The top 40 Spencer Gulf footballers of 2023 ranked
The Spencer Gulf is home to some of SA’s best local footballers so we’ve drawn from the region’s two leagues and ranked the top 40 players of 2023. See who made the cut.
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The Spencer Gulf is a region filled with top SA country footy talent and season 2023 has been no exception.
Based on this season’s form and through consultation with league coaches and insiders, we’ve combined the best players from the Spencer Gulf Football League and Whyalla Football League to rank the region’s top 40 footballers of 2023.
Here are our rankings from no. 40 to 1.
40. BEN COFFEY
(Solomontown)
A reliable mid who can drift forward or create across halfback, Coffey has put together a strong 2023 season so far.
Coffey is creative with ball in hand and often pops up for an important goal, with four majors and two best player nods in seven games for the Cats so far this year.
39. SCOTT COLLISON
(Central Whyalla)
The top goalkicker in the Whyalla FL, Collison has been an important player for Central Whyalla this year.
A strong target capable of taking big marks and a consistent set-shot kicker, Collison has 20 goals in seven games so far this year to go with three best player nods.
38. COHEN MATTNER
(Port)
The second highest goalkicker in the SGFL this season behind Corey Davey, Mattner remains one of the best targets in the competition.
Strong in the air and at ground level, Mattner is reliable inside forward 50 and always finds space to hit the scoreboard.
Has 22 goals in eight games so far.
37. LAWSON COLLINS
(Port)
An emerging midfielder who remains one of Port’s best, Collins always accumulates plenty of the footy and is a smooth user when in possession.
Collins has played up front for his side in the past but has played a more midfield/defensive role this year and has been just as effective.
Has two best player performances so far.
36. MATT WOOLFORD
(Central Whyalla)
Woolford’s poise and decision-making makes him one of the standouts for Central Whyalla.
The talented mid has the ability to push up the ground and kick goals, his tireless work often paying off for the Roosters.
Has two best player nods and three goals for his club so far this year and also played interleague.
35. JAMES WARD
(Weeroona Bay)
Ward has been a valuable asset for Weeroona Bay after time with Woodville South in the Adelaide Footy League.
A consistent player who can play either in the contest or at the back, Ward has been one of his side’s best in four of his five appearances.
Should be a key for Weeroona Bay as it looks to turn its season around.
34. DAMIEN COYNE
(West Whyalla)
A consistent weapon for West Whyalla, Coyne has been near his best since returning to the club from North Whyalla.
A strong midfielder who is tough and explosive on the ball, Coyne has been a mainstay in the WFL’s teams of the year and is on his way again in 2023.
Has four best player nods and five goals in six games.
33. CAMERON TIGGEMANN
(South Augusta)
Tiggemann has been a force through the middle and can also rotate forward to boot goals for the Bulldogs.
The South Augusta star is always hard at the contest and a smart user in possession.
Has four best player appearances so far this season to go with four goals in seven games.
32. NICK SANDERS
(North Whyalla)
North Whyalla’s captain has been close to his best so far this season and has led by example through a challenging year for the club.
Strong in the contest and an excellent user, Sanders has a big tank and competes non-stop each week.
Has four goals and three best player appearances in his seven games so far.
31. KANE GRUND
(Roopena)
A reliable star through the middle for Roopena over a number of years, Grund is putting together another strong campaign.
A dynamic player who can lead the team in the contest or move up front and create inside 50, Grund has six goals in seven games and two best player nods.
Was also a standout in the WFL’s interleague game this year.
30. MACORHIN ROSALIA
(Central Whyalla)
A star player for Central Whyalla who can play multiple positions, Rosalia has become an irreplaceable utility for his side.
Rosalia has the ability to dominate on the ball and can also move back to provide security and a cool head in possession.
Has six best player nods in his seven games.
29. ED FAULKNER
(Port)
A gun midfielder for Port this season, Faulkner has emerged as one of the standout players in the SGFL.
Faulkner battles hard in the middle and wins his fair share of contested footy, and is also one of his side’s best users of the ball.
Has four best player nods and two goals in eight games.
28. SCOTT CLARK
(South Whyalla)
An impressive midfielder/forward for South Whyalla, Clark has been one of the positives for his club during a challenging season so far.
Clark is a skilled player on the ball who can create for his teammates with slick disposal or finish in front of goal himself.
Has eight goals and four best player nods in seven games and was a standout for the Whyalla FL in interleague.
27. TOM FAULKNER
(Port)
A dominant big man who can perform in the ruck, at the back, or move up to have an impact in the forwardline, Faulkner is one of Port’s most important players.
Faulkner has clean hands and can take big marks around the ground, and is also impressive by foot.
