The top 40 players in the Adelaide Footy League’s division two in 2021
There are stacks of talent in the Adelaide Footy League’s division two – and we’ve named the best players this season. See who made the cut.
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It may be the second tier of the Adelaide Footy League but the talent in division two is far from second rate.
Based on this season’s form and with the input of coaches, we’ve named the top 40 performers in the division in 2021.
Ladder leader Glenunga, which has lost just one game across the first 14 rounds, attracted the most selections with six Rams featured.
Those who had played less than eight games were ruled ineligible.
Here’s our best – in alphabetical order.
AARON STEWART
(Athelstone)
While Athelstone’s season so far has been inconsistent, Stewart has been a consistent and outstanding contributor. Named in the Raggies’ top players on nine occasions – seven of them either first or second best.
ADAM SCHOLZ
(PHOS Camden)
Scholz was set back by injury early in the season – playing just one of the first six rounds – but has been on a remarkable run since his return. The classy midfielder has been named in PHOS Camden’s best every match since round seven.
ALEXANDER DAVIES
(Athelstone)
A key contributor in recent seasons, Davies began the year in terrific form and leads the Raggies with 18 goals from 14 games.
ALEX HAREN
(Glenunga)
Haren has been the Rams’ standout, consistent midfielder this campaign. The Glenunga captain does a lot of the grunt work inside to release runners, racking up big clearance and tackle numbers.
BEAU SCHWARZE
(Glenunga)
The young half-back, who made his SANFL league debut under Rams coach Nathan Grima last year, has been a handy pick up. Schwarze is on track to develop into one of the competition’s top talents and can also play midfield and forward.
BEN YEOMANS
(Broadview)
A tough midfielder with plenty of experience, Yeomans has been a influential recruit for the Tigers since joining the club in 2020.
BRADYN WILD
(Seaton Ramblers)
In a tough season for Seaton, Wild has put together an outstanding run of form and has been named in the Ramblers’ best on nine occasions so far.
BRETT HARLAND
(Seaton Ramblers)
It would have been a crime to leave the gun Seaton forward off this list. Harland leads the division with 56 goals from his 13 games – 22 ahead of the next closest player – and has carried the scoring load for the bottom-placed Ramblers.
CALLUM HAY
(Salisbury North)
Former Port Adelaide rookie Hay is now a veteran of the competition but continues to be a leading player at Salisbury North, putting together two best on ground performances this campaign. Has previously done his best work down back but has moved up forward to provide a target this season.
D’ARCY MITCHELL
(Glenunga)
Young full back Mitchell has been impressive in his first season since joining from Sturt, often given the job of locking down the opposition’s most dangerous forward.
DOMENICO COSTANZO
(Salisbury North)
Costanzo – a smart, big-bodied midfielder – is a key cog in the Salisbury North line up who can win the ball both inside and outside. His SANFL experience with Central District and the Crows shines through and looks a class above on his day.
DOUGLAS PROUD
(Sacred Heart OC)
One of the more underrated members of the SHOC line up, Proud has quietly put together an outstanding season thus far. Consistent, tough, skilful and deserving of a spot on this list.
HARRIS JESSEN
(Henley)
Jessen is often deployed in the ruck but is able to make an impact around the ground with his competitiveness and physicality.
HENRY PAPATOLIS
(PHOS Camden)
Second in last year’s medal count and the Phantoms’ reigning best and fairest, Papatolis is comfortably one of the division’s best midfielders. His campaign has been fantastic and a big reason PHOS Camden has shot to second on the ladder.
JACK ENRIGHT
(Henley)
Enright, who notched his 100th game for the club earlier this season, has been the Sharks’ standout midfielder for much of the season.
JAKE RUSSO
(Salisbury North)
Salisbury North’s athletic ruckman has established himself as one of the best big men in division two after bulking up in the off-season and developing his ruck craft. Russo feeds the Hawks on-ballers, allowing the likes of Costanzo and Dreimann to rack up big numbers.
JAMES LEAN
(Henley)
In a year where the Sharks have certainly been tested, they have needed their leaders and skipper Lean has stood up well.
JAMES WUNDKE
(Glenunga)
One of three Wundke brothers at the Rams this season, James is one of the ladder leaders most crucial players. When the mobile ruckman is impacting the game Glenunga usually ends up with a win.
JAY O’LEARY
(Broadview)
Broadview’s captain is also one of its leading on-ballers. Has been a key contributor in the majority of his side’s victories and has the tendency to bob up with a crucial goal when needed.
