The top 25 Southern Football League players of the 21st Century ranked
There has been no shortage of talent in the Southern Football League throughout the 21st Century so we’ve ranked the best of the best. See our top 25 players of the past 25 years.
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The Southern Football League has been stacked with top local footy talent for decades.
With the help of league insiders, we’ve ranked our top 25 players of the 21st Century with season 2025 just around the corner.
Footballing ability, achievements, awards and impact were taken into account when making selections.
Here is our list from 25 to 1.
25. TYLER DAVIES
(Reynella)
A dominant and versatile player for Reynella, Davies has emerged as a star in the SFL.
Wins plenty of the footy and makes the right decisions with a high footy IQ to damage his opponents.
Was named best afield in his side’s 2024 premiership win and has made multiple teams of the year.
24. REID BEECHING
(Morphett Vale)
A talented half-forward utility who was a major part of Morphett Vale’s run of premierships between 2004-2009.
Beeching could control a game with his ability to win ground and aerial ball, create opportunities for teammates or kick goals himself.
Booted three majors in the club’s 2005 grand final win and has been named in the Emus’ greatest team.
23. JASON FARRIER
(Reynella)
A bull in the contest, Farrier ranks among Reynella’s top players of the past 25 years.
Could win plenty of the contested footy and deal to teammates with precision while also hitting the scoreboard himself.
Was best on ground in the club’s 2013 premiership and also won flags in 2015 and 2022.
22. MITCH JOHNSON
(Flagstaff Hill)
Best on ground in Flagstaff Hill’s 2021 premiership win, Johnson has been a big part of the Falcons’ successes this century.
Can play up front or through the contest with standout marking ability and reliable hand and foot skills.
Has been a team of the year member and played in five Falcons premierships.
21. SAM MILLER
(Noarlunga)
A star midfielder for Noarlunga, Miller has been one of the club’s top players through the past 25 years.
Often seen as a midfield maestro for the Shoes, Miller has been a creative player when in possession for his side, often damaging sides with his crafty disposal.
Was among his club’s best in the 2014 premiership win and has also performed at a top level in losing grand finals.
20. BAILEY MARSHMAN
(Reynella)
Marshman has emerged as a top player in the SFL throughout recent years and has been one of the big reasons for Reynella’s recent success.
The former Crows top-up list member can be a force up front and in the ruck on his day and has the ability to take over a game with his size and finesse.
Was among the best players in the 2022 Reynella premiership and was also a standout in last season’s win.
19. BRAD KIRK
(Flagstaff Hill)
A member of all seven Flagstaff Hill premiership sides of the 21st Century, Kirk sits firmly among the competition’s best of the past 25 years.
A star defender for the Falcons who can also move up front or in the contest if needed, Kirk boasts reliable skills and a number of big performances in big games.
Kirk has been a member of multiple teams of the year and was named among his side’s best performers in three of his seven premiership wins.
18. MATT GOLDING
(Noarlunga)
The former Glenelg and Crows player made a return to local footy after his League career and was dominant up front for Noarlunga after playing with Edwardstown.
A strong and tall key forward, Golding led SFL goalkicking in 2010 with 110 majors, 2011 with 121 and 2013 with 71 after finals (Josh Ramsey led at the conclusion of the minor round).
Has since become a star coach of Hills FL powerhouse Hahndorf.
17. JOSH RAMSEY
(Cove)
Recently coaching Port District to two D1 flags in three years, Ramsey was a brilliant leader on the field during his playing days.
A tall, strong and versatile half-forward who could bag goals or have an impact around the ground with his marking ability and distribution.
Ramsey captained Cove to a 2008 premiership and has been named captain of the club’s greatest team.
16. IAN BROWN
(Port Noarlunga)
Port Noarlunga’s star player of this century, Brown has been a top performer in a number of roles for the Cockledivers.
Starting his career as a talented and skilled back flanker, Brown quickly became one of the top players in the SFL.
Used his height and footy smarts to play key positions later in his career, won a number of club best and fairests and was named in multiple teams of the year.
15. JOSH VICK
(Cove)
Cove’s top player throughout the early part of the 21st Century.
A talented and skilled rover who racked up high disposal numbers and always made good decisions when in possession, either delivering to teammates or hitting the scoreboard.
Was the club’s best player during its 2008 premiership run and also won the 2010 Mail Medal.
14. MICHAEL MAZEY
(Happy Valley, Christies Beach)
A big-bodied midfielder who can also go forward and dominate, Mazey has starred for two SFL clubs during the 21st Century.
One of the most skilled and unstoppable players in the competition at his best, Mazey has struggled with staying on the park throughout his career but has produced some of the competition’s best performances when available.
Won a Mail Medal in 2020 playing just 11 games.
13. NATHAN BAYLY
(Morphett Vale)
A versatile and consistent star for the Emus, Bayly was integral to the club’s success through the 2000s.
Could control a game from the middle or up front with great all-round skills and was often among Morphett Vale’s goalkickers throughout their grand final appearances in the 2000s.