Has five best player nods and two goals in eight games so far in 2023.
26. AIDAN JACOBS
(Proprietary/Risdon)
A strong and consistent forward for the Lions, Jacobs has booted 18 goals so far this season as a key cog in his side’s forwardline.
A strong forward who can take solid grabs out in front and finish from anywhere, Jacobs has also been among his team’s best on three occasions in his eight games.
25. JORDAN SERLE
(Proprietary/Risdon)
A key signing for Lions this season, Serle has injected class and courage into the midfield for his new club.
A big-bodied player who is strong on the ball and lays multiple tackles each week, Serle is a reliable target in the air and a brilliant user of the footy.
Has four best player nods and two goals in seven games.
24. HARRISON MAITLAND
(West Whyalla)
West Whyalla’s vice-captain has 100 games under his belt and looks to be putting together one of his best seasons yet in 2023.
A gut-running winger who racks up disposals and kills opposition sides with accurate disposal by both foot and hand.
Can also move up the ground to hit the scoreboard with five goals to go with his four best player nods in seven games so far.
23. CLAY CROMPTON
(Roopena)
Crompton has played brilliantly this season as a reliable forward who can finish on either side of his body or create for his teammates inside 50.
Is a clean player who can boot goals from anywhere and also has a strong pair of hands.
Has four best player nods and 18 goals in seven games this year and was also one of the Whyalla FL’s standouts against the SGFL in this year’s interleague contest.
22. JACK FRASER
(West Augusta)
A vastly improved player so far in season 2023, Jack Fraser has produced at a high level for West Augusta through the middle and at the back.
Fraser is one of the most competitive players in the SGFL and has performed against every side in the competition, damaging with his ability to win contests and his reliable disposal.
Has six best player mentions in eight games so far.
21. MYLES MCNAMARA
(West Whyalla)
McNamara’s performance in the middle for the Dragons has made him a top player in the Spencer Gulf again this season.
A skilled and speedy player who is composed under pressure and can distribute in any way, he can also move up front and finish with class in front of goal if needed.
Has three best player performances and three goals in seven games.
20. COOPER PROMNITZ
(Proprietary/Risdon)
One of the most promising young stars in the Spencer Gulf, Promnitz has been a major part of Proprietary/Risdon’s success so far this year.
A great distributor of the footy, Promnitz is an agile player who brings a reliable field kick to the side and makes quick decisions.
Has five best player nods and two goals in eight games.
19. LUKE PATTERSON
(Proprietary/Risdon)
Patterson has been outstanding for the Lions yet again along the wing and in the contest.
Fast and explosive with ball in hand, Patterson damages opposition sides with penetrating disposal by foot and is also craft by hand.
Has five best player appearances and two goals so far in eight games.
18. DARCY KILDEA
(South Augusta)
The dual Mail Medallist remains a constant threat through the middle for South Augusta and remains one of Spencer Gulf’s best in 2023.
A relentless player in the contest who applies elite tackle pressure and is damaging with ball in hand, the Bulldogs captain is one of the best leaders in the competition.
Has four goals and four best player nods in his eight games so far.
17. ELLIOTT MCNAMARA
(West Whyalla)
A dangerous and exciting forward for West Whyalla, McNamara possesses great skills in the air and at ground level.
One of the cleanest players in the Whyalla FL, the Dragons gun has the ability to finish from anywhere inside the 50 and can also set-up players with crafty goal assists.
Is also adept at moving up the great to provide a marking target with a reliable field kick and has three best player nods and 10 goals so far this season.
16. CHARLIE RYAN
(West Augusta)
Ryan plays his best footy across the middle and has produced at a high level yet again for West Augusta this season.
The Hawks star barely ever puts a foot wrong and is a reliable option for teammates for four quarters each week with pinpoint passing and the ability to create inside 50.
Has seven best player nods and two goals in his seven games so far this season.
15. CALEB WILLIAMS
(Central Augusta)
A standout in the contest and behind the ball, Williams has picked up where he left off last season.
One of Central Augusta’s most reliable players and a hard worker through the middle, Williams is a clean user and a calming influence in possession.
Has five best player mentions in five games so far.
14. LUKE KARSSEN
(Roopena)
One of Roopena’s most impactful players so far this season, Karssen has been a consistent contributor in the contest.
A workhorse who can win his own footy and find teammates in space or shut opposition down with reliable aerial work or relentless tackle pressure.
Karssen has five best player nods in his seven games this year.
13. SAM VENNING
(North Whyalla)
Venning has been at his best for North Whyalla since returning after a season with Glenunga in the Adelaide Footy League.
A versatile player who can play in the contest or