The top 40 River Murray FL players for season 2023 ranked
The River Murray Football League has a stack of talent and remains one of SA’s best country footy competitions, so we’ve ranked the top 40 players in the competition in 2023. See who made the cut.
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The River Murray Football League season has been as exciting as ever with three new clubs and a number of star players returning to the competition.
Based on this season’s form and with the input of league players, coaches and officials, we’ve ranked the top 40 RMFL players for 2023.
2022 grand finalists Imperials (six) and Jervois (seven) led the way for representation with 13 players between them.
Here are our rankings from 40 to 1.
40. ZANE BARRY
(Jervois)
Barry has been a key cog in the Jervois machine yet again this season, dominating from the middle and also hitting the scoreboard regularly.
Strong in the contest, Barry boasts a penetrating boot and a high footy IQ.
Has four best player nods and 10 goals in seven games.
39. SHANE PAECH
(Mallee Districts)
Paech finished third in Mallee FL goalkicking last season while also playing in the midfield and has picked up where he left off this year.
A skilful player who can damage sides with his disposal by foot or hit the scoreboard, Paech has 10 goals and three best player performances.
38. MICHAEL LEONARD
(Mallee Districts)
A star forward for the Storm, Leonard’s start to the season has arguably been as good as any at his club.
Leonard executes brilliantly in front of goal and also has the skills to create for others.
He can also move up the ground for a presence in the air and has 21 goals in seven games to go with four best player nods.
37. NICK HOMBSCH
(Mypolonga)
A star player for Orroroo in the Northern Areas FA last season, Hombsch has provided a boost for Mypolonga up front this year.
A strong target with safe hands and a reliable kick for goal, Hombsch has booted 10 majors in seven games and has been among the Tigers’ best twice.
36. JACOB RANCE
(Imperials)
A versatile player who can either slot in Imps’ defence or through the midfield, Rance has started promisingly for his side this season.
Rance works hard on the ball and in defence, contesting a number of balls with courage and tenacity.
Has three best player nods so far this year.
35. ANDY VINES
(Mallee Districts)
Arriving at Mallee Districts after eight seasons with Onkaparinga Valley in the Hills FL, Vines has proven to be an impactful and reliable mid for the Storm.
A hard worker who accumulates a lot of footy and deals with ease to teammates, Vines has two goals and three best player nods in four games.
34. BRYCE JAENSCH
(Mannum)
A versatile player with reliable skills and the ability to impact the game in multiple ways, Jaensch has been one of the Roos’ standouts again this year.
Capable of playing behind the ball or through the middle, Jaensch has two goals and two best player nods in six games.
33. DYLAN RIBBONS
(Mannum)
A hardworking midfielder with reliable skills, Ribbons has the ability to push forward and generate goals for his side.
Ribbons has barely played a bad game for the Roos, tallying five best player nods and eight majors in his seven games so far this year.
32. BEN MORONEY
(Southern Mallee)
The 2022 Mallee Football League Mail Medallist has been on a roll in the RMFL this season, producing up front and in the contest.
Moroney has a strong set of hands and a reliable set-shot, and has booted 15 goals in six games to go along with four best player mentions.
31. BRODIE EDWARDS
(Tailem Bend)
A Glenelg reserve last season, Edwards has contributed consistently for Tailem Bend this year after arriving from Henley.
Edwards has the ability to play around the ground in various goals and knows his way around the big sticks, tallying seven majors to go along with four best player appearances in five games.
30. JACK HOLLIDAY
(Coorong)
An athletic and mobile half-forward with elite running ability and reliable skills, Holliday has been a standout for the Cats in season 2023.
A State Country Championships player for the Eastern Zone last season, the Coorong forward has kicked four goals so far this season and has shown the ability to move around the ground in a number of roles.
29. STEPHEN MILLS
(Mypolonga)
A tall and mobile ruck with a reliable set of hands and the ability to finish in front of goal, Mills has again been among the top talls in the RMFL this year.
The former Gold Coast Suns reserves player has been a star for the Tigers, booting 14 goals in six games this year.
28. JACOB TREVORROW
(Rambler)
A star through the middle for Rambler who has also added nine goals so far in season 2023, Trevorrow remains one of the Roosters’ most productive players.
Trevorrow boats efficient skills on either side of his body and finds plenty of the footy each week.
Has been named among his side’s best five times so far.
