The Southern Football League’s top 40 players ranked for season 2022
There is plenty of talent in the Southern Football League and we’ve ranked the best players in the competition for season 2022. 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 Southern Football League has been one of the strongest leagues in local SA footy for years and is currently filled with a bunch of top drawer talent.
Based on this season’s form and with the input of the league and clubs, we’ve ranked the top 40 players in the competition for 2022.
Flagstaff Hill – coming off its sixth premiership in a row – led the way with nine players selected, while top-three sides Reynella (six) and Noarlunga (six) also featured heavily.
Players who had played less than seven games this season were ruled ineligible, meaning big names like James Smith, Nick Mott and 2021 Mail Medalist Michael Mazey missed out.
Here is our list from no. 40 to 1.
40. LIAM CORRIE
(Morphett Vale)
Corrie has remained a star for Morphett Vale for years, and is in the midst of another strong year at the Emus.
Playing off half-back but often deployed around the ground, Corrie can do it all.
He has been named in the side’s best in seven of his 10 appearances and has also managed three majors so far in 2022.
39. BRAD POTTER
(Reynella)
Potter has been a force for top side Reynella this season.
The forward/midfielder knows his way around goal, booting 26 in 13 games so far in 2022 to go along with three best on ground performances.
38. DYLAN WILLIAMS
(Morphett Vale)
A supremely talented half-forward, Williams has slotted 26 goals in nine appearances for Morphett Vale this season.
Kicking majors is not all the Emus star contributes either, with his ability to move up the ground and take part in attacking chains an important part of his side’s makeup.
37. MATT BEINKE
(Aldinga)
A member of the SFL’s association team this season, Beinke’s work in the ruck for Aldinga has made him a standout in 2022.
Knows where his midfielders are at all times and consistently gives teammates first use with skilful tap-work.
Beinke has been best on ground five times in nine appearances for the Sharks.
36. JAYDEN LITTLE
(Happy Valley)
Little has been a big game player for Happy Valley this season, with two of his best performances notably coming against Christies Beach and Reynella.
Spatially aware in the contest, competent on either side of his body and clean with his hands, he has hit the scoreboard five times and set up countless teammates so far this year.
35. JAKE MCCREERY
(Cove)
McCreery’s ability to have an impact on the ball and in the forwardline is almost second to none.
In 11 appearances for the Cobras, he has tallied 16 goals and six best on ground mentions.
Strong bodied, skilful and decisive with the ball, McCreery will remain a weapon for Cove as it pushes for finals this season.
34. LEE HOEY
(Christies Beach)
A member of this year’s Southern District SANFL Country Championships team, Hoey has only played eight games for Christies Beach but has dominated in each one.
A versatile player who battles hard in the contest, the Saints star has six best on ground nods in his eight games so far in season 2022.
33. NATHAN BEENHAM
(Flagstaff Hill)
As good as anyone on his day in the half-forward position, Beenham’s selection comes as no surprise.
Also a solid contributor at South Adelaide, the Flagstaff Hill star continues to produce in front of goal and up the ground.
Beenham has 29 goals in 11 appearances this season and has been among the best for the Falcons on eight separate occasions.
32. VICTOR ROBERTSON
(Noarlunga)
A star full forward for the Shoes, Robertson has played a significant part in his club’s rise to second on the ladder this year.
A strong mark and quick on the lead, Robertson always presents a strong option up front.
He has 34 goals so far this season and five best on ground performances.
31. ASH BAXTER
(Port Noarlunga)
Baxter has been a consistent positive for Port Noarlunga during what would be a disappointing season for the club on the field.
His versatility sees him either dominating for his side on the ball or chipping in as a skilful forward who can kick goals or set up his teammates.
He has eight goals in 11 appearances so far, with four best on ground performances.
30. AIDEN BAKER
(Morphett Vale)
Baker has been dominant for Morphett Vale and an important part of the SFL’s association team this season.
Versatility is his greatest strength, with the ability to play on the wing, in defence or on the ball constantly keeping opposition on their toes.
Baker has four goals and five best on ground performances in his 11 appearances for the Emus in 2022.
29. TROY JOHNSON
(Noarlunga)
Johnson has a significant impact for Noarlunga each game he plays.
With the ability to play on the ball or in the forwardline, the 250-gamer is one of the Shoes’ most important players.
So far this season Johnson has tallied 13 goals and three best on ground performances in eight games, including an impressive outing against Reynella in round nine.
28. NICHOLAS FRISBY-SMITH
(Happy Valley)
One of the catalysts for fifth-placed Happy Valley’s solid season so far, Frisby-Smith remains one of the league’s best midfielders.
A challenge for any team to keep quiet, Frisby-Smith spends his time rotating from the middle to the forwardline, helping his team to important wins.
He has four goals to go along with four best on ground performances through his 12 games so far.
27. BEN GEYTENBEEK
(Happy Valley)
Arguably the best full forward in the competition, Geytenbeek currently leads the league’s goalkicking standings.
