammates into the game out of the middle and sets up play with skilful disposal and clever handball.
The Hawks co-captain has four goals and 11 best player appearances in 14 games this year.
8. CHAD KENNETT
(Border Downs Tintinara)
Nearing 200 games for Border Downs Tintinara, the Crows star has been a standout of the Mallee FL for a number of years.
Kennett is a hard inside midfielder who sets up teammates with ease.
Can also play across half-back if needed, putting his damaging disposal to good use.
Has six best-player mentions in his 15 appearances this year.
7. ALBERT DUNSTAN
(Border Downs Tintinara)
The winner of the Flow FM Footballer of the Year for the Mallee FL, Dunstan remains a force around the ground for BDT.
Predominantly playing through the middle for the Crows, Dunstan is a hard worker who consistently wins contested ball to supply his forwards.
Can also play in attack and hit the scoreboard.
Has 16 goals and 12 best-player mentions in 14 games.
6. NICK HYDE
(Pinnaroo)
Pinnaroo’s playing-coach remains one of the league’s best leaders and is most effective in the ruck.
Hyde is a clever big man who palms the ball well to teammates and can play as a key defender, reading the play well with intercept marking.
Has been among the Supa Roos’ best in 10 of his 17 appearances and also has two majors.
5. RORY O’DRISCOLL
(Pinnaroo)
O’Driscoll can play almost any position and has been dominant in a strong Pinnaroo side this year.
The club captain is a high possession-winner in almost every game he plays and his efficient and decisive disposal allows him to set up play for teammates.
Can also move up the ground and boot goals if needed, tallying 19 majors to go along with 13 best player mentions in 16 games this season.
4. TOM JONES
(Peake)
Finishing equal third in the Mail Medal this season, Jones has been the most dominant ruckman in Mallee football.
Jones consistently gets his hand to the ball first in ruck using his strength and athleticism and brings his midfielders into the game.
The former Glenelg player has seven best-player appearances in his 10 games for Peake this year.
3. GEORGE DUTTON
(Peake)
Playing in his first season in the Mallee Football League after arriving from Scotch old Collegians in the Adelaide Footy League, Dutton has taken out the competition’s best under 19 award and finished runner-up in the Mail Medal.
Despite being small in stature, Dutton remains a strong midfielder who works tirelessly to win clearances in the middle.
Has nine goals and nine best-player mentions in 13 appearances for Peake and also won the Leighton Huxtable Medal for the best Mallee interleague player.
2. NATHAN BROWN
(Karoonda)
Karoonda’s playing-coach has yet again been a clear standout in the middle this season.
The 2019 and 2021 Mail Medallist is a strong and reliable clearance player who works hard around the ground and is dangerous when resting up front.
The former interleague and zone captain has 10 goals and 10 best-player mentions in 10 appearances for Karoonda and also took part in the Eastern Zone Carnival again this season.
1. BEN MORONEY
(Pinnaroo)
The 2022 Mail Medallist has put together a sensational year for the Supa Roos as they aim for a premiership.
Moroney is a tall, fast-moving forward who creates space brilliantly on the lead and can take big marks in the air.
Finishing second in the league goalkicking with 53 goals before finals, Moroney can also put in a shift through the middle with clean skills and efficient ball use.
Has 14 best player-appearances in his 17 games this year.
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