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The Riverland’s top 35 footballers of 2025 ranked

The Riverland is packed with star SA country footy talent so we’ve drawn from the region’s two main leagues to rank the top players of 2025. See who made the cut.

Tim Woolford, Jake Spencely and Jono Beech rank among the Riverland's top 35 players of 2025.
Tim Woolford, Jake Spencely and Jono Beech rank among the Riverland's top 35 players of 2025.

The Riverland has been a region filled with some of SA’s best country footballers for decades and star names have been on display again this season.

Based on this season’s form, we’ve drawn from the Riverland Football League (RFL) and the Murray Valley Football League (MVFL) to rank the top 35 players of 2025.

Here are our rankings from no. 35 to 1.

35. NATHAN BRAMFIT

(Murrayville)

The top goalkicker in the Murray Valley FL.

A strong and skilled target who leads well, takes big marks and can finish opportunities from anywhere.

Has 41 majors in eight games.

34. CAMERON RANKINE

(Wunkar)

A strong and versatile player player for Wunkar, Rankine has been one of the MVFL’s best.

Can do damage in the contest with his ability to find the footy and deliver with precision and creates a number of goalkicking opportunities.

Six best player nods in nine games.

33. TRISTAN GEEHMAN

(Waikerie)

A star player out of the back half and on the ball, Geehman applies constant pressure to opposition players in the air and at ground level and has no issue winning his own ball and distributing to teammates.

Has four best player mentions in 10 games.

32. BROCK MILDE

(Murrayville)

A top performer for the top side in the MVFL, Milde has been a star this season.

A strong and courageous midfielder who racks up possessions and can also shutdown his opponents with strong tackle pressure.

Has six best player nods and six goals in seven games.

31. JUSTIN BONNEY

(Barmera Monash)

Bonney has been a solid contributor for the Roos and has been one of the keys to the side’s strong season so far.

A reliable player behind the footy and in the contest, Bonney wins the ball in the air and at ground level and distributes well.

Has five best player nods in 10 games.

30. MATT WOOLFORD

(Renmark)

2017 RFL medallists Steve Burton (left) and Matt Woolford. Picture: SANFL
2017 RFL medallists Steve Burton (left) and Matt Woolford. Picture: SANFL

The first of three Woolfords in this list, Matt has been strong for Renmark in 2024.

A consistent midfielder who has the ability to play a number of roles around the ground, Woolford makes good decisions under pressure and gets his team moving forward efficiently.

Three best player performances in 10 games.

29. ISAAC FRAHN

(Paringa)

Paringa star Isaac Frahn. Picture: Supplied
Paringa star Isaac Frahn. Picture: Supplied

Paringa champion Frahn has remained a major standout in the ruck and around the ground.

Tough and athletic, he follows up on his ruck work at ground level and acts as an extra midfielder and is also a tackling machine.

Has six best player mentions in seven games.

28. MAX SPEYER

(Blanchetown-Swan Reach)

Blanchetown-Swan Reach gun Max Speyer. Picture: Facebook
Blanchetown-Swan Reach gun Max Speyer. Picture: Facebook

Speyer has been one of the stars of the Murray Valley FL this season.

Speyer hunts the footy as a tough mid and loves to crash contests and deal to teammates in space.

Has six best player nods and eight goals in seven games.

27. BEN ROSENZWEIG

(Berri)

A versatile and efficient player for the Demons.

Rosenzweig can win the footy consistently in the air and at ground level and is one of his side’s best decision makers.

Eight best player nods in nine games.

26. BRADLEY BURGEMEISTER

(Waikerie)

A standout ruck for the Magpies.

Burgemeister has emerged as one of his side’s biggest weapons with his ability to create for midfielders with his tap work and take important marks.

Has four best player nods in nine games.

25. JOSH VATER

(Renmark)

Vater in action for Renmark. Picture: Renmark Football Club
Vater in action for Renmark. Picture: Renmark Football Club

Renmark’s playing-coach is the heart and soul of his team and has been highly effective for the Rovers.

A courageous player on the ball, Vater accumulates plenty of the footy, distributes with poise and provides excellent tackle pressure.

Has four best player nods in nine games.

24. DECLAN JOHNSON

(Renmark)

A consistent standout for Renmark who has performed at his best against the Riverland’s top sides.

Johnson can do it all from winning contested footy to kicking goals and creating for others with his usage.

Has 17 majors and four best player nods in nine games.

