The Riverland’s top 40 footballers of 2022 ranked
The Riverland is filled with top SA country footy talent so we’ve drawn from the region’s two main leagues to rank the top players of 2022. See who made the cut.
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The Riverland has been a region rich with some of SA’s best country footballers for decades and they have been on display yet again in 2022.
Based on this season’s form and with the help of clubs from the Riverland Football League (RFL) and Riverland Independent Football League (RIFL), we’ve ranked the top 40 players for 2022.
Players who had less than eight league appearances were ruled ineligible.
Here are our rankings from 40 to 1.
40. TROY COWLAND
(Blanchetown-Swan Reach)
The BSR captain is a clever half-back who uses his excellent left foot to setup plays in a quarterback-style role.
An excellent decision-maker with the ball, Cowland has tallied five best-player nods and two goals this year.
39. CAM HORSTMANN
(Blanchetown-Swan Reach)
Providing strength and power in the contest, Horstmann has been a star for BSR this season.
An explosive player who brings relentless attack on the footy and an accurate leg for his side, Horstmann has 15 best-player appearances and nine goals in 17 games this season.
Has been one of the best in the RIFL.
38. MASON MIDDLETON
(Barmera Monash)
The former West Adelaide forward has been top drawer since his arrival at Barmera Monash and this year has been no exception.
Spending time up front and also contesting in the ruck, Middleton is a strong player who possesses one of the best pack marks in the RFL competition.
Has 10 goals and eight best-player appearances in 12 games.
37. BEN DROGEMULLER
(Barmera Monash)
A strong and hardworking midfielder, Drogemuller has turned in a solid season for Barmera Monash.
Drogemuller is hard to stop at the contest, battling courageously and with strength to win the ball and deal to teammates.
Played interleague this year and also has eight best-player nods to his name.
36. TYSON KENT
(Loxton North)
Kent has been effective through the middle and along the flanks, providing brilliant ball use for his Panthers side.
An extremely clean player who always has his head up scanning for options, he can hit targets with pinpoint disposal.
Has nine best-player mentions this season.
35. JACK OBST
(Loxton North)
One of the breakout players in the Riverland this season, Obst has been a star for the Panthers during a challenging year for the club.
An outstanding key defender who is brilliant at spoiling or marking forward entry attempts, the 19-year-old has eight best-player mentions in 14 games and also played interleague this season.
34. HUGO KREGAR
(Berri)
Kregar has backed up a strong 2021 with another solid season in 2022.
Playing out of defence, Kregar’s competitiveness in the air and on the ground, and use out of the backline makes him one of the best defenders in the RFL.
Has four goals and four best-player mentions in 12 games.
33. TOM FINLAY
(Berri)
Arriving from Victoria in the offseason, Finlay has been a revelation for Berri.
A consistent and battling defender across centre half-back, he can also pinch hit in the ruck and is a creative player with ball in hand.
Has eight best-player nods and three goals in 16 games.
32. JED MARTINSON
(Blanchetown-Swan Reach)
A gun intercept-marking centre half-back, Martinson has been a catalyst for BSR’s strong season.
Martinson is tough at the contest and in the air, has strong hands and fearlessly attacks the footy.
Has four goals and six appearances in his side’s best after 16 games.
31. JAKE SMITH
(Barmera Monash)
The Barmera Monash midfielder enjoyed yet another strong season through the middle.
A tough worker in the contest who always puts his head over the ball, Smith was a standout for his side on seven separate occasions this year.
Also booted seven goals in his 10 appearances.
30. EVAN PENALUNA
(Berri)
Berri’s captain has been a force in defence yet again through season 2022.
Strong and relentless at ground level, Penaluna is a pressure menace and often causes a number of turnovers by opposition.
In 15 of games he has eight best-player nominations.
29. LUKE TEASDALE
(Berri)
Penaluna’s reliable teammate in the back half, Teasdale continues to impress for the Demons.
A talented and composed user out of the backline and a strong competitor in the air and on the ground, the Berri cult hero has been a standout player in eight of his 16 games this year.
28. JAKE MEDHURST
(Blanchetown-Swan Reach)
BSR’s star forward and the leading goalkicker of the RIFL, Medhurst remains a star of the Riverland.
Fast on the lead with a strong set of hands, Medhurst consistently gets himself into the right positions up forward and possesses a booming kick.
Kicks bags for fun, slotting 66 majors home in 16 games this season.
27. JACK GRIEGER
(Waikerie)
Came close in last year’s best and fairest count and has had another solid season for the Magpies.
