The Mid North’s top 45 footballers of 2022 ranked
South Australia’s Mid North is packed with premium country footy talent so we’ve drawn from the region’s two main leagues to rank the top 45 players of 2022. See who made the cut.
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The Mid North of South Australia has been a regional haven for footballing talent for many years and season 2022 has been no different.
Based on this season’s form, we’ve consulted with local experts and ranked the top 45 players from the region’s two main competitions – the Northern Areas Football Association (NAFA) and the North Eastern Football League (NEFL).
Players who had less than nine appearances were ruled ineligible.
Here are our rankings from 45 to 1.
45. ADAM SMYTH
(Burra Booborowie Hallett)
Smyth remains a consistent performer up front for BBH who can also pinch-hit in the middle and make an impact.
A decisive and efficient player with ball in hand, Smyth regularly hits the scoreboard or finds teammates in better positions.
Has 23 goals and three best-player nods in 14 games.
44. JOHN NICHOLAS
(Orroroo)
Nicholas’ performance in the midfield and behind the ball wins him a spot inside the top 45.
The Roos gun is a strong mark and always makes the right decisions with the ball.
Has four goals and eight best-player mentions in 17 games and made the interchange in the NAFA team of the year.
43. MATT WHITE
(Jamestown-Peterborough)
While Jamestown-Peterborough struggled this year, Matt White remained a consistent highlight for the club.
A player who loves the contest, whether in the air or on the ground, and is often the spark plug for his team.
42. LUKE KAPITOLA
(Crystal Brook)
Making the interchange in this season’s Northern Areas Football Association team of the year, Kapitola has provided a much-needed boost for Crystal Brook in 2022.
A consistent and skilful player through the middle and along the flanks who has a booming boot.
Has eight goals and 11 best-player nods in 15 games this year.
41. TODD MOSEY
(Eudunda Robertstown)
Mosey has been a top drawer key defender in the NEFL for multiple years and this season has been no different.
The Saints stalwart sticks to forwards like glue and can spoil or mark almost any ball.
Has three best-player appearances in his 16 games.
Also an interleague representative.
40. CHASE WEBSTER
(Burra Booborowie Hallett)
BBH’s vice captain has been a strong leader through the middle for his club yet again this year.
Webster is hard at it and never backs down in the contest, winning the ball and dealing to teammates throughout four quarters in almost every appearance.
Has four goals and nine best-player mentions in 14 games and also played interleague in NEFL.
39. NICK MCCALLUM
(Booleroo Melrose Wilmington)
A consistent key player who can have an impact at either end of the ground for BMW.
Making the NAFA team of the year as a back, 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 five goals and six best-player appearances in his 15 games.
38. COOPER BEHN
(Riverton Saddleworth Marrabel United)
Behn has produced yet another standout season for RSMU both in the contest and up front.
A sturdy player on the ball who can win his own footy and deliver to teammates with ease, while also moving up the ground to hit the scoreboard.
Has 11 goals and six best-player nods this season.
37. JACOB LANGDON
(Crystal Brook)
Langdon has been a standout key defender in the NAFA this season.
A strong and skilful defensive presence who does brilliant work at ground level, Langdon is a calming influence at the back for Crystal Brook.
Has five best-player nods in 11 games this season and also played interleague.
36. CHARLIE HELBIG
(North Clare)
Helbig’s work on the defensive end and through the middle gives him a top 35 spot in this list.
Playing his first A Grade season with North Clare, Helbig showed his ability to win the ball in the air and distribute to teammates anywhere around the ground.
Has eight best-player appearances in 13 games and was also an interleague member in the NEFL.
35. ZIEK KAY
(Southern Flinders)
One of the best key defenders in the Northern Areas Football Association.
Kay is an imposing force at the back, competing tirelessly in the air and at ground level to prevent clear-cut opportunities in front of goal for opposing forwards.
Has 12 best-player appearances this season in 17 games and also played interleague.