23. BRADLEY TRUSCOTT

(Waikerie)

Truscott has emerged as a star for Waikerie this season.

One of his side’s hardest working players in the contest, Truscott wins important possessions for the Magpies and delivers accurately.

Has five best player nods in 10 games.

22. NICK GILLARD

(Renmark)

One of Renmark’s most potent players in front of goal.

A smart and skilled forward who can finish from anywhere and also create for others with crafty disposal.

20 goals and three best player nods in five games.

21. SCOTT LEWIS

(Loxton North)

Former Eagles star Scott Lewis: AAP/Emma Brasier
Former Eagles star Scott Lewis: AAP/Emma Brasier

A key cog in the middle for the Panthers, Lewis has been a standout in his third year with the club.

Tough in the contest and boasting a booming left boot, the former Woodville-West Torrens premiership player is one of the hardest to bring down and can control of a game.

Has three best player nods in seven games.

20. ZACH GARTERY

(Renmark)

Renmark's Zach Gartery continues to dominate in the Riverland. Picture: Renmark Football Club
Renmark's Zach Gartery continues to dominate in the Riverland. Picture: Renmark Football Club

A dominant ruckman who always comes through for the Rovers, Gartery has been among the Riverland’s best again in 2025.

An incredibly skilled player who releases midfielders with standout tap-work, Gartery can have an impact around the ground with a strong set of hands and an accurate leg.

Has three best player performances in nine games.

19. LUCAS WARNETT

(Barmera Monash)

One of the top performers in the RFL this season.

Warnett is a versatile asset who covers ground well, finds plenty of the footy and creates goalkicking opportunities for himself and others.

Has 13 majors and six best player nods in 10 games.

18. JACK BURGEMEISTER

(Waikerie)

Waikerie star Jack Burgemeister. Picture: Waikerie Football Club
Waikerie star Jack Burgemeister. Picture: Waikerie Football Club

One of the Magpies’ best players yet again this year.

A star asset around the ground, Burgemeister’s presence in the air and clean use has been a catalyst for Waikerie’s strong season.

Has two best player performances in 10 games and was a standout in interleague.

17. CODI VOUMARD

(Loxton North)

Codi Voumard (left) has been a standout for the Panthers. Picture: Facebook
Codi Voumard (left) has been a standout for the Panthers. Picture: Facebook

Loxton North’s leader has led by example in a number of roles this season.

A star athlete who can play a tough brand in the contest or provide security behind the ball for the Panthers, Voumard has been a standout in the Riverland.

Has seven best player nods in 10 games.

16. HARLEY CAMPBELL

(Loxton)

Campbell had a strong 2024 and has been one of Loxton’s top players this season.

The young gun has no issue setting up midfielders in the contest, finds the footy with ease and is one of his side’s most efficient players by hand and foot.

Has eight best player nods and nine goals in 10 games.

15. SHAY HAWKINS

(Berri)

One of the Demons’ best performers again this year.

Hawkins is an athletic player with top footy smarts who covers ground well and consistently creates for himself and teammates.

Has seven best player nods in 10 games.

14. RICKY GARRETT

(Renmark)

One of the top players in the RFL on his day, Garrett does a lot of the dirty work for his side on the ball and is one of Renmark’s most accurate distributors.

Has six best player nods in his nine games so far.

13. MATTHEW WUTKE

(Barmera Monash)

A consistent gun for the Roos yet again this season.

Wutke has a major presence around the ground and is one of his side’s most versatile players, Wutke can do damage in the contest with his clean skills and also hit the scoreboard.

Has 10 goals and six best player mentions in 10 games.

12. TIM WOOLFORD

(Renmark)

Renmark star Tim Woolford. Picture: Grant Schwartzkopff
Renmark star Tim Woolford. Picture: Grant Schwartzkopff

Woolford would rank comfortably among the top 10 with more appearances under his belt this season.

Consistently a top star of Riverland football, Woolford hits the contest relentlessly to win the ball in the middle and deal to teammates with precision and oozes class on either side of his body.

Has two best player performances in four games.

11. JOEL WORSFOLD

(Loxton North)

A 100-game player for the Panthers, Worsfold is an elite runner and always works hard in the contest, offering pace and a cool head under pressure.

Has tallied 10 best player mentions in his 10 games as one of the most consistent players in the RFL.

10. JACOB GRIEGER

(Berri)

Former Waikerie gun Jacob Grieger (right) with brother Jack Grieger. Picture: Facebook
Former Waikerie gun Jacob Grieger (right) with brother Jack Grieger. Picture: Facebook

Grieger has returned to Berri after time in the Murray Valley FL.

