The River Murray Football League’s top 40 players of 2024 ranked
The River Murray Football League is packed with talent and remains one of SA’s best country footy competitions, so we’ve ranked the top 40 players of 2024. See who made the cut.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The River Murray Football League has been as exciting as ever in 2024 and remains one of SA’s top country footy competitions.
Based on this season’s form and with the input of league insiders, we’ve ranked the top 40 RMFL players for 2024.
Here are our rankings from 40 to 1.
40. SAM SANDERS
(Coorong)
A strong midfielder/forward utility for Coorong, Sanders has the ability to win plenty of the ball on the inside and can also play a lead-up forward role.
Has not been as impactful as he was during his brilliant 2023 campaign but has still been one of the most dangerous players in the competition on his day.
Has 13 goals through his five games so far.
39. SHANE PAECH
(Mallee Districts)
One of Mallee Districts’ top players last season, Paech has been a standout yet again this year.
A skilful player who can damage sides with his disposal by foot or hit the scoreboard.
Has 15 goals and three best player appearance in his five games so far.
38. SAM DE MICHELE
(Imperials)
Returning to Imperials this year after a strong 2023 with Barmera Monash in the Riverland FL, De Michele has been a solid contributor so far this year.
A smart small forward who can also slot in the Imps midfield, De Michele keeps the opposition on its toes with quick skills and decision making.
Has six goals and three best player nods in seven games.
37. ALBERT DUNSTAN
(Coorong)
An important player for the Cats in the contest and up front, Dunstan has been a consistent performer this year.
Skilled overhead and at ground level, Dunstan is one of his side’s most dangerous players and can create for himself or others.
Has 15 goals and three best player nods in seven games.
36. TOM MICKAN
(Tailem Bend)
A versatile and reliable player for the Eagles, Mickan has been one of the competition’s best performers so far this season.
Finds plenty of the ball each week, competes hard in the air and at ground level and has no trouble hitting teammates with accurate disposal when under pressure.
Has five best player nods in eight games and also played interleague.
35. KEYNAN HARRADINE
(Ramblers)
A strong, big-bodied midfielder known for his toughness and fearless attack on the footy, Harradine tallies multiple tackles each game and applies valued pressure for the Roosters.
Has seven goals and two best player nods in six games so far this season.
Also played interleague for the RMFL against the Hills FL.
34. RYAN MCKAYE
(Jervois)
One of the Bluds’ most consistent players in recent years, McKaye has been as reliable as ever to start the 2024 season.
A skilled player with a big tank and damaging boot, McKaye provides a composed presence in the contest for his side.
Has four best player mentions and three goals in seven games.
33. BLAKE TABE
(Mannum)
Returning to Mannum full time this season after a year mostly with the Sturt reserves in 2023, Tabe has been a standout for the Roos.
The 2021 Mail Medallist is an extremely versatile player who can line up anywhere and boasts excellent skills and an explosive takeoff.
Has 11 goals and three best player nods in seven games.
32. SHILO DABINETT
(Southern Mallee)
Dabinett has improved significantly on his season 2023 output for Southern Mallee to become one of the top Suns in 2024.
A standout in a number of roles, Dabinett is a skilled player who always makes good decisions under pressure.
Has five best player nods in seven games and also played association.
31. JACK LEWIS
(Ramblers)
An athletic player who can play at either end of the ground, Lewis has been a star performer for the Roosters this season.
Impressive overhead with great foot skills, the gun utility has caused issues for almost every opponent so far in 2024.
Has four best player nods and 10 goals through seven games.
30. HENRY TURNER
(Coorong)
A solid performer for Coorong last year, Turner has improved during his start to the 2024 season with a series of impressive performances for the Cats.
A versatile player who can dominate in the contest and provide security behind the ball, Turner has been among his side’s best in four of seven games.
Also played interleague for the RMFL.
29. LEVI KRAUSE
(Mannum)
Joining Mannum this year after a number of seasons as playing-coach with Riverton Saddleworth Marrabel United in the North Eastern FL, Krause has been dominant in the RMFL.
The former Sturt SANFL League player is a workhorse around the ground, strong in the contest and efficient by foot.
Has two goals and four best player mentions in seven games.
28. PAT DAVIES
(Mypolonga)
Davies has only played four games so far this season but should emerge as one of the RMFL’s top midfielders throughout the rest of the season.
A workhorse who can dominate the contest and impact the scoreboard, the former North Adelaide man is one of the hardest players to stop when in form.
Has two goals and a best player performance in his four games so far.
27. TAITE SILVERLOCK
(Jervois)
The former West Adelaide utility has been a major part of the recent success Jervois has had in the RMFL and has been a standout again so far this season.
Has a strong footy brain and can play in a number of roles for the Bluds, using his ability to find the ball and deliver efficiently to teammates.
