The Mid North’s top 40 footballers of 2024 ranked
South Australia’s Mid North is packed with top country footy talent so we’ve drawn from the region’s two main leagues to rank the top 40 players of 2024. See who made the cut.
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The Mid North of SA has been a regional haven for footy talent for many years and season 2024 has been no exception.
Based on this season’s form, we’ve ranked the top 40 players from the region’s two main competitions – the Northern Areas Football Association (NAFA) and the North Eastern Football League (NEFL).
Players who had played less than five games so far this year were ruled ineligible.
Here are our rankings from no. 40 to 1.
40. MAX FLOWERS
(Southern Flinders)
A member of the North Adelaide U18s last season, Flowers has emerged as one of the Mid North’s top young talents in 2024.
Flowers can play a number of roles around the ground, is an impressive athlete, always makes good decisions under pressure and is capable of kicking bags of goals.
Has 20 majors and eight best player nods in 11 games for the Tigers.
39. LIAM NEWTON
(Burra Booborowie Hallett)
The top player for BBH this season, Newton has put together an impressive 2024 so far.
A tireless and tough worker in the contest, Newton wins plenty of his own ball and supplies teammates well with efficient disposal.
Has nine best player nods and four goals in nine games.
38. AARON FIELKE
(Crystal Brook)
The former West Adelaide premiership player has been a strong asset for Crystal Brook since joining from Westminster OS at the start of 2023.
An explosive and strong target up front, Fielke has a strong set of hands and is almost impossible to stop one-on-one.
Has 21 goals and a best player nod in seven games.
37. NICK MCCALLUM
(Booleroo Melrose Wilmington)
A consistent key player who can have an impact at either end of the ground for BMW.
McCallum is adept at spoiling or marking forward entries and can also rotate forward to take big grabs and hit the scoreboard when needed.
Has a goal and six best player appearances in his 11 games.
36. KUIAM GIBUMA
(North Clare)
A standout onballer for North Clare, Gibuma has been one of the Mid North’s top players in 2024.
The former Port District player boasts great pace and impressive skills through the middle and can create a number of opportunities for his side.
Has five best player nods and three goals in nine games.
35. DECLAN DUFFY
(Orroroo)
A strong player on the ball, Duffy has been one of Orroroo’s best so far in 2024.
Finds plenty of his own footy and creates space for his team with reliable disposal and powerful running.
Has seven best player nods and a goal and 11 games.
34. WILLIAM HEWETT
(Broughton-Mundoora)
A consistent star in the NAFA, Hewett has been a standout in season 2024.
Hewett has the ability to play up front as a consistent target who knows his way around goal, but also has a major impact in the contest as a hardworking ball magnet.
Has 17 goals and six best player nods in 11 games and was a standout in interleague with two goals against the NEFL.
33. ASHLEY BRUCE
(Brinkworth Spalding Redhill)
A consistent member of the NEFL team of the year, Bruce has starred up front for the Tigers this season.
An imposing player with reliable skills, strong marking ability and an accurate kick for goal, Bruce has been a force in front of the big sticks.
Has 38 majors and four best player nods in nine games.
32. COOPER HAYES
(Brinkworth Spalding Redhill)
One of the best key utilities in the Mid North, Hayes’ presence off of the backline and up front for BSR Tigers has been a catalyst for the club’s strong season.
A reliable and assured defender who can compete with the NEFL’s best forwards and also set up his team coming out of defence with elite delivery.
Has six best player mentions and a goal in nine games and also played interleague.
31. DANE PFITZNER
(Southern Saints)
One of the standout big men of the NEFL, Pfitzner has put together a strong season so far for the Saints.
Gives his mids first look at it in the contest with strong ruck work and can also impact the game at the back or up front as a big target with safe hands.
Has five best player nods and three goals in nine games.
30. MATT GRIGG
(South Clare)
The best performer for the Demons this season, Grigg has had a standout 2024.
One of the NEFL’s toughest players, Grigg hits the contest hard to win the footy for his side and create opportunities ahead of the ball.
Has eight best player appearances and eight goals in nine games.
29. DARREN HUGHES
(Orroroo)
One of Orroroo’s most consistent performers, Hughes had a sensational finals run for the Roos last season and has been strong for the reigning premiers again this year.
Covers ground as well as anyone and wins plenty of his own footy before distributing to teammates efficiently with damaging disposal.
Has six goals and eight best player nods in 10 games.
28. TYSON LAUNER
(Eudunda Robertstown/Southern Saints)
A contested beast who can also move behind the ball and have a major impact, Launer has been a star for the Saints this NEFL season.
A tireless player for his side, Launer wins plenty of his own footy and can find teammates with ease by hand or foot.
Has five best player mentions and three goals in his nine games so far and also played interleague.
27. LUKE BOWMAN
(Orroroo)
Bowman’s competitiveness on the ball makes him one of the most impactful players in Orroroo’s line-up.