A tireless and versatile player who provides an option in the contest and around the ground and is one of the best users of the footy in the RFL.

Has six best player nods in nine games.

9. LACHLAN LELLMANN

(Renmark)

A superstar performer for the Rovers this year.

Lellmann does damage around the ground with his ability to find the footy and distribute creatively and efficiently.

Has nine best player nods in 10 games.

8. JAKE SPENCELY

(Waikerie)

Waikerie's Jake Spencely (left) has starred in 2025. Picture: Waikerie Football Club
Waikerie's Jake Spencely (left) has starred in 2025. Picture: Waikerie Football Club

Spencely has been a standout for Waikerie yet again this season.

Playing predominantly as a tough midfielder, Spencely works hard in the contest and around the ground to win contested footy for the Magpies and deliver efficiently.

Has eight best player nods in nine games.

7. JONO BEECH

(Barmera Monash)

Setup pic of Mens SANFL players. (West Adelaide) Jono Beech Wednesday 17 March 2021 Pic Roy VanDerVegt
Setup pic of Mens SANFL players. (West Adelaide) Jono Beech Wednesday 17 March 2021 Pic Roy VanDerVegt

Returning for a second year with his hometown club, Beech has been typically dominant up front when available.

A strong and athletic player who moves around the ground well, takes big marks and boots goals from anywhere.

Has 15 goals and two best player performances in five games.

6. JESSE WILL

(Loxton)

Supremely talented and impactful in the contest and around the ground, Will has put together yet another strong season for the Tigers.

The Loxton captain has consistently stood tall when needed most, using his athletic ability to win contests and provide strong run and carry while also creating for teammates with smart disposal.

Has nine goals and eight best player nods in 10 games.

5. SAM BUTTERWORTH

(Barmera Monash)

Barmera-Monash star Sam Butterworth (middle, right) has been dominant this season. Picture: Barmera-Monash Football Club
Barmera-Monash star Sam Butterworth (middle, right) has been dominant this season. Picture: Barmera-Monash Football Club

A dominant onballer, Butterworth’s work rate betters almost anyone in the RFL and his ability to win contested footy consistently through four quarters and find teammates with ease while under pressure makes him a weapon for the Roos.

Has seven best player nods through 10 games so far.

4. DAN WOOLFORD

(Renmark)

Dan Woolford (middle, left) with awards presenter Dane Swan, and Matt (left) and Tim Woolford. Picture: Grant Schwartzkopff
Dan Woolford (middle, left) with awards presenter Dane Swan, and Matt (left) and Tim Woolford. Picture: Grant Schwartzkopff

Woolford has played a major part in Renmark’s success so far this season.

A tough and athletic player around the ground who finds plenty of the footy and always makes the right decisions while under pressure.

Has six best player mentions in 10 games.

3. STEVE BURTON

(Barmera Monash)

Former South Gawler champion Steve Burton. Picture: South Gawler Football Club
Former South Gawler champion Steve Burton. Picture: South Gawler Football Club

Returning to Barmera Monash after a dominant period for South Gawler in the BLGFA, former RFL medallist Burton has been a standout this year.

A tough player who runs all day and finds plenty of the footy, Burton always makes the right decisions and can take over a game with his execution.

Has four best player nods in six games.

2. DARCY MINCHELLA

(Berri)

Darcy Minchella of West Adelaide does the jump test during the 2022 South Australia AFL Draft Combine. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images
Darcy Minchella of West Adelaide does the jump test during the 2022 South Australia AFL Draft Combine. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images

A versatile star for Berri, Minchella has starred for the Demons since joining from West Adelaide.

Minchella can dominate as a potent ruck/forward utility, giving his mids first use in the contest while also moving up front to take big marks and finish for goal.

Has 24 majors and five best player nods in 10 games.

1. KADE HILTON

(Waikerie)

Waikerie champion Kade Hilton. Picture: Supplied
Waikerie champion Kade Hilton. Picture: Supplied

Winner of the RFL medal last year, Hilton has been as strong as ever in 2025.

An all-round star who can do damage in the contest with his ability to win the footy and distribute at a high level or produce up front with his goal-sense and ability to create for others.

Has seven best player nods and 16 goals in 10 games.

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/messenger/sport/the-riverlands-top-35-footballers-of-2025-ranked/news-story/061614d492712eef625b64fc7fb22b6a