The Riverland’s top 40 footballers of 2023 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 2023. See who made the cut.
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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 in 2023.
Based on this season’s form and with the help of insiders from the Riverland Football League (RFL) and the Murray Valley Football League (MVFL), we’ve ranked the top 40 players for 2023.
Players who have played less than six games so far this season were ruled ineligible.
Here are our rankings from no. 40 to 1.
40. MATT PHILLIPS
(Browns-Well)
One of Browns-Well’s top performers in the Murray Valley FL this season, Phillips has been a positive for his new club after joining from Brighton.
A hard worker who has great vision and is able to hit teammates from any position.
Has six best player nods in seven games.
39. COOPER WISNESKE
(Murrayville)
Wisneske has backed up his strong 2022 with another solid season in 2023.
The Murrayville gun has been a standout for the Bulldogs in the middle and can also move up the ground to create for forwards.
Has six best player nods and two majors so far.
38. JACK KELTON
(Browns-Well)
Signing from Sacred Heart OC’s reserves side last year, Kelton has been a welcomed boost for Browns-Well.
A tough contributor in the ruck and at the back, he fights hard for possession and applies strong tackle pressure.
Has seven best player nods in seven appearances.
37. MITCH FOULDS
(Berri)
An up and coming young gun for Berri, teenager Mitch Foulds has shown his ability through the middle this year.
Adept in the air, Foulds competes hard, makes quick decisions and is able to distribute well by hand or foot.
Has six best player nods in nine games.
36. RORY MORONEY
(Berri)
With the ability to perform up front or on the ball, Moroney has been an important part of Berri’s side this season.
Despite the tough campaign for his club, the Demons gun can take strong marks and win the ball at ground level to either hit the scoreboard or open up play for the team.
Has 11 goals and five best player nods in 10 appearances.
35. JACKSON LE COUTEUR
(Sedan-Cambrai)
A star forward/midfield utility for Sedan-Cambrai, Le Couteur has put together an impressive season for his club.
Clean off the deck with a great feel for the game, the nifty Le Couteur has a habit of tearing a contest wide open.
Has 14 goals and three best player performances in six games.
34. RYAN PROUD
(Loxton North)
The top goalkicker in the RFL so far this season, Proud has been the talisman of Loxton North’s forwardline.
Hard to stop on the lead and boasting a big boot and the ability to finish from anywhere.
Has 29 goals through 10 games.
33. JAKE SMITH
(Barmera Monash)
The Barmera Monash midfielder has enjoyed yet another strong season for the Roos.
A tough worker in the contest who always puts his head over the ball, Smith has been a standout for his side on five separate occasions so far this year.
Has also booted three goals in his nine appearances.
32. BRYCE OXLADE
(Browns-Well)
A hardworking player across the ground, Oxlade has been one of Browns-Well’s best this season.
Oxlade is a running machine for his side and has no issue racking up possessions and finding teammates with elite disposal.
Has seven best player nods in seven games as well as two majors.
31. CHE LANGE
(Loxton)
A major improver for the Tigers this season, Lange has been a force in the contest.
Has high work rate and the ability to find the ball at ground level and deal to teammates with precision under pressure.
Has seven best player nods through his nine games this year.
30. SHAY HAWKINS
(Berri)
Berri’s vice captain had a fantastic 2022 season and has been solid again in 2023.
An athletic player with top footy smarts, Hawkins covers ground well and consistently creates for himself and teammates.
Has three best player nods and four goals through 10 games and should improve his production in the business end of the season.
29. STEPHEN HAUSLER
(Waikerie)
A star veteran for Waikerie, Hausler has had a big impact through the middle and at the back for the Magpies.
A quality leader on the ground, Hausler always attacks the footy relentlessly and makes the right decisions with ball in hand.
Has five best player nods in 10 games.
28. EVAN PENALUNA
(Berri)
Berri’s captain has been a force in defence yet again through season 2023.
Strong and relentless at ground level, Penaluna is a pressure menace and often causes a number of turnovers by opposition.
Has three best player performances through his 10 games so far against Waikerie and Barmera Monash.
27. LACHY LELLMAN
(Renmark)
A standout mid for Renmark, Lellman has been big for the Rovers this year.