Has two best player performances and two goals in seven games.
26. RORY TAGGERT
(Mypolonga)
While Taggert has taken some time to find his feet at Mypolonga after joining from Naracoorte, the former Melbourne and Sturt forward is still one of the most talented players in the competition.
A versatile forward who can have an impact around the ground, Taggert takes big grabs, makes important contests and can kick bags of goals.
Has 18 majors and a best player nod in seven games.
25. HENRY OLSSON
(Mallee Districts)
Olsson was a top performer for Mallee Districts last season and has been his side’s best so far this year.
Tough in both aerial and ground level contests, Olsson is a strong leader who provides an important presence for his side in big games.
Has four best player performances in six appearances.
24. JADEN WARD
(Tailem Bend)
An emerging young gun in the River Murray FL, Ward has been one of Tailem Bend’s most important players during a challenging season so far.
A strong target with safe hands and a reliable kick, Ward has proved tough for any opposition to handle as he continues to develop into a star.
Has 22 goals and five best player nods in seven games.
23. BRAD THOMPSON
(Coorong)
A star for the Cats last season, Thompson has been a standout for his side again in season 2024.
Tough in the contest and an excellent user, the gun utility is a valuable player around the ground who can boot goals and set up teammates.
Has 10 goals and three best player performances in seven games.
22. NICK HOMBSCH
(Mypolonga)
Hombsch has been a standout for Mypolonga up front and through the middle this year.
A strong target with safe hands and a reliable kick for goal, Hombsch can also influence the game in the middle by earning contested possessions for his side.
Has booted 15 majors in seven games and has been among the Tigers’ best on four occasions.
21. PATRICK FAHEY
(Mannum)
Joining Mannum from division one Adelaide Footy League side St Peter’s OC ahead of this season, Fahey has provided a big boost for the Roos.
Fights hard in the contest and applies strong pressure through the middle to win the footy and feed his teammates with efficient disposal.
Has two goals and four best player mentions in seven games.
20. WILL CRANE
(Imperials)
A consistent contributor for Sturt’s reserves side last season, Crane has been big for Imperials since returning to the club for 2024.
Crane is a hardworking midfielder/forward utility who damages sides with his ability to win the contested footy and deal to teammates while under pressure or finish in front of goal.
Has 12 majors and four best player nods in seven games.
19. LACHLAN THOMAS
(Jervois)
One of the top young players in the league, Thomas has been a key player for the Bluds since joining from Tailem Bend ahead of season 2023.
Typically at his best as a midfielder or wing, Thomas can also move into a half-forward role if needed.
A quick player with excellent skills and a high footy IQ, he has two goals and two best player mentions in his six games.
18. SEAN SAMBLICH
(Imperials)
A key player for Imperials up front and through the contest, Samblich has had one of his best starts to an RMFL season this year.
Clean off of the deck, a strong mark and a reliable shot for goal, Samblich can take over a game for his side.
Has 14 majors and four best player nods in seven games.
17. BEN MORONEY
(Southern Mallee)
Moroney has only played three games this season but remains one of the top players in the RMFL when available for Southern Mallee.
A player who can dominate both up front and through the contest, Moroney has a strong set of hands and is reliable as a distributor or in front of goal.
Has six majors and three best player nods in three games and was one of the competition’s best during its association game against the Hills FL.
16. TOM KEOUGH
(Southern Mallee)
The former West Adelaide captain and Gold Coast- listed player has been the perfect leader for Southern Mallee since it entered the league in 2023.
The Suns captain is one of the most versatile players in the competition and has the ability to impact the game behind the ball, in the contest or up front.
A strong and explosive player who possesses elite skills, Keough has nine goals in five appearances and has been his side’s best on two occasions.
15. JACK PENFOLD
(Imperials)
One of the top players in the competition last season, Penfold has had a strong start to his 2024 campaign.
The former Sturt player has a big motor, is strong on the ball and can move forward to hit the scoreboard for his side.
Has 13 goals in his seven games and has been named among Imps’ best three times this season.
14. ALEX STIDIFORD
(Coorong)
The reigning RMFL Mail Medallist, Stidiford has had a solid start to his 2024 campaign with the Cats.
Hard at the contest and efficient by hand and foot, Stidiford can damage the opposition in a number of ways and always rises to the occasion.
Has been in Coorong’s best players and kicked four goals through three of his seven performances and should be a major factor throughout the remainder of the season.
13. MICHAEL O’MALLEY
(Mannum)
A top defender in the River Murray FL, Mannum star O’Malley has been at his best in 2024 after what was a top drawer 2023 season.
O’Malley has no issue performing against some of the competition’s best forwards with his ability to win both aerial and ground level contests, take strong marks and distribute from the backline.
Has seven best player nods in seven games.