Quick on the lead, strong in the air, almost unbeatable one-on-one and a reliable kick for goal, the Happy Valley star has 49 goals in just 11 games this season.
26. MICHAEL GALLEY
(Cove)
The former Glenelg utility has been a star of the SFL for many years now.
The Cove captain battles hard each week and leads the Cobras with his guidance and imposing will in the contest.
Galley has four goals and five best on ground appearances in 10 games.
25. NATHAN SCHULZ
(Noarlunga)
Noarlunga’s gun ruckman makes the list after a strong year, dominating against most big men in the competition as his Shoes side aims for a premiership.
Schulz’s consistent tap-work has seen him bag two best on ground performances this year – a tough feat in his position – and he has also hit the scoreboard for a goal.
24. SCOTT GRIEVE
(Cove)
Another who can both rove and play forward, Grieve’s sensational year for Cove cannot be overlooked.
Unlucky to miss the league’s association team, the Cobras gun has booted 10 goals in 11 games to go along with seven best on ground performances.
Grieve’s damaging versatility has Cove primed for a finals push in the remaining month of games.
23. DWAYNE RUDDOCK
(Happy Valley)
Ruddock also spends his time both up front and in the middle, and remains a weapon for the Vikings in big games.
Both an efficient user of the ball and a strong finisher in front of goal, he has 18 goals and four best on ground performances in 12 games.
22. CALLUM GASPARI
(Noarlunga)
A member of this season’s Southern District SANFL Country Championships squad, Gaspari has had a fantastic year for Noarlunga.
A skilful forward/midfielder who can win the ball in the contest or push up the ground to kick goals (nine this season), the Shoes star has been best on ground in five of his 12 appearances and has been a catalyst for his side’s strong season.
21. ROBERT SCHINDLER-TAYLOR
(Morphett Vale)
One of Morphett Vale’s most consistent performers this season, Schindler-Taylor’s ability to provide run and carry, as well as damaging disposal off of half-back, has been priceless for his team.
The SFL association team mainstay has also been able to perform consistently during stints in the midfield, and has booted five goals in 12 games to go along with his nine best on ground mentions.
20. CALLAN SEMPLE
(Reynella)
With 37 goals in 12 games for the league’s top team in 2022, rotational forwards don’t get much more impactful than Semple.
The Reynella star can play as either a full forward or half-forward and has booted four goals against Flagstaff Hill twice, while adding eight against Port Noarlunga in round eight.
He has also had three best on ground outings.
19. TATE COLEMAN
(Happy Valley)
Also producing strong outings for South Adelaide in the SANFL, Coleman remains one of the best players in the competition.
Doing his damage out of centre, Coleman has been Happy Valley’s best player this year.
The strong and explosive midfielder has booted seven goals and had eight best on ground mentions in his 11 games in 2022.
18. TYNAN CARNEY
(Flagstaff Hill)
Another top drawer Flagstaff Hill player to make the list, Carney’s ability to rotate through the ruck from centre-half forward has proved integral to the Falcons’ success.
The big man is comfortable on either side of his body when distributing and can compete with the best in the air.
Carney has seven goals and three best on ground performances in 11 games.
17. MICHAEL SHEARER
(Flagstaff Hill)
If there’s one thing Shearer is known for, it’s courage.
His best on ground performance for the Falcons with a torn ACL in the 2018 grand final has gone down in league folklore.
Shearer remains as tough as they come, playing as a versatile midfielder, onballer and forward who is hard at it and as skilful as any with ball in hand.
He has seven goals in 11 games as well as seven best on ground nods.
16. JAIDAN KAPPLER
(Noarlunga)
Son of former South Adelaide champion David Kappler, Jaidan has produced at a high level for both the Panthers and Noarlunga in the SFL.
An explosive winger, Kappler can tear teams apart with his blistering pace and decisive ball-use.
He has 15 goals in 12 games to go with his five best on ground performances and has also played for the SFL’s association team.
15. ANGUS STANGEWITZ
(Aldinga)
Another mainstay in the SFL association side, Stangewitz’s level of production remains among the competition’s best.
The Aldinga centre-half back covers ground like next to no one else.
With the ability to clunk almost any type of delivery and distribute with ease out of defence, the Sharks star has been among the side’s best seven times in 11 appearances.
He also kicked a rare goal against Reynella in round eight.
14. LUKE BEENHAM
(Flagstaff Hill)
A gun utility for the Falcons, Beenham can have an impact anywhere on the ground and specialises in producing strong and assured defensive work.
He has been best on ground five times in 11 games and was also a member of this year’s Country Championships squad.
13. BLAKE CARTER
(Christies Beach)
Arguably the best key forward in the competition, Carter possesses the ability to move up the ground and provide a strong target in the air, while also dominating defenders inside 50.
Carter has 26 goals in his 11 games this season, while tallying four best on ground performances.