Lellman is a ball magnet and a bull in the contest who loves winning his own footy and setting up teammates ahead of the play.
Has three goals and six best player appearances in 10 games.
26. SAM CHAMBERS
(Waikerie)
A strong signing out of Flinders Park, Chambers has been one of the Magpies’ hardest workers this year.
Assured on the footy and an efficient distributor across the ground, Chambers brings a level head and a strong footy brain to Waikerie’s side.
Has six best player appearances in 10 games.
25. JACOB GRIEGER
(Sedan-Cambrai)
Joining Sedan-Cambrai from Berri after the 2022 season, Grieger has been monumental in his side’s midfield and forwardline this year.
A tireless player who provides an option in the contest or ahead of the ball all day, Grieger is one of the best users of the footy in the MVFL and has no issue slotting a goal.
Has 16 goals and five best player appearances in his seven games so far.
24. CODI VOUMARD
(Loxton North)
Loxton North’s captain has led by example in a number of roles this season.
A star athlete who can play up front, provide security behind the ball or do the hard work in the contest for the Panthers, Voumard has been a standout in the Riverland.
Has six best player mentions in 10 games.
23. TIM BLIGHT
(Renmark)
One of Renmark’s most improved performers this season, Blight has followed up a solid 2022 campaign with a standout 2023 so far.
A dangerous player with elite skills ahead of the ball, Blight can also have an impact through the middle with clean disposal.
Has 15 goals and five best player nods in nine games so far.
22. STEVE BRAUN
(Waikerie)
An outstanding defender for Waikerie, Braun has been close to his best for the Magpies through 2023 so far.
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 three best player nods through his six games this year.
21. JESSE WILL
(Loxton)
Supremely talented and impactful at half-forward or in the contest, 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 10 majors and five best player nods in seven games.
20. TYRELL HOCKING
(Waikerie)
A star for Wallaroo in the Yorke Peninsula last season, Hocking has made a splash since joining the Magpies for 2023.
A tough and gritty player who always rises to the occasion, the onballer puts his body on the line to win the footy for his side.
Has six goals and five best player mentions in his 10 games so far.
19. BEN DROGEMULLER
(Barmera Monash)
A strong and hardworking midfielder, Drogemuller has turned in another solid season for Barmera Monash.
Drogemuller is hard to stop in the contest, battling courageously with strength to win the ball and deal to teammates.
Played interleague this year and also has five best player nods to his name in 10 games.
18. ZAC WOOLDRIDGE
(Loxton North)
Arriving from Flinders Park ahead of the 2023 season, Wooldridge has been a star forward for this year’s new-look Loxton North outfit.
The former West Adelaide player is one of the most athletic in the competition and can either set teammates up with efficient delivery by foot or hit the scoreboard himself as a reliable set-shot taker.
Has 19 goals and seven best player appearances in eight games so far.
17. JACK BURGEMEISTER
(Waikerie)
Improving significantly for Waikerie last season, Burgemeister has used the momentum from his 2022 campaign to put together a strong 2023 so far.
A star asset behind the ball with the ability to move up the ground and kick goals, Burgemeister’s presence in the air and clean use has been a catalyst for Waikerie’s strong season.
Has been named among his side’s best five times in seven games and has also kicked eight goals.
16. WILL GUTSCHE
(Loxton)
Gutsche is yet to match his spectacular production level of last season but still remains among the best footballers the Riverland has to offer.
A damaging player who can play through the middle and down the flanks while also hitting the scoreboard, the former West Adelaide man can still take a game over.
Has five goals and two best player nods through six games this year.
15. ALEK KUDRA
(Loxton North)
Kudra has been one of the standout stars for Loxton North during what has been a dominant year from the Panthers.
A star midfielder who provides strong run and carry and hits the scoreboard regularly, Kudra boasts elite disposal by hand and foot.
Has seven goals and seven best player appearances in his 10 games so far this year and also played interleague.
14. CAM THOMPSON
(Sedan-Cambrai)
The reigning Murray Valley FL Mail Medallist, Thompson has produced at a top level for Sedan-Cambrai again this season.
A skilled and powerful midfield/forward utility, Thompson can hit any target around the ground and has brilliant awareness around the big sticks, finishing for goal from anywhere in and around the forward 50.