A talented player across the backline, Grieger provides plenty of run and carry and a cool head with disposal.
He can also move up the ground and hit the scoreboard with long-range finishes.
The defender has 13 goals and six best-player nods in 16 games.
26. MATT CLARK
(Blanchetown-Swan Reach)
Runner-up best and fairest in the RIFL, Clark has been key player for BSR this year.
The midfielder boasts tremendous work ethic and is one of the competition’s most tireless players, showing an ability to run all day.
Is also a threat in front of goal, rotating through the forwardline to boot 30 majors this year.
25. JOSH VATER
(Renmark)
Renmark’s playing-coach is the heart and soul of the side.
A courageous work horse, Vater accumulates plenty of the footy and distributes with poise.
He can also kick a goal, booting 11 majors to go along with eight best-player nods in 14 games.
24. JOEL WORSFOLD
(Loxton North)
A 100-game player for the Panthers, Worsfold’s impact on his club has been immeasurable.
A hard worker on the ball who offers pace and a cool head under pressure, Worsfold always makes good decisions and distributes with damage.
Tallied 11 best-player nominations and five goals in 13 games this year.
23. JACK AUSTIN
(Renmark)
Austin is a supremely talented forward who can also pinch-hit in the midfield if needed.
The ever-improving Rovers star is a strong and tireless worker who can finish on either side of his body.
Has 14 goals in 13 games and has been named among Renmark’s best three times.
Also a member of this year’s interleague side.
22. JACK BURGEMEISTER
(Waikerie)
Burgemeister has been a significant improver for Waikerie this season, the young star developing each game for the Magpies.
An asset behind the ball with the ability to move up the ground and hit the scoreboard, Burgemeister’s presence in the air and clean use has been a catalyst for Waikerie’s strong year.
Has been named among the Magpies’ best on eight occasions.
21. TOM CHARLTON
(Renmark)
A standout key forward in the RFL, Charlton has starred for Renmark again this season.
Tallying the second most goals in the league at 32, the Rovers gun always positions himself in space in the front 50 and finishes well in front of goal.
20. ISAAC FRAHN
(Paringa)
Paringa’s captain, Frahn remains as one of the gun ruckmen in the Riverland.
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.
A consistant leader, Frahn has 14 appearances in his side’s best players in 14 games.
19. JASON WESTLEY
(Berri)
The Berri forward was again the focal point of his club’s attack in season 2022.
A high-energy player with a big tank and slick skills, Westley is capable of turning a game on its head in front of goal or up the ground.
Tallied 27 goals and seven best-player appearances in 15 games for his club.
18. JESSE WILL
(Loxton)
A supremely talented and impactful at half-forward, 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 take big grabs and finish in front of goal while also creating for teammates with smart disposal.
Has 28 goals and eight best-player mentions in 16 games.
17. TRISTAN GEEHMAN
(Waikerie)
A gun player out of the back half and one of Waikerie’s most reliable assets for a number of years.
Geehman applies constant pressure to opposition players in the air and on the ground and has no issue winning his own ball and distributing to teammates.
Has nine mentions among the Magpies’ best players in 16 games.
16. MATT WUTKE
(Barmera Monash)
A reliable onballer who rarely puts a foot wrong, Wutke remains in the top echelon of Riverland players.
Wutke is an explosive player who wins his fair share of the footy and can finish in front of goal, booting 11 goals to go along with eight best-player appearances in 12 games.
Also participated in interleague this year.
15. KIERAN STONE
(Sedan-Cambrai)
Stone has only played eight games for Sedan-Cambrai this season but has still been able to have a big impact for his club as it charges for an RIFL premiership.
The former Port District player can do damage up front or in the middle, possessing a strong frame and superb skills with ball in hand.
Has nine goals and two best-player nods so far this year.
14. FRASER SAMPSON
(Renmark)
Sampson has remained one of the best defenders in the RFL in 2022.
A strong and athletic player across the backline who can take a big mark and distribute efficiently with a booming leg, Sampson has had a significant impact towards Renmark’s success so far this season.
In 15 appearances for the Rovers, he has been named among their best eight times.
13. LUKE HARDER
(Loxton)
The former Glenelg SANFL midfielder has been dominant since joining Loxton in the offseason, putting in brilliant shifts up front and at times inside.
A strong-bodied player with exceptional ability on the ground and in the air, Harder has been a force for the Tigers.
Has tallied 34 goals in 14 games and been named among the club’s best on nine occasions.
12. STEVE BRAUN
(Waikerie)
Braun remains an outstanding defensive player for Waikerie and has been at his best through season 2022.