27. MACKENZIE HANSEN
(Jervois)
The brother of star Jervois forward Ben, Mackenzie has been a classy intercept defender for the Bluds who uses his damaging kick to break lines and set-up counter attacks.
Has also moved up front to hit the scoreboard multiple times this year, booting five goals in his seven games.
26. BEN GOGEL
(Imperials)
Gogel has been impressive in 2023 after a strong 2022 season and remains an important presence in the contest for Imperials.
A hardworking player who finds plenty of the footy and can kick goals or set them up, Gogel has three best player performances in five games this year.
25. KYE ROBERTS
(Rambler)
With SANFL League experience under his belt for West Adelaide and Port Adelaide last season, former Mitcham defender Kye Roberts has been exceptional for Rambler so far.
An athletic player with the ability to take strong intercept marks and distribute out of the backline, Roberts has been among the Roosters’ best in three of his four games so far.
24. ALEXANDER STIDIFORD
(Coorong)
Hard at the contest and efficient by hand and foot, Stidiford has been a key player for the Cats since arriving from North Haven in the Adelaide Footy League.
Has been in Coorong’s best players through five of his seven performances and should be a major factor throughout the remainder of the season.
23. TAITE SILVERLOCK
(Jervois)
The former West Adelaide utility has been a major asset for Jervois for a number of years now and can play multiple positions including on the ball or at the back.
Silverlock has a good footy brain and has played a significant part in the Bluds’ run of grand finals and premierships.
22. KEYNAN HARRADINE
(Rambler)
A strong, big-bodied midfielder known for his toughness and fearless attack on the footy, Harradine tallies multiple tackles each game and applies valued pressure for the Roosters.
Has seven goals and two best player nods in seven games so far this season.
21. AARON PRATT
(Rambler)
Pratt is a powerful in-and-under rover who loves the contest and provides an important presence for the Roosters.
Often does the dirty work for his side and has featured in Rambler’s best players in four of his seven games.
20. BRODIE MARTIN
(Coorong)
The former Crow has been dominant in the RMFL yet again this season, impressing for Coorong in the middle and up front each week.
A veteran with 38 AFL games under his belt, Martin provides valuable experience for the Cats.
Has six goals and two best player nods in six games.
19. PATRICK DAVIES
(Mypolonga)
Kalangadoo’s star player made the move to the RMFL in the pre-season and has been a force for the Tigers through the middle and up front.
A workhorse who can dominate the contest and impact the scoreboard, the former North Adelaide man has four goals and four best player mentions in his seven games so far this season.
18. BRAD THOMPSON
(Coorong)
A superstar for Meningie last season, Thompson has been a standout for the newly-formed Coorong Cats in season 2023.
Tough in the contest and an excellent user, Thompson is a valuable player around the ground and has kicked six goals in his six games so far this season.
17. DANIEL PERKS
(Tailem Bend)
Perks has often flown under the radar throughout his time in the River Murray FL, but the Tailem Bend gun has been at his best in 2023.
The Eagles star can do it all, whether it’s plugging in for the defence, inserting himself in the contest or pushing up to boot goals, and has five best player nods and four majors to his name in seven games.
16. LACHLAN THOMAS
(Jervois)
One of the most promising young players in the RMFL, Thomas marked a major signing for Jervois after impressing at Tailem Bend.
Typically at his best as a midfielder or wing, Thomas can also move into a half-forward role if needed.
A quick player with excellent skills and a high footy IQ, he has 14 goals and three best player mentions in his seven games.
15. PETER ZARANTONELLO
(Jervois)
A consistent contributor for Jervois throughout his time at the club, Zarantonello has started the 2023 season in elite form.
A gun mid/forward, Zarantonello is strong overhead and applies consistent tackle pressure in the contest.
Has 12 goals and four best player nods in seven games.
14. JOHNNY BORAS
(Imperials)
The former North Adelaide marksman has again been a standout forward in the competition this season, sitting level in goals with fellow league-leader Ben Hansen.
An elite set-shot and one of the state’s most prolific full forwards, Boras has 26 goals in seven games so far.
13. RILEY ROBINSON
(Mypolonga)
A star midfielder and halfback, Robinson has put together a starring season for Mypolonga so far in 2023.
Robinson is a speedy player who contests well in the air and at ground level, and can kill teams with ball in hand, delivering efficiently with his penetrating boot.
Has five best player nods in seven games.