Has 25 goals and six best player nods in his seven games so far this year.
13. CHRIS KNAPP
(Loxton)
Arriving from Eastern Park in the pre-season, Knapp has been influential through the middle and up front.
A strong player who competes hard through four quarters each week, Knapp feeds his midfield teammates efficiently and also provides a strong target going forward.
Has 13 goals and eight best player nods in 10 games for Loxton.
12. MATT WOOLFORD
(Renmark)
The first of three Woolfords in this list, Matt has been at his best for Renmark in 2023.
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.
Has seven best player appearances in 10 games so far and has also kicked three majors.
11. BRODY THOMPSON
(Berri)
Thompson has been Berri’s top performer through 2023 so far.
The star 24-year-old has become a premier ruck in the Riverland, using his strength and elite fitness to win a number of contests and cover ground as well as any big man.
Can also play up front on occasion and has 10 best player nods and two goals in his 10 appearances for the Demons so far this season.
10. JOEL WORSFOLD
(Loxton North)
Worsfold’s impact for Loxton North has been immeasurable this season.
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 eight best player mentions in his eight games and was also a standout during the Riverland FL’s interleague matchup with the Hills Country Division.
9. TRISTAN GEEHMAN
(Waikerie)
One of Waikerie’s most consistent and impactful players this year so far.
A star player out of the back half, 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 also shown the ability to get up the ground and impact across the forwardline.
Has eight best player nods in 10 games.
8. JOSH VATER
(Renmark)
Renmark’s playing-coach is the heart and soul of his team and has been at his most effective for the Rovers this year.
A courageous player on the ball, Vater accumulates plenty of the footy, distributes with poise and can hit the scoreboard consistently for a mid.
Has seven goals and nine best player mentions through his 10 games and will be one of Renmark’s most important players come finals.
7. SAM BUTTERWORTH
(Barmera Monash)
Barmera Monash’s leader has produced at a high level for his side yet again tis season, playing some of his most consistent footy during his time with the Roos.
Butterworth’s work rate betters almost anyone in the RFL and his ability to win contested footy consistently through four quarters each week makes him a weapon.
Has eight best player appearances through his 10 games so far and was a big part of Eastern’s SA Country Championships side over the weekend.
6. LACHIE EVANS
(Loxton)
While the 2023 season has been a challenging one so far for Loxton, Evans remains one of the star players in the Riverland.
Strong in the contest and extremely damaging with ball in hand, Evans’ work around the ground makes him a standout each week.
Always rises to the occasion, with seven best player nods in eight games to go along with five goals.
5. KYRAN DIXON
(Waikerie)
Arriving at Waikerie after a strong tenure with North Haven in the Adelaide Footy League, Dixon has been the standout player for the Magpies in 2023.
A gun midfielder who loves doing the dirty work and winning contested possessions for his side, Dixon can find any of his teammates with elite disposal under pressure.
Has seven best player nods and a goal through his 10 games so far and also played interleague.
4. ZACHARY GARTERY
(Renmark)
A dominant ruckman who always comes through for the Rovers, Gartery has been among the Riverland’s best again in 2023.
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 six best player mentions and a goal in 10 games so far and was named in this season’s SA Country side.
3. SCOTT LEWIS
(Loxton North)
A key cog in the middle for the Riverland’s most improved side, Lewis has been at his best for the Panthers.
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 single-handedly take control of a game.
Has five best player mentions and four goals in six games so far.
2. DAN WOOLFORD
(Renmark)
Another of the three Woolfords dominating for Renmark, Dan has put together one of his best seasons yet for the Rovers this year.
A skilled and composed onballer with the ability to win his own ball in the contest and rack up clearances for his side, Woolford has been one of the most impactful players in the RFL.
Has nine best player nods in his nine games this year and was also a member of the 2023 Eastern side in the SA Country Championships.
1. TIM WOOLFORD
(Renmark)
The reigning Riverland FL Mail Medallist and a standout in yet another grand final win for the Rovers last season, Woolford remains a star name in SA country footy.
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.
While he has only managed six games so far this season, the Renmark star has tallied four goals and four best player performances in those appearances.
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