34. ASHLEY BRUCE
(Brinkworth Spalding Redhill)
Selected on the wing in the NEFL team of the year, Bruce has been a star for BSR this season.
A damaging player who hurts teams with his run and carry, disposal and ability to kick a goal, the gun Tiger has tallied 11 goals and six best-player mentions in 16 games.
Also played interleague this year.
33. BRAD TAYLOR
(Booleroo Melrose Wilmington)
Taylor’s versatility for BMW makes him a weapon in the Mid North.
Predominantly playing forward but also able to impact through the middle or out wide, Taylor is one of the best kicks in the side and can also hit the scoreboard.
Has 12 goals and 12 best player nods in 14 games.
32. LEVI KRAUSE
(Rivertown Saddleworth Marrabel United)
Krause is a consistent contributor for RSMU in the contest and up front.
Strong in the air and boasting efficient disposal off either leg, Krause consistently sets up teammates in front of goal.
Has seven majors in his 13 games and was selected in the team of the year off half-forward.
31. JAMIE ROBINSON
(Booleroo Melrose Wilmington)
One of the best contested players in the NAFA, Robinson has been a standout for BMW almost every week.
A terrific centre who dives into any contest and deals to teammates with composure and efficiency.
Has 15 best-player nods in 16 appearances this season.
30. ANGUS ASHBY
(Brinkworth Spalding Redhill)
Best on ground in this season’s NEFL grand final against MinMan Eagles, Ashby has been one of the Tigers’ most important performers.
A hard worker in the contest who wins his side plenty of footy throughout each game, Ashby can tear a game apart with his tenacity and disposal.
Has three goals and six best-player nominations in 16 games including the big dance.
29. DYLAN HEWETT
(Broughton Munoora)
A significantly important part of Broughton Munoora’s 2022 campaign, Hewett has been at his best coming off the backline.
The star flanker and midfielder boasts clean disposal off both feet and provides excellent run and carry to damage opposing sides.
Has five best-player performances in his 17 games.
28. CONNOR O’BRIEN
(Orroroo)
The Roos have seen some of O’Brien’s best form this year, the gun forward impacting almost every game he has played.
O’Brien is a tireless worker up the ground and through the forwardline, leading strongly for the ball and delivering to teammates.
He can also boot majors from anywhere around the 50, slotting 35 home this season to go along with 10 best-player nods.
27. ZACK HIER
(Rivertown Saddleworth Marrabel United)
Hier’s performance in the backline has made this season one of his best.
A player with strong presence who can compete in the air and on the ground and also cover ground with a damaging boot, Hier has six best-player nominations in 12 games.
He finished equal fifth in the medal count as a defensive player.
26. TOM SPANOVSKIS
(Mintaro Manoora)
Spanovskis has been a force up front for the Eagles.
The former Prince Alfred Old Collegians spearhead has made life much easier for his teammates since arriving in the offseason, taking big marks up front and either kicking bags himself or setting others up.
Has 39 majors and five best-player appearances in 15 games this year.
25. LUKE HAYES
(Brinkworth Spalding Redhill)
An elite performer off half-forward and in the contest, Hayes has had yet another strong year for the Tigers.
The NEFL star has been a threat in the middle with his slick disposal keeping opposition players on their toes, and is also able to move up front and impact the scoreboard, tallying 10 goals with nine best-player appearances in 17 games.
Also played interleague this year.
24. BRYCE DAMIN
(Broughton Munoora)
Another talented back flanker for Broughton Munoora, Damin has been one of his club’s most consistent performers this season.
A damaging user of the ball off of either leg and an excellent intercept mark, Damin has tallied 10 best-player appearances in his 14 games.
Has been a major catalyst for his side’s success.
23. MITCHELL SMITH
(Southern Flinders)
The Tigers vice captain has remained one of the best centres in the NAFA through 2022.