An elite centre half-back, Braun has no problem locking down some of the best forwards in the Riverland with strong contest work and a consistent intercept mark.
Also disposes the ball out of the backline with high efficiency, consistently hitting targets up the ground.
Has nine best-player appearances in his 16 games for the Magpies.
11. SAM BUTTERWORTH
(Barmera Monash)
Barmera Monash’s new captain has produced at a high level for his side this season, managing to play some consistent and high quality footy for the Roos.
A strong leader who is hard at the contest and works tirelessly around the ground, Butterworth is a tough matchup for any opposition.
Has 13 best-player appearances in 14 games while also kicking five majors.
10. CAM THOMPSON
(Sedan-Cambrai)
A fast and skilful midfielder with an elite kick, Thompson was the winner of this season’s Duthie Medal as the Riverland Independent Football League’s best and fairest player.
Thompson’s ability to hit targets around the ground is second to none in the RIFL and he has also shown potential playing up front, bagging 37 goals this year.
Has 12 best-player appearances in his 15 games.
9. SHAY HAWKINS
(Berri)
A gun midfielder who has been dominant for his club and at the SA Country Championships this year, Hawkins takes a deserved spot inside the top 10.
An athletic player who oozes footy smarts, Hawkins covers ground with the best of them and consistently creates for himself and teammates.
The main force for Berri yet again this year, the talented utility has tallied seven best-player mentions to go along with 11 goals in 15 games.
8. ZAC GARTERY
(Renmark)
Gartery remains the best ruckman in the Riverland.
An incredibly skilled player who feeds his midfielders with standout tap-work, Gartery can have an influence around the ground with a strong set of hands and an accurate leg.
Has eight best-player nods and seven goals in his 16 games for the Rovers and was also an interleague representative this year.
7. JAKE SPENCELY
(Waikerie)
The brother of fellow superstar Magpie Matt Spencely, Jake has been a force for Waikerie yet again in 2022.
Dominating through the middle this season, Spencely possesses a strong mark, brilliant skills by hand and foot and is a specialist at disposing efficiently under pressure.
Has 13 goals and five best-player mentions in 14 RFL games.
6. MATT HODGE
(Berri)
Hodge’s blistering speed with the ball and pinpoint accuracy around the ground or in front of goal makes him one of the best players in the Riverland.
The Berri star and former SA Country representative is a damaging player in the contest and hits the scoreboard consistently.
Has tallied 20 goals and 12 best-player mentions in his 16 games for the Demons.
5. DAN WOOLFORD
(Renmark)
Woolford impressed in the SA Country Championships for Eastern to add to what has been a standout year for the Renmark star.
A tireless worker in the contest for the Rovers and a reliable field kick, Woolford has combined well with brother Tim to take Renmark to the top of the ladder and into the grand final.
Has four goals and 11 best-player mentions in 16 games for his club.
4. WILL GUTSCHE
(Loxton)
Runner-up in last year’s Whillas Medal count, Gutsche has been a star of the RFL competition for multiple years now.
A damaging player who can play across the middle and flanks and can also hit the scoreboard, Gutsche has been key to the Tigers’ success this season.
Has 15 goals and 12 best-player nominations in his 15 league games.
3. LACHIE EVANS
(Loxton)
Loxton has been a consistently strong outfit yet again this year and Evans’ form, along with Gutsche’s, has been a major reason why.
Strong in the contest and extremely damaging with the ball, Evans’ tireless work around the ground has ensured Loxton’s deep run this year.
Has seven goals and 13 best-player mentions in 15 games for the Tigers.
2. MATT SPENCELY
(Waikerie)
Consistently dominating the RFL alongside his brother through the midfield or up front, Spencely’s talent remains undeniable.
The superstar Magpie is the top goalkicker in the league this season after a series of brilliant performances up front, his ability to get free and finish from anywhere second to none.
Fast and powerful with the ball and exhibiting brilliant hand and foot skills, Spencely has booted 39 goals and been named among Waikerie’s best six times in 16 appearances this year.
1. TIM WOOLFORD
(Renmark)
Woolford has backed up his 2021 season in which he won the Whillas Medal with another standout year in 2022.
The Rovers champion has truly solidified himself as the number one midfielder in the Riverland, hitting the contest to win the ball and deal to teammates with precision.
An excellent user who oozes class and boasts skills on either side of his body, Woolford can also hit the scoreboard – booting 17 goals to go along with 13 best-player mentions in 14 league appearances.
Also played interleague and captained Eastern’s SA Country Championships side.
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