12. CLINT DIMENT
(Imperials)
An extremely clean and consistent performer for Imperials, Diment has been an RMFL standout as a dominant midfielder.
A reliable performer who can win the footy and hit the scoreboard when needed, Diment has five best player nods and six goals so far in 2023.
11. RORY O’DRISCOLL
(Southern Mallee)
A star for Pinnaroo in the Mallee FL last season, O’Driscoll has been a standout for the Southern Mallee Suns in 2023.
O’Driscoll is a versatile player who has dominated in a number of roles but does his best work through the middle while also moving forward to hit the scoreboard.
Has seven best player mentions in his seven games and has also kicked eight goals.
10. AIDAN COAKLEY
(Tailem Bend)
One of the competition’s star recruits in the pre-season, the former Christies Beach captain has led by example for Tailem Bend so far in 2023.
A hard-running midfielder who always finds plenty of the footy win or lose, Coakley has been the Eagles’ most consistent player.
Has five best player appearances and five goals in his seven games this year.
9. SAM SANDERS
(Coorong)
A strong midfielder who shows grit and determination in the contest, Sanders has the ability to win plenty of ball on the inside while putting his running ability to use on the outside.
Sanders has also been playing a lead-up forward role for the Cats and possesses a strong set of hands.
Has booted 24 goals in seven games so far including an 11-goal display against Rambler.
8. LOUIS DE MICHELE
(Imperials)
The competition’s top ruckman, De Michele has started this season in hot form after a fantastic 2022 campaign.
Extremely mobile for his size and an aerobic beast who never stops running, De Michele feeds his midfielders with ease and reads the play as well as anyone to take big intercept marks.
Has eight best player appearances in his eight games so far.
7. JOSH SMITHSON
(Southern Mallee)
The Adelaide Crows SANFL-listed gun was a huge coup for the Suns in the pre-season and has been a standout so far this season.
The former Karoonda player is a no-fuss ball-winner who racks up countless possessions as a big-bodied midfielder.
Has six best player nods and 10 goals in his seven games this year.
6. ALEX PFEIFFER
(Rambler)
Pfeiffer has been a star in the RMFL for years at Rambler and remains a flexible key position player for his club.
Has the ability to move up front but does his best work behind the ball, picking off opposition attacks and shutting down the opposition’s best forwards.
Pfeiffer has three goals and five best player nods in seven games so far, and has the Roosters contending for finals.
5. TOM KEOUGH
(Southern Mallee)
The former West Adelaide captain and Gold Coast- listed player has been the perfect player to lead the Southern Mallee Suns’ debut season in the RMFL.
The Suns captain is one of the most versatile players in the competition and has the ability to play behind the ball, in the contest or up front.
A strong and explosive player who possesses elite skills, Keough has 21 goals in seven appearances and has been his side’s best on two occasions.
4. HARLEY MONTGOMERY
(Imperial)
A smooth-moving midfielder with the ability to consistently win the ball and break through the contest, Montgomery continues to produce at an elite level for Imperials.
Last year’s Mail Medallist has been one of the keys to his club’s 6-2 start this year, dominating through the middle through his eight performances so far.
He has picked up four best player nods in his eight games.
3. BEN HANSEN
(Jervois)
Hansen has transitioned into the River Murray FL’s top goalkicker so far this season, booting 26 goals in six games to sit level with Imperials’ Johnny Boras.
Playing further back during his time at Tailem Bend, Hansen has been the key target in Jervois’ forwardline this year and has produced in every game he has played.
A strong player in the air and on the ground who is unstoppable one-on-one and possesses elite foot skills, Hansen has three best player nods to go with his 26 goals.
2. JOSH SCOTT
(Jervois)
One of the best forwards in SA country footy, former Glenelg star Josh Scott remains among the top RMFL players this season.
Scott has played a different role up front this season with Ben Hansen emerging as a major goal threat, instead moving up the ground more often to impact the contest and set up Hansen consistently.
Has 13 goals in six games and four best player performances for the Bluds, but may miss time for an extended period after picking up a broken jaw in round six.
1. JACK PENFOLD
(Imperials)
Penfold has been a star for Imperials since joining from Sturt in 2022 and has taken his game to another level so far this season.
The Double Blues gun has a big motor, is strong on the ball and can move forward to hit the scoreboard for the side.
Has 14 goals in his eight games and has been named among Imps’ best six times this season, including in a recent two-goal display from the middle against Jervois.
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