The Riverland’s top 40 footballers of 2024 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 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 40 players of 2024.
Players who have played less than six games were ruled ineligible.
Here are our rankings from no. 40 to 1.
40. TARQUIN SCHULZ
(Wunkar)
Schulz has remained one of Wunkar’s best in 2024 after a strong 2023 campaign.
Covers ground as well as anyone in the MVFL, wins plenty of the footy in the contest and is a classy distributor.
Has nine best player nods and four goals in 10 games.
39. DAIN AUSTIN
(Barmera-Monash)
The former Renmark player has been a positive for Barmera-Monash and was also a solid contributor in interleague.
Austin’s ability to impact the contest with his toughness and also move up the ground to kick goals has been valuable for the Roos.
Has six goals and three best player nods in 11 games.
38. JORDAN MARR
(Berri)
A top performer for Berri this season.
Marr is a strong presence on the ball and around the ground who can cut off a number of attacks and also lead the Demons midfield with efficient ball-use.
Seven best player nods in 11 games.
37. CAMERON HORSTMANN
(Blanchetown-Swan Reach)
One of the top players for the MVFL’s top side in 2024.
Horstmann is a mercurial midfielder who finds the footy with ease and damages opposition with silky skills.
Has eight best player appearances and four majors in 10 games.
36. 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 eight best player nods in eight games as well as four majors.
35. JAMESON WHITBOURNE
(Barmera-Monash)
A skilled player off of halfback, Whitbourne has been a damaging asset for Barmera-Monash this season.
One of his side’s best users of the footy, Whitbourne is an explosive player who provides run and carry and cuts off a number of attacks.
Has four best player nods in 11 games and also played interleague.
34. JACK PARFITT
(Ramco)
A standout ruck in the Murray Valley FL, Parfitt has been a damaging tall for Ramco.
Often gives his mids first look at it with consistent tap work and covers ground well for a big man, moving forward each week to hit the scoreboard.
Has eight best player nods and seven goals in 10 games.
33. JUSTIN BONNEY
(Barmera-Monash)
Bonney has been a solid contributor for the Roos and has been one of the keys to the side’s big 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 11 games.
32. TRISTAN GEEHMAN
(Waikerie)
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 have an impact.
Has three best player performances in 11 games so far.
31. MATT WOOLFORD
(Renmark)
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.
Is also one of the club’s most important leaders and will be integral during finals.
30. THOMAS TACONO
(Blanchetown-Swan Reach)
A star Greenacres utility last season, Tacono joined Blanchetown-Swan Reach for 2024 and has been one of the MVFL’s most effective players.
Always a threat up front with clean skills and impressive goalkicking, Tacono also provides his teammates with efficient disposal.
Has five best player nods and 25 goals in 10 games.
29. BRAYDEN DE PRINSE
(Loxton)
A former gun ruck in the Adelaide Footy League, De Prinse has performed well for the Tigers since joining this year.
Often gives his midfielders great service with his tap work and moves well around the ground to accumulate the footy and distribute to teammates.
Has four best player performances and two goals in 11 games.
28. HARRISON CHANDLER
(Browns-Well)
The top goalkicker in the Murray Valley FL this season, Chandler has been one of the competition’s star players.
Executes smart leads to fool defenders, takes big marks and finishes opportunities from anywhere while also having the ability to create for teammates up front.
Has 38 goals and five best player nods in eight games.
27. JAKE SPENCELY
(Waikerie)
A longtime star for Waikerie, Spencely has returned to the club after a season with Meadows alongside brother Matt.
Playing predominantly as a tough midfielder, Spencely works hard in the contest and can also move up the ground to hit the scoreboard on occasion.
Has four best player performances and seven goals in 10 games.
26. HARLEY CAMPBELL
(Loxton)
Campbell had a strong 2023 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 six goals and seven best player appearances in nine games so far.
25. MAX SPEYER
(Blanchetown-Swan Reach)
Joining Blanchetown-Swan Reach after time with Houghton Districts in the Adelaide Footy League, 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 nine best player nods and 11 goals through 10 games so far.
24. JARRAD BEE
(Waikerie)
A versatile player around the ground for the Magpies, Bee has been a standout so far this season.
A workhorse in the contest who wins plenty of his own footy and provides damaging run and carry, Bee can find teammates as well as anyone under pressure.
Has seven best player mentions and three goals in 11 games.
23. SHAY HAWKINS
(Berri)
A star leader for Berri who had a strong 2023 season and has been a standout again in 2024.
Hawkins is an athletic player with top footy smarts who covers ground well and consistently creates for himself and teammates.
Has six best player nods and three goals through 11 games and should improve his production in the business end of the season.
22. STEPHEN HAUSLER
(Waikerie)
A star veteran for Waikerie, Hausler has had a big impact through the middle 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 four best player nods and six goals in 10 games.
