The top 40 players in the Adelaide Footy League’s division two for 2022
There is a bunch of talent in division two of the Adelaide Footy League and we’ve named the best players in season 2022. See who made the cut.
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Much like the first division, the second division of the Adelaide Footy League is filled with a huge amount of top talent in season 2022.
Based on this season’s form and with the input of coaches, we’ve named the top 40 players in the division in 2022.
Top two clubs Sacred Heart Old Collegians and Broadview led the way with six players each, while Athelstone, North Haven and PHOS Camden all have five representatives each.
Players who had played less than eight games were ruled ineligible.
Here’s our list – in alphabetical order.
AARON STEWART
(Athelstone)
Stewart is having another strong season for the Raggies.
A consistent contributor for his side, Stewart has tallied 12 goals in 10 appearances through the middle and up front, and has been named best on ground three times.
ALEX CAILOTTO
(Sacred Heart OC)
Arriving from South Adelaide in the preseason, SHOC’s star recruit has lived up to the hype.
Playing predominantly in the ruck and rotating through the forward line, Cailotto is a dominant presence for his midfielders.
He has also kicked 11 goals in 11 games and has been named among the club’s best eight times.
BLAKE HARRIS
(Unley Mercedes Jets)
It has been a testing 2022 for Unley Mercedes Jets after relegation from division one last season, but captain Blake Harris remains a reliable and strong presence for his club.
He has been among the Jets’ best in five of his 12 appearances.
BRETT HARLAND
(Henley)
Harland has been a force up front for the Sharks this season.
Possessing a strong set of hands and a reliable set shot, the key spearhead has booted 34 goals in 11 games for Henley.
CAM RANKIN
(Sacred Heart OC)
An x-factor in the middle and up front for Hearts, Rankin has been a big reason why his club sits top of the ladder.
He has 12 goals in 10 games and works tirelessly to connect the midfield and forward line.
CLAYTON SYMONDS
(Sacred Heart OC)
Another strong pickup for Sacred Heart OC, Symonds’ work on the ball and in front of goal has been paramount to the club’s success.
A skilful user of the footy, Symonds is comfortable distributing or finishing on either side of his body and has kicked 12 goals so far this year while featuring among the side’s best on four occasions.
DECLAN GRANT
(PHOS Camden)
With 36 goals in 13 appearances, Grant’s impact for PHOS Camden is immeasurable.
The Phantoms’ key forward is a tough match up for any defence and a near-guaranteed shot on goal when one-on-one.
DYLAN MORTON
(PHOS Camden)
Morton makes up an important part of one of the division’s best midfields.
Tough at the contest and efficient in disposal, the star on-baller covers ground with the best of them, adding seven goals from the middle this season and featuring in the Phantoms’ best on 10 separate occasions.
DYLAN SIMPSON
(Henley)
Henley coach Vinnie Rugolo said Simpson was one of the club’s hardest workers.
The speedy winger works relentlessly to find the ball and to cover ground both forward and back.
Simpson also uses the footy at a high efficiency and has the ability to cut up opposing teams with penetrating kicks.
FINN BETTERMAN
(PHOS Camden)
The second Phantoms midfielder to make the list, Betterman can impact a game in almost any way.
He is capable of putting in a shift across the ground and has also slotted home 12 goals in 12 appearances while adding five best-on-ground performances to his 2022 resume.
HENRY PAPATOLIS
(PHOS Camden)
One of PHOS Camden’s most consistent performers across multiple seasons, Papatolis is having another strong year in 2022.
The Phantoms vice captain is a strong and explosive presence in the middle for his side, often taking care of the dirty work.
He has tallied six best-on-ground performances in 12 appearances and added seven goals.
JACK WOOD
(Athelstone)
A hard worker for the Raggies who provides security behind and on the ball.
Wood has been among Athelstone’s best on six separate occasions this year.
JACK ENRIGHT
(Henley)
Arguably one of the best inside midfielders in the competition, Enright remains a dominant presence for the Sharks.
The champion on-baller has a knack for finding the ball in any situation and delivering teammates in space.
Enright has seven best-on-ground performances in 12 games.
JAKE RUSSO
(Salisbury North)
The Hawks have been in some strong form over the past month and much of their success is due to the performances of Russo in ruck.
He has tallied four of his five best-on-ground performances this season in the last five weeks, dominating the hitout battle and giving his midfielders first use.
JAMES CARTER
(Adelaide Uni)
Season 2022 has been a challenging one for the Blacks but Carter’s performance has been a positive.
The key forward has 18 goals in 11 games, consistently providing a strong option on the lead for his side.
JAMIE SOLLY
(North Haven)
With 32 goals in 13 games, Solly remains a top forward in division two.
The Magpies have needed every one of the key man’s majors as they aim for a double chance in finals.
JARED PETRENKO
(Broadview)
The former Crow has been as good as advertised in his first season with Broadview, kicking 14 goals in 10 games and being named best-on-ground three times.
JAY O’LEARY
(Broadview)
The Tigers captain has picked up from where he left off last year, dominating the midfield and controlling the game for his top two side.
The tireless on-baller is a constant terror for opposition players, leading his team by example with strong tackle pressure and the ability to win the contested ball.
He has been Broadview’s best on four separate occasions.
JORDAN O’BRIEN
(Salisbury North)
With eight goals from the middle and nine performances among Salisbury North’s best, not many midfielders have had a bigger impact on their side than O’Brien.
The gun on-baller has been a catalyst for the Hawks’ leap out of the relegation zone.
JOSH KOSTER
(Sacred Heart OC)
Koster has been incredible through the middle for SHOC and is a major reason behind the club taking top spot after 13 games.