Played in four premierships and was named best on ground in his club’s 2009 victory.
12. CALLAN SEMPLE
(Reynella)
The Reynella stalwart has been one of the top players in the SFL for years and has been integral in a number of Wineflies successes.
Semple is a versatile star who can do a job through the middle and also play as a damaging forward with a high footy IQ and impressive finishing ability.
Has played in four Wineflies premierships and been a key asset in each.
11. DALE BETTERMAN
(Brighton)
A dual Mail Medallist during Brighton’s time in the SFL.
Betterman was often unstoppable through the midfield with his ability to win the ball at ground level and in the air and deal to teammates efficiently by hand or foot.
Won the Mail Medal in 2001 and 2002 and was a big part of the Bombers’ 2002 flag.
10. MARC BORHOLM
(Reynella)
Borholm has only played a few seasons in the SFL but has already achieved major successes as a star ruck/forward utility of the competition.
The Wineflies big man and former Woodville-West Torrens gun dominates each week with clever hit-outs, big marks and bags of goals.
Has a Mail Medal win in 2023 and was a key factor in the 2022 and 2024 Reynella premierships.
9. JONATHON EAGLETON
(Happy Valley)
A superstar for Happy Valley at his peak, Eagleton helped the club to a number of competitive and successful years in the SFL.
Eagleton was a standout onballer for the Vikings who racked up disposals for fun each week and damaged opposition with his disposal.
Won two consecutive Mail Medals in 2012 and 2013 and booted four goals in a huge performance during Happy Valley’s 2012 premiership win over Brighton.
8. BRADEN BAYLY
(Morphett Vale)
An instrumental part of Morphett Vale’s success in the 2000s, Bayly undoubtedly remains one of the top SFL players of the 21st Century.
A member of the Emus’ all-time team, Bayly was a hardworking onballer who could win plenty of his own footy, break the lines and deliver to teammates or hit the scoreboard.
Won the Mail Medal in 2011 and was instrumental in four of his club’s five flags between 2004 to 2009.
7. SAM THARALDSEN
(Flagstaff Hill)
Undoubtedly one of Flagstaff Hill’s greatest players, Tharaldsen has been a consistent star in the SFL.
A key position player who can do it all, Tharaldsen can dictate a game with his marking and spoiling ability at the back and his efficient distribution around the ground.
The former South Adelaide and Adelaide SANFL player is now playing-coach of the Falcons and has been integral in the club’s remarkable run of premierships.
6. DAVID KEARSLEY
(Flagstaff Hill)
A 400-game player and a captain for the Falcons, Kearsley has starred throughout the 21st Century in the SFL.
A talented onballer who can rotate through the backline or up front, Kearsley is hard at the contest and has a tremendous footy IQ.
Kearsley has won seven premierships with Flagstaff Hill, made a number of teams of the year and was best on ground in the 2020 grand final.
5. SAM WHITBREAD
(Reynella)
A star inside midfielder who has dominated or the Wineflies since returning from the SANFL, Whitbread has recently etched his name among the competition’s very best of the past 25 years.
Whitbread is a restless player in the contest who isn’t afraid of doing the dirty work for his side and boasts elite hand and foot skills.
Has won two of the last three Mail Medals and was a key part of Reynella’s 2022 and 2024 premierships.
4. MARK JOLLY
(Brighton)
A superstar in the 90s, Jolly also experienced some major successes with Brighton through the early 2000s.
Usually employed as a dominant follower or across half forward, Jolly was a supremely skilled player who could win his own footy, find teammates with precision and also boot goals when needed.
He won two Mail Medals in the 90s before claiming another in 2003, helped Brighton to a flag in 2002 with a best on ground performance and has also been named in the ‘SFL 125 year team’.
3. NICK MOTT
(Noarlunga)
Noarlunga’s standout of the 21st Century, Mott has been one of the competition’s most consistent players of the last 25 years.
Mott is a versatile star who can dominate in the ruck and through the middle while also having a positive impact up front with his ability to take big marks and finish for goal.
Has won two Mail Medals in 2018 and 2019 and played a key role in the Shoes’ 2014 flag.
2. SCOTT POLLARD
(Morphett Vale)
A prolific goalkicker with top drawer skills, Pollard booted 803 goals in 178 games at Morphett Vale from 1999 to 2010.
He was leading goalkicker for the club on 10 separate occasions and kicked 124 in 2007, 118 in 2008 and 125 in 2009 – each the league leading total.
Pollard captained the Emus to five premierships from 2004 to 2009 and he was also named in the ‘SFL 125 year team’ in 2011.
1. MICHAEL SHEARER
(Flagstaff Hill)
One of Flagstaff Hill’s greatest captains and arguably the club’s greatest player, dominant midfielder Shearer boasts an impressive CV.
A tough and skilled player who can take control of a game with his ability to win the footy and find teammates or hit the scoreboard, Shearer has helped the Falcons to seven premierships.
He has also won two Mail Medals in 2014 and 2015 and has been best on ground in two grand final wins, one of which he played on a torn ACL.
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