Smith is always composed on the ball and finds time and space in any situation in order to deliver to his forwards.
Has 12 best-player mentions in 16 games.
22. ALEX KANGUR
(Booleroo Melrose Wilmington)
An outstanding onballer in the Northern Areas FA, Kangur solidifies a spot inside the top 20.
The star BMW competitor is a bull in the contest, often getting his hands dirty and winning the hard ball for his side.
He can also hit the scoreboard, booting nine majors to go along with 14 best-player nods in 16 games.
21. BILL SANDOW
(Mintaro Manoora)
The former Mail Medalist has been in strong form again this season for the Eagles.
A strong presence ahead of the ball who can take an athletic mark or win the ball at ground level and create for teammates.
Has 12 goals and four best-player nominations in 13 games this year and also played interleague for the NEFL.
20. COOPER HAYES
(Brinkworth Spalding Redhill)
One of the best defensive players in the Mid North, Hayes’ presence off of the backline 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 five best-player mentions and a major in his 17 appearances and was also a key part of Northern’s SA Country Championships side.
19. HAMISH LATCHFORD
(Mintaro Manoora)
Latchford has been one of the Eagles’ many guns through 2022, dominating off of half-back.
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 seven goals and eight best-player nods this year.
Also played interleague.
18. SAM DYER
(Broughton Munoora)
The top goalkicker and premier full forward in the NAFA, Dyer’s position inside the top 20 is well-deserved.
A strong and reliable target who is almost unstoppable one-on-one and takes multiple strong contested marks a game, Dyer has tallied 60 goals and three best-player nods in his 17 games this season.
Selected forward in the team of the year.
17. ISAAC MOLLER
(Brinkworth Spalding Redhill)
Moller has been the standout key forward in the NEFL this season, presenting as the best target option up front throughout the year.
The Tigers 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 54 goals and seven best-player mentions in his 17 games and also played interleague in 2022.
16. ED COLLEY
(Mintaro Manoora)
Colley has been a standout performer for MinMan Eagles again this year, producing consistently in the midfield.
A reliable player with ball in hand who can push forward and create for himself or set up teammates, Colley has 10 goals and nine best-player mentions this season.
Finished fifth in the league’s medal count.
15. JOEL AMBJERG-PEDERSEN
(Southern Flinders)
Ambjerg-Pedersen serves as the perfect accomplice up front with fellow star Shane Ballantyne at Southern Flinders.
A skilful and strong forward, Ambjerg-Pedersen’s goal sense and ability to hit teammates in better positions makes him a tough matchup for any defender,
Has 35 goals and six best player appearances in his 17 games and also represented Northern in the SA Country Championships.
14. MATT PRIOR
(Eudunda Robertstown)
An outstanding key player in the NEFL, Prior’s ability to do a job on key or half-forwards at the back or rotate up front and set up teammates or kick goals makes him a major threat.
Prior is also a creative player for the Saints, picking apart opposition teams and finding teammates with pinpoint disposal either by hand or foot.
Has four goals in his 16 games and was also selected in the team of the year.
13. LUKE BOWMAN
(Orroroo)
Bowman’s competitiveness on the ball makes him one of the most impactful players in Orroroo’s lineup.
A tireless player in the contest who has the ability to move up the ground and hit the scoreboard, Bowman has 28 goals and 11 best player nominations in 18 games for his club.
Also competed in this season’s SA Country Championships.
12. KUIAM GIBUMA
(North Clare)
Kuiam Gibuma has been a star during a challenging season for North Clare in the NEFL.
One of the best onballers in the Mid North, Gibuma is a pacy and skilful player through the middle and also has a nose for goal, often kicking multiple goals out of the contest up front.
Has 16 majors and nine best-player nods in 14 games.
Also played interleague.
11. CODY WOOLFORD
(Mintaro Manoora)
Woolford’s performance for his club and in the SA Country Championships this season has again made him a standout in the region.