12. RILEY ROBINSON
(Mypolonga)
A star midfielder for the Tigers, Robinson has put together a standout season so far for his side.
Robinson is a speedy player who contests well in the air and at ground level, and can kill teams with ball in hand, delivering efficiently with his penetrating boot.
Has four best player nods in seven games.
11. NICK WHESTOFF
(Tailem Bend)
Returning to Tailem Bend for season 2024 after a strong 2023 with Wallaroo in the Yorke Peninsula FL, Whestoff has been off to a flyer for the Eagles this year.
Capable of playing as a forward and big-bodied midfielder while also pinch-hitting in the ruck, Whestoff is one of the league’s most impactful players.
Has eight goals and five best player mentions in eight games.
10. BRODIE MARTIN
(Coorong)
The former Crow has been back close to his best in season 2024 and remains a major part of Coorong’s early success.
Martin is a tireless worker through the middle who can also move up front if needed and damage opposition teams with efficient disposal and impressive efforts in the contest.
Has five best player nods and five goals in seven games.
9. MALAKAI KARTINYERI
(Ramblers)
The son of local SA footy legend Mervyn ‘The Wiz’ Kartinyeri, Malakai has put his own name on the map in the River Murray FL this season.
A young star with slick skills who is clean in the contest and can play a number of roles, Kartinyeri often runs rings around his opponents.
Has six best player mentions and eight goals in seven games and also represented the RMFL in interleague recently.
8. JOSH SMITHSON
(Southern Mallee)
The Adelaide Crows SANFL-listed gun was a huge coup for the Suns last pre-season and has been a standout for the club again this year.
A skilled and strong player who is a no-fuss ball-winner and racks up countless possessions as a big-bodied midfielder.
Can also have an impact inside 50, with eight goals to go along with two best player nods in four games.
7. JORDAN HEIN
(Mypolonga)
A versatile midfielder, Hein has starred for Mypolonga so far this season after time with Sturt in 2023.
Hein is a strong player in the contest who wins important possessions for the Tigers, deals to teammates efficiently and can also hit the scoreboard or provide security behind the ball.
Has seven goals and five best player mentions in six games and was also a standout in interleague for the RMFL.
6. JAMES HARGREAVES
(Coorong)
The former St Peter’s OC star joined Coorong after a strong year with Yankalilla in the GSFL and has been a force for his new club in RMFL season 2024.
Hargreaves has produced at a high level on the ball or the Cats, winning a lot of contested footy and hurting opposition with damaging disposal.
Has four goals and five best player performances in seven games.
5. ALEX PFEIFFER
(Ramblers)
Pfeiffer has been a star of the RMFL for years at Ramblers and remains a dominant and flexible key position player for his club.
Has the ability to move up front but does his best work behind the ball, picking off opposition attacks and shutting down the opposition’s best forwards.
Pfeiffer has three goals and five best player nods in seven games so far and is this season’s association team captain.
4. LOUIS DE MICHELE
(Imperials)
The competition’s top ruckman, De Michele has been in brilliant form for Imperials so far this season.
Extremely mobile for his size and an aerobic beast who never stops running, De Michele feeds his midfielders with ease and reads the play as well as anyone to take important intercept marks.
Has six best player appearances and a goal in his six games so far.
3. DANIEL MENZEL
(Coorong)
The former Geelong star has pulled on the blue and white hoops for the Coorong Cats this season after retiring from SANFL football and playing for Penola in 2023.
Menzel can completely dominate the game through the middle or up front with his ability to win plenty of the contested footy and distribute to teammates efficiently, or boot goals from anywhere in and around the forward 50.
The Cats playing-coach has only played a handful of games and has 16 goals and a best player appearance.
2. RORY O’DRISCOLL
(Southern Mallee)
O’Driscoll has been a standout for the Suns in 2024 after a strong 2023 campaign.
A versatile player who has dominated in a number of roles but does his best work in the contest through the middle while also moving forward to hit the scoreboard.
Has seven best player mentions in his seven games and has also kicked five goals.
1. JOSH SCOTT
(Jervois)
Consistently one of the top players in the RMFL, Scott has been at his best yet again for Jervois in season 2024.
A versatile forward who does valuable work around the ground, Scott can take big grabs, boot important goals and create for others with his reliable disposal.
Has 26 goals to lead the competition as well as four best player nods in five seven games.
‘Change is required’: Restructure looms for major SA footy region
Plans of a restructure are being floated for one of SA’s biggest country footy and netball regions, with the SANFL set to meet with local league and club representatives. See what the future could hold.
Read more
Watch replays: Australian Junior Hardcourt Tennis Championships, Day 2
Three top seeds locked up quarter final appearances at one of Tennis Australia’s top junior tournaments, while a Queenslander’s hot start drew to a close. Check out the schedule. Catch the REPLAYS.
Read more