12. MARC BORHOLM
(Reynella)
Borholm’s performance as a key target forward this season has consolidated his spot among the Southern Football League’s best.
Also showing the ability to rotate through the ruck and give his midfielders first use of the ball, the Reynella gun has been key to his team’s top spot campaign.
He has 45 goals in 12 appearances this year to go with six best on ground nods.
11. JAKE ANDERSON
(Noarlunga)
A sure-fire association team selection this season, Anderson’s contribution on-ball has made him the standout player for Noarlunga this season.
The Shoes captain – who also features at South Adelaide – is a clearance machine who can hit the scoreboard, booting three goals out of the middle for his club this year.
Anderson was another player included in this season’s Southern Districts side at the SA Country Championships.
10. BRAD KIRK
(Flagstaff Hill)
A champion defender for the Falcons, Kirk has arguably been the best backman in the SFL since his arrival from West Adelaide in 2015.
With five best on ground performances in 11 games playing at fullback and centre-half back, Kirk has given many of the competition’s best forwards a headache this season.
If the skilled rebounder can continue his strong play out of the defensive line, the Falcons will be a big chance at a seventh flag in a row.
9. BRAD PATTERSON
(Flagstaff Hill)
Another member of the Southern Districts SA Country Championships side, Patterson simply gets better and better for Flagstaff Hill.
A consistent rover with incredible spatial awareness and distribution, Patterson has kicked eight goals in 11 games and has been the Falcons’ best on ground four times.
8. ROBERT IRRA
(Reynella)
The brother of former AFL player Emmanuel Irra, Robert Irra has done major damage along the wing, or on the ball in season 2022.
One of the hardest players to bring to a stop in the competition, Irra can single-handedly beat teams by penetrating kicks or by hitting the scoreboard himself.
He has eight goals and five best on ground showings this year, and was also a part of the Country Championships side.
7. DAVID KEARSLEY
(Flagstaff Hill)
Kearsley has been one of the best players in the competition through his 275 games over almost a decade for Flagstaff Hill.
A talented onballer who also rotates through defence, Kearsley is as hard at the contest as anyone in the competition and has a tremendous footy IQ.
He has kicked four goals in 11 games and has been among the best for the Falcons nine times.
6. AIDAN COAKLEY
(Christies Beach)
Christies Beach’s best player this season, Coakley’s work across half-back and through the middle has damaged multiple sides in the competition.
Coakley’s ability to read the game is among the best in the league and his disposal is as efficient as anyone.
He has remarkably been among his side’s best in 11 of his 13 appearances, while also adding six goals to his season.
5. MITCH JOHNSON
(Flagstaff Hill)
Previously a top-up player for the Crows and also a solid contributor for South Adelaide, Johnson remains one of the best players in the competition.
A talented and versatile asset for the Falcons who can play on the ball or slide in seamlessly up front and kick important goals.
A smooth player who always makes the correct decision, Johnson has eight goals and four best on ground nods in his eight appearances.
4. CAM MCGREE
(Reynella)
With 13 goals in eight games predominantly playing ruck, McGree has undoubtedly been one of the standouts in the SFL this season.
Not only does McGree have the ability to beat any ruck in the competition with clever tap and clearance, but a knack for moving forward and hitting the scoreboard has been key for Reynella.
The big man has been among his team’s best in eight out of eight performances.
3. ANTHONY BIEMANS
(Morphett Vale)
A former VFL player and SANFL player with South Adelaide, Biemans is the best rover in the SFL competition.
The Emus star is explosive out of the contest and rarely ever misses a target.
Has kicked 10 goals roving this season and has been among Morphett Vale’s best eight times in 12 appearances.
2. BAILEY MARSHMAN
(Reynella)
Another from the Crows’ top-up list and also part of Adelaide’s SANFL team, Marshman had been an unstoppable force up front and in the ruck for Reynella.
A supremely athletic and skilful player, Marshman is strong on both sides and hard to quell in the air.
The star Country Championships team member has 34 goals in 11 games for his SFL club as well as seven best player mentions.
1. SAM THARALDSEN
(Flagstaff Hill)
Also part of Adelaide’s SANFL side, Tharaldsen is Flagstaff Hill’s spiritual leader in the back half.
With the ability to contest any forward in the air or on the ground and then dispose of the ball with high efficiency, he rarely ever has a bad game in his centre-half back position.
Tharaldsen has three best on ground performances in nine games so far, while also captaining the association side and taking part in the Country Championships.
Watch now: Australian Junior Hardcourt Tennis Championships, Day 5
After four exciting days, it’s time for the singles semifinals and doubles finals in Adelaide, and there are some cracking matches set down for decision. Catch six games LIVE. Check the schedule.
Read more
Bonner makes call on SA footy rumours ahead of 2025
Former Port Adelaide and St Kilda defender Riley Bonner has addressed rumours of a return to SA footy as well as his hopes for the future after being delisted by the Saints.
Read more