A tireless player in the contest who has the ability to move up the ground and hit the scoreboard, Bowman has 20 goals and five best player mentions in 11 games.
Was also one of the best for the NAFA in interleague.
26. NICK JAENSCH
(Riverton Saddleworth Marrabel United)
Has been a standout across the backline and in the contest for the Hawks this year, providing a calm presence on the ball as well as elite disposal.
Formerly a star with Nairne Bremer in the Hills, Jaensch is a tireless runner who always goes hard at the contest and can move up the ground to hit the scoreboard.
Has 11 goals and four best player performances in his nine games.
25. CHARLIE HELBIG
(North Clare)
Helbig’s work on the defensive end and through the middle makes him an important player for the Roosters.
Helbig has showed his ability to win the ball in the air and distribute to teammates anywhere around the ground while also creating scoring opportunities for his side.
Has five best player appearances and three goals in nine games and was also an interleague member in the NEFL.
24. ZIEK KAY
(Southern Flinders)
Joining Southern Flinders full-time after spending most of the 2023 season with Lock in the Great Flinders FL, Kay has been a standout for the Tigers.
Playing off of half back and in the contest, Kay finds plenty of the ball, makes good decisions and sets up teammates for scoring opportunities up the field.
Has nine best player nods and three goals in 11 games.
23. LEO COATES
(Crystal Brook)
A premier forward/midfield utility in the Mid North, Coates has been a standout yet again this season.
Fast off the mark with a clean set of hands, Coates covers ground exceptionally well to provide an option for midfielders and forwards and is one of the toughest players to defend in the NAFA.
Has 35 goals in 11 games for the Roosters as well as five best player nods and played interleague against the NEFL and Adelaide Plains.
22. RORY KUMNICK
(Booleroo Melrose Wilmington)
A hard runner who can play a number of roles, Kumnick has been a standout for the Lions so far this season.
Kumnick finds plenty of the footy, has clean skills and can either create for his teammates or finish opportunities in front of goal himself.
Has 17 majors and six best player nods in 10 games.
21. LUKE HAYES
(Brinkworth Spalding Redhill)
The younger brother of Jack Hayes, Luke has starred yet again for BSR this season.
The NEFL star has been a threat in the middle with smart disposal and is also able to impose himself in a number of other roles around the ground.
Has six best player nods and seven goals in nine games and played interleague again this year.
20. XAVIER REDDEN
(Orroroo)
Joining the reigning NAFA premier after a starring season with RSMU in the NEFL, Redden has excelled for the Roos so far this year.
A dominant midfielder who runs all day and hits the contest hard, Redden can damage opposition with his ability to win the footy and find teammates.
Has four best player mentions in seven games so far.
19. KALLIS FREER
(Broughton-Mundoora)
A former NAFA Mail Medallist, Freer remains a star onballer in the Mid North.
The BMFC star and former North Adelaide player is damaging in the contest and wins a number of clearances each week for the Eagles.
Has seven best player mentions through nine games so far and has also kicked seven goals.
18. ALEK KANGUR
(Booleroo Melrose Wilmington)
A star leader for BMW, Kangur has produced a strong season as his side looks to win an NAFA flag after last year’s disappointment.
Kangur is a skilled player who produces his best footy against the best Mid North sides, finding plenty of the ball and damaging opposition with his disposal.
Has 13 goals and seven best player nods in 11 games.
17. HAMISH LATCHFORD
(Mintaro Manoora)
Latchford has been one of the Eagles’ many guns through 2024, dominating off of halfback and through the middle.
An athletic and skilful player who can hit teammates lace out from the flanks or move up the ground and hit the scoreboard himself, Latchford has tallied four goals and three best player nods this year.
Has also played for the UTS Australian Football Club in the AFL Sydney competition.
16. BRODIE LAUNER
(Eudunda Robertstown/Southern Saints)
Launer has been one of the best for the Saints during a strong year for the club.
A tireless worker through the middle who wins plenty of his own footy and deals to teammates with precision around the ground.
Has five best player performances and 11 goals in nine games.
15. WILL PRATT
(Blyth-Snowtown)
Pratt has been a major positive for Blyth-Snowtown during what has been a challenging season for the club.
A longtime star for the Cats, Pratt can take over a game in the contest, finding plenty of his own footy and delivering to teammates efficiently while under pressure.
Has eight best player nods and two goals in nine games and was also a standout in interleague.
14. ISAAC MOLLER
(Orroroo)
A standout key forward in the NEFL last season, Moller has been a force since joining Orroroo in the NAFA.
The Roos spearhead leads by example across the forwardline, taking strong grabs and finishing for goal or setting up teammates for easy opportunities while taking the key defender of every opposition side.
Has 40 goals and seven best player mentions in his 11 games and also played interleague.
13. JACKSON RICHMAN
(Crystal Brook)
Signing with Crystal Brook after a year in AFL Canberra, Richman has been one of his club’s top performers this NAFA season.