An explosive and skilful player who can stream through midfield or across the flanks, Woolford has had an impact in the contest and up front for the Eagles.
The MinMan champion has 26 goals and seven best-player appearances in his 16 club games this season.
10. LIAM NEWTON
(Burra Boobrowie Hallettt)
One of the best half-backs in the Mid North, Newton is one of the most dangerous defenders in the North Eastern Football League.
The BBH star is consistently a standout for his side, quelling opposition attacks and hurting opponents with his run and carry while remaining strong in the air and at ground level.
Has 11 best-player nods and two goals in his 14 games this year and finished third in the medal.
9. HENRY SLADE
(Orroroo)
Slade’s ability as a backman makes him a premier defender in the Northern Areas FA and in the Mid North region.
Often tallies multiple intercept marks a game and is a damaging user out of the defensive half, setting up his team for successful rebound attacks and cutting the opposition open.
Has nine best-player nominations in 18 games and also played SA Country Championships.
8. LEO COATES
(Crystal Brook)
Coates remains one of the elite forwards in the Mid North after another sensational season with Crystal Brook.
Fast off the mark and with a big tank, Coates is adept at covering ground and providing an option for midfielders to connect with the forwardline.
Can also hit the scoreboard consistently with great finishing ability off either side.
Has 34 goals and eight best-player nods in 17 games and also played SA Country Championships.
7. KANE BOWLEY
(Broughton Munoora)
Bowley’s work at centre has again been a catalyst for Broughton Munoora’s success this season.
A strong midfielder with a damaging boot, the vice captain of the team of the year has tallied 13 goals and 11 best-player appearances in 11 games.
Was also an interleague player this year.
6. WILL PRATT
(Blyth-Snowtown)
Blyth-Snowtown’s captain has again been a force in the ruck for his side in 2022.
A strong player who wins the footy in the contest and feeds possession to his midfielders with brilliant tap work, Pratt has two goals and 10 best-player mentions in 12 games.
Was also a team of the year member and a player at the SA Country Championships.
5. CHRIS SCHMIDT
(Eudunda Robertstown)
The former West Adelaide premiership captain has been a gun centre the Saints this season.
A strong midfielder with a big tank who consistently wins his own ball and finds teammates with top drawer foot and hand skills.
Has four goals and 12 best-player nods in 15 games and was also selected in the North Eastern FL team of the year.
4. ALEX MORGAN
(Brinkworth Spalding Redhill)
Morgan’s performance as an onballer who can move up the ground and boot goals has been huge for BSR this season.
The Tigers star is an athletic and skilful player who works tirelessly around and ahead of the contest to impact the game for his side.
Has 30 goals and 10 best-player nods in 17 games and finished runner-up in the NEFL Mail Medal.
3. KALLIS FREER
(Broughton Mundoora)
The NAFA Mail Medalist this season, Freer remains a premier onballer in the Mid North.
The BMFC star and former North Adelaide player is a machine in the contest and wins countless clearances for his side while also finding teammates with elite disposal.
Has three goals and 12 best-player mentions in 12 games.
2. CHARLIE RIGGS
(Mintaro Manoora)
This season’s North Eastern Football League Mail Medalist, Riggs’ impact for MinMan Eagles has been significant.
The club captain is a versatile player who can have an impact as a key at either end of the ground or pinch-hit through the contest.
Has 13 best player nods in his 16 games, was part of the SA Country Championships and was also named captain in the NEFL team of the year.
1. SHANE BALLANTYNE
(Southern Flinders)
Ballantyne has had another outstanding year for Southern Flinders and in the SA Country Championships.
A strong and athletic half-forward who uses the ball efficiently on either side of his body.
Has no issue taking a big contested mark and finishing in front of goal from any angle or setting up teammates, with 35 goals to go along with 13 best-player appearances in 17 club games.
Was named in the team of the SA Country Championships, playing against WA Country, and was also named captain of the NAFA team of the year.
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