The skilful midfielder can hit any target and has the tank to push up the ground and hit the scoreboard, with 16 goals to his name so far.
JOSH SHEPPARD
(Broadview)
Sheppard has been fantastic at centre-half-forward for Broadview, dominating up the ground and inside the attacking 50.
He has produced five best-on-ground performances in 13 games this season and has 17 goals so far to go along with countless goal assists.
LEWIS SAINT
(Broadview)
A pacey winger who can kickstart rebound attacks or finish in front of goal, Saint is an integral part of Broadview’s makeup.
The reliable star has played all 13 games so far this year with 12 goals and three best-on-ground showings.
LUKE RANDER
(Athelstone)
Raggies skipper Luke Rander has been integral to his team’s success, leading from the front week-in, week-out.
The former Redleg has kicked 22 goals from 12 games this year and is Athelstone’s inspirational leader.
MARK ROWE
(North Haven)
North Haven’s captain has been one of the club’s more consistent players, leading vocally and by example as the Magpies set sights on finals.
Rowe has kicked four goals so far this year and has been best-on-ground four times.
NICK AZZOLLINI
(North Haven)
One of the best small defenders in the competition, Azzollini is capable of locking down almost any small forward.
He has missed four games so far this year but has been best-on-ground twice.
His fitness will be key to North Haven’s chances later this season.
NICK LANGRIDGE
(Adelaide Uni)
Langridge has been uni’s best player this season, hitting the contest hard for the Blacks and packing a punch in front of goal.
He has 13 goals in 11 games and has been named among the club’s best players a team-high seven times.
NICK LIDDLE
(Broadview)
Arriving from South Adelaide in the offseason, Liddle has proved dominant at a local footy level.
The tough and skilful mid has been hard to stop, tallying six best-on-ground performances this year and hitting the contest hard to quickly distribute for teammates.
NICK WARK
(Unley Mercedes Jets)
A supremely talented forward, Wark has booted 30 goals in 11 games for a side which has struggled in division two this year.
His marking ability and goal sense have proved too good for multiple clubs.
RYAN MCINERNEY
(North Haven)
McInerney gets better each week for the Magpies and is currently on a run of five best-on-ground performances in six weeks.
His work on the ball goes almost unmatched and he has also kicked nine majors in his 13 appearances.
SAM COOKE
(Athelstone)
As reliable as anyone on the ball, Cooke has played all 13 games for the Raggies so far in season 2022, achieving six best-on-ground nominations and kicking five goals.
SAM FULTON
(Gaza)
The Gaza back pocket has seen a lot of the ball this year with the Eagles facing a challenge against most sides, but he has been as assured and reliable as any defender in the division.
Fulton even moved up the park in round 13 against PHOS Camden over the weekend, remarkably kicking four goals in a best-on-ground performance.
SAM TARCA
(Athelstone)
With 14 goals in 10 appearances and four best-on-ground mentions, Tarca has been an impactful part of the Raggies’ attack.
His ability to find the ball off the forwardline and either deliver to teammates or hit the scoreboard will be valuable come finals.
SCOTT LEWIS
(Gaza)
The former Woodville-West Torrens premiership player has dominated in the midfield despite his side’s struggles.
He’s kicked six goals and set up many more with his damaging left boot, and has tallied four of his seven total best-on-ground performances in the past month.
SEB KERRISH
(Sacred Heart OC)
There is no shortage of talent in the Hearts lineup but Kerrish might have had the best season of anyone so far.
The talented half-back plays a fundamental role out of defence, with a knack for picking off opposition attacks with multiple intercept marks a game and the ability to punish on the rebound either with his speed or his damaging delivery.
STEVEN WELLINGTON
(Salisbury North)
The Hawks’ key target man has booted an impressive 36 goals – matched with Declan Grant for second most in the division – in his 12 appearances.
He also has seven best-on-ground games, with six coming through his past seven games.
Wellington’s ability to take a game over up front was on display against North Haven in round eight, the powerful forward booting eight goals in an upset win away from home.
TIM BROADBENT
(Henley)
In Broadbent, the Sharks have a skilful and reliable option out of the back half.
He has been in especially good form as of late, with a strong best-on-ground performance coming against North Haven in round 13 during a 69-108 win at Largs North Reserve.
TOM DERHAM
(PHOS Camden)
Arriving from Langhorne Creek in the preseason, Phantoms defender Derham can do a job in the backline, or up front.
As a centre-half-back, he is reliable in the air and with ball in hand, and he can also hit the scoreboard as an occasional centre-half-forward – booting six goals in his 10 games this year.
TOM SANDERCOCK
(North Haven)
Another versatile key tall in division two, Sandercock’s ability to have a major impact forward or back is unparalleled in division two.
He can put in a strong shift at the back as a marking defender, but Sandercock has spent most of his time up front this year, kicking 24 goals in his 12 games to go along with four best-on-ground displays.
One of his best performances was an eight-goal day against Gaza in round 11.
TRISTAN CARCURO
(Sacred Heart OC)
Carcuro’s hot form comes as no surprise, with the key forward remaining a star at SHOC for a number of years.
A powerful mark and a strong, accurate kick, Carcuro is as explosive as they come up front, often beating his man to the ball.
He has a division-best 39 goals in 13 games, most recently kicking six against Adelaide Uni.
XAVIER GOTCH
(Broadview)
Another big-time recruit in division two, former South Adelaide champion Gotch has starred in Broadview’s midfield.
Gotch’s tackling pressure remains second-to-none and his quick disposal by both foot and hand has been a weapon for the Tigers this year.
He has also kicked five goals while tallying six best-on-ground appearances.
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