A strong and skilled player on the ball who can also dominate a game up front with his goalkicking prowess and ability to create for teammates.
Has 19 goals and seven best player nods in 11 games and booted four against the Adelaide Plains in interleague.
12. LACHIE JAESCHKE
(North Clare)
A star defender of the Mid North, Jaeschke is in the midst of another strong season for the Roosters.
Jaeschke competes well in the air and at ground level, often takes strong marks at the back and also disposes efficiently to players up the ground.
Has six best player mentions in nine games and also impressed in interleague.
11. MATT SPENCELY
(Southern Flinders)
Signing with the Tigers after a standout season with Meadows in the Hills Country Division, Spencely has been a force around the ground for his new side.
One of the most skilled players in the Mid North, Spencely is clean off of the deck and overhead and provides efficient disposal when on the ball.
Can also have an impact up front as a skilled forward and has 14 goals and nine best player nods in 10 games.
10. LACHLAN HOILE
(Riverton Saddleworth Marrabel United)
A skilled and athletic player who can play in a number of roles for RSMU, Hoile has been one of the best in the Mid North this year.
Hoile is a silky player who can intercept the footy at the back and create with his reliable left boot and also provides strong run and carry through the middle for the Hawks.
Has six best player nods and 13 goals in nine games and also kicked three against the Yorke Peninsula FL in interleague.
9. BEN GEYTENBEEK
(Broughton-Mundoora)
Formerly a star player with Happy Valley in the Southern Football League and RSMU last season, Geytenbeek has been dominant for Broughton-Mundoora this year and is currently the NAFA’s top goalkicker.
Geytenbeek is almost unstoppable on the lead and boasts great marking ability and a big leg, kicking goals from anywhere in and around the forward 50.
Has 31 goals in 10 games for the Eagles to go along with eight best player nods.
8. CHARLES RIGGS
(Mintaro Manoora)
Riggs has had another strong season for the Eagles after a standout 2023 campaign.
The club captain is a versatile and athletic player who can have an impact as a key at either end of the ground and can also dominate through the middle with his ability to win contested footy and distribute to teammates.
Has five goals and six best player nods in his nine games so far and also played interleague against the NAFA and Yorke Peninsula.
7. MATT LONGBOTTOM
(Brinkworth Spalding Redhill)
A highly impactful player for the NEFL’s best side so far this season, Longbottom has been a force through the middle.
Longbottom is a strong, athletic and courageous player who has a great footy IQ and can hit the scoreboard consistently for his side.
Has nine goals in nine games to go along with seven best player nods and also played interleague where he was one of the best against the NAFA.
6. CODY WOOLFORD
(Booleroo Melrose Wilmington)
Woolford has taken his game to another level for BMW this season after a solid 2023 campaign for the club.
A dominant player through the middle who runs hard all day and services his teammates with accurate disposal.
Can also hit the scoreboard well with 18 goals to go along with his nine best player nods in 11 games.
5. WILLIAM SANDOW
(Mintaro Manoora)
Runner-up in last season’s NEFL medal count, Sandow has been on fire so far in 2024.
A strong presence in the contest who can take strong marks, win important possessions and create for teammates.
Has seven best player nods and three goals in his nine games so far.
4. SHANE BALLANTYNE
(Southern Flinders)
Southern Flinders has struggled so far this NAFA season but Ballantyne has remained at his brilliant best for the Tigers.
A strong and athletic half-forward utility who plays a number of roles, uses the ball efficiently and can finish on either side of his body, Ballantyne has no issue taking big contested grabs and booting big goals from any angle.
Has 19 goals and 10 best player nods in 11 games and was a star player in interleague.
3. BLAKE LAUNER
(Eudunda Robertstown/Southern Saints)
One of the NEFL’s top players so far this season, Launer has been dominant for the Saints since returning from time with Central District.
A versatile player with clean skills and a high footy IQ, Launer is capable of taking strong marks and also hitting the scoreboard efficiently.
Has eight best player appearances and 23 goals in nine games and was also a standout against the NAFA in interleague.
2. JACKSON LEE
(Brinkworth Spalding Redhill)
A SANFL League player with Port Adelaide last season, Lee has had a fantastic campaign so far for home club BSR.
Lee is a skilled and tireless onballer who can also play on the flanks, making tough contests and providing important run and carry and accurate ball-use for his team.
Has eight best player nods and 12 goals through nine games so far and was also a standout in interleague.
1. WILL COMBE
(Crystal Brook)
Combe has been a star for hometown club Crystal Brook since returning after a strong career with North Adelaide in the SANFL.
The gun onballer was part of the 2022 SANFL Advertiser Team of the Year and has continued his form at local level since, hunting the ball in the contest to either set up teammates with precise disposal or hit the scoreboard himself.
One of the best runners and athletes in the NAFA, Combe has 10 best player nods in 11 games and has also booted 21 goals so far.
Was named best on ground twice in two games for the NAFA in interleague.
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