JOSH KOSTER
(Sacred Heart OC)
The 23-year-old midfielder, who joined the club from West Adelaide prior to round six, has shown his class and had a significant influence since his arrival. So much so, SHOC has gone 7-2 since Koster made his debut.
LAWRENCE COMMAZZETTO
(Old Ignatians)
An Iggies stalwart, Commazzetto began the campaign in strong form and is enjoying one of his best seasons yet at the Wolves.
LUKE RANDER
(Athelstone)
Few players are as crucial to their team’s success in division two as Raggies skipper Rander. The former Redleg is the reigning best and fairest and a terrific leader.
MACKENZIE NIELD
(PHOS Camden)
PHOS’ leading goal kicker has been on the injury list but is likely to return once play resumes from the Covid lockdown and will be crucial to the Phantoms’ finals run.
MATHEW BRUNOLI
(Old Ignatians)
The ex-Redlegs and Payneham Norwood Union man, now in his third season at the club, boasts plenty of experience and uses it well to be a consistent impact at division two level. Has put together two best on ground performances this season against the same opponent – SHOC.
MAX MARSLEN
(Scotch OC)
It is no coincidence Marslen’s explosion of form in recent weeks has happened alongside a resurgence at Scotch. The tall forward has booted 26 goals in his past four games to take his total 33 on the season. Very difficult to stop when up and running, Marslen missed the early part of the season with glandular fever.
MICHAEL MCMAHON
(Glenunga)
Glenunga’s star man is a consensus choice among opposition coaches as one of the top players in the competition as a super dangerous utility who can play forward, wing and through the midfield. The former North Adelaide man has kicked the second most goals in the division, including a bag of seven in round nine and four from the wing in a match earlier this month.
NICK RAMSEY
(PHOS Camden)
Had put together a strong season – including three best on ground performances – before breaking his leg in round 11. But coach Damian Minervini said a strong recovery has given him a slim chance of returning for the finals.
PAUL DREIMANN
(Salisbury North)
A recruit this season who is a familiar face to those at Bagster Road, Dreimann’s return to the Hawks has been as anticipated. The in and under midfielder has made 10 appearances in the Hawks’ best from 14 games.
PETER ROLFE
(Scotch OC)
Rolfe, who had an injury-plagued SANFL career with South Adelaide, is a veteran of the Scotch side and one of its leaders. Still has a few tricks up his sleeve.
SAM BOOTS
(Old Ignatians)
Often not talked up by his coach, onballer Boots has regularly been one of Old Ignatians’ best in recent seasons and 2021 is no exception. The 2019 best and fairest winner been named in the best players 10 times to go with 15 goals.
SAM HARGREAVES
(Scotch OC)
A young midfielder who has come on in leaps and bounds this season. Hargreaves has been a stand in skipper for the Lions this season and has quickly established himself as one of their leading on-ballers.
SAM INGLIS
(PHOS Camden)
The Phantoms’ captain and 2019 best and fairest has been in fine form in defence and is a crucial cog of the side.
SCOTT TAYLOR
(Scotch OC)
Another former South Adelaide man at Scotch, Taylor goes about his business with little fuss but is as effective has they come in the engine room.
SHANE HARRIS
(Seaton Ramblers)
A division three medallist, Harris’ terrific play and dreadlocked hair catches the eye of umpires and supporters alike. Opposition coaches always put plenty of work into the Ramblers gun.
SHAUN TAPP
(Sacred Heart OC)
The centre-half back is one of the best defenders in the competition and has also gone forward with good effect at times. Would be a strong chance to take out SHOC’s best and fairest.
THOMAS MCDERMOTT
(Sacred Heart OC)
A courageous youngster, Glenelg product McDermott has caught the eye in his first season as SHOC with a string of strong performances in the midfield and on the wing.
TIM BROADBENT
(Henley)
Henley’s reigning best and fairest is an ever-present at half-back and plays the position as well as anyone in the division.
TYLER MCKENZIE
(Broadview)
A North Adelaide product, McKenzie’s first season at Tigerland has been a strong one with several standout performances.
WILL ABBOTT
(Old Ignatians)
It’s been an injury interrupted campaign for Iggies’ skipper but the influence of Abbott when he’s fit and healthy cannot be understated. The former Norwood midfielder and 2017 division two medallist is a ball-winner on the inside and can spread with the best of them.
ZACH SMITH
(Glenunga)
A 22-year-old recruit from the Northern Territory, Smith’s versatility to play tall or small down back has been invaluable for Glenunga this season.
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