21. LUKE THOMAS
(Barmera-Monash)
Thomas has been one of the best defenders in the Riverland this season after arriving at the Roos from Uraidla Districts.
Reads the play well across the back and is one of the best kicks in the RFL competition, disposing brilliantly to teammates to start attacks.
Has four best player nods in nine games.
20. JACOB EVANS
(Loxton)
One of Loxton’s most consistent performers this year.
A tireless worker around the ground who finds plenty of his own footy and damages opposition with accurate disposal.
Has seven best player nods and two goals in 11 games.
19. RICKY GARRETT
(Renmark)
Garrett has starred for the Rovers this season after missing 2023.
One of the top players in the RFL on his day, Garrett does a lot of dirty work for his side on and behind the ball and is one of Renmark’s most accurate distributors.
Has five best player nods and two goals in eight games.
18. BAILEY BOUGHEN
(Loxton)
A consistent contributor around the ground for Loxton, Boughen has been one of the RFL’s best in 2024.
Wins his own footy as a skilled player in the contest and can provide great run and carry around the ground as well as the ability to boot goals.
Has 11 majors and five best player nods in 11 games and was one of the Riverland’s best in interleague.
17. 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 a tough brand in the contest or provide security behind the ball for the Panthers, Voumard has been a standout in the Riverland.
Has nine best player mentions in 11 games.
16. JARYD ROWE
(Renmark)
A solid contributor for Renmark in 2023, Rowe’s performance has improved for the Rovers this season.
Rowe has played over 200 games for his club and is a tough player around the ground who always plays his role and disposes effectively.
Has nine best player mentions and five goals in 11 games.
15. 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 nine best player mentions in his 11 games and was also an important player for the Riverland in interleague this year.
14. LACHIE EVANS
(Loxton)
Tigers star Evans remains one of the standout players in the Riverland.
Strong in the contest and extremely damaging with ball in hand, Evans’ work around the ground makes him a damaging player for Loxton each week.
Always rises to the occasion, with four best player nods and six goals in six games.
13. 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.
The reigning Murray Valley Fl medallist is a tireless player who provides an option in the contest or ahead of the ball, and is one of the best users of the footy in the MVFL.
Has 10 goals and eight best player appearances in his eight games so far.
12. JOSH VATER
(Renmark)
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 three goals and six best player mentions through his 10 games and will be one of Renmark’s most important players come finals.
11. JACK BURGEMEISTER
(Waikerie)
Burgemeister has used the momentum from his 2023 campaign to put together a strong 2024 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 seven times in seven games and has also kicked seven goals.
10. MASON MIDDLETON
(Barmera-Monash)
A star utility who can dominate in the ruck and up front, Middleton has been a standout for the Roos since returning from Encounter Bay.
The former West Adelaide player works as hard as anyone in the contest and can either set his mids up nicely or move up front to boot goals.
Has eight majors and four best player performances in nine games.
9. SCOTT LEWIS
(Loxton North)
A key cog in the middle for the Panthers, Lewis has been a standout in his second 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 single-handedly take control of a game.
Has four best player mentions and a goal in seven games so far.
8. ZACH GARTERY
(Renmark)
A dominant ruckman who always comes through for the Rovers, Gartery has been among the Riverland’s best again in 2024.
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 two goals in 11 games so far and was a standout in the SA Country Championships.
7. 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 seven majors and nine best player nods in 11 games.
6. ZAC WOOLDRIDGE
(Loxton North)
Arriving from Flinders Park ahead of the 2023 season, Wooldridge has been a star forward and onballer through his two campaigns for the Panthers.
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 11 best player appearances in 11 games so far.
5. KADE HILTON
(Waikerie)
A dominant forward who can also play around the ground, Hilton has emerged as a star for Waikerie this season.
Strong on the ball with reliable ability at ground level, in the air and in front of goal, Hilton can damage opposition as a forward threat and also in the contest.
Has 21 majors and seven best player nods in 11 games and also played in the Country Championships.
4. DAN WOOLFORD
(Renmark)
The reigning Riverland FL Mail Medallist, Woolford has had an exceptional 2024 so far.
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 two majors.
3. JONATHON BEECH
(Barmera-Monash)
Signing with hometown club Barmera-Monash for season 2024 after a starring SANFL career, former Crows and West Adelaide forward Beech has been a major standout in the RFL.
A strong and athletic player who moves around the ground well, takes big marks and boots goals from anywhere.
Has five best player mentions in seven games and 32 goals to lead the league.
2. TIM WOOLFORD
(Renmark)
Woolford remains a star name in SA country footy and is stringing yet another strong year together for the Rovers.
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 nine best player nods and five goals through his 11 games.
1. SAM BUTTERWORTH
(Barmera-Monash)
The best player in the Riverland’s top team, Butterworth has been a star for the reigning RFL premier Roos this season.
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.
Has 10 best player appearances through his 11 games so far and was a big part of Eastern’s SA Country Championships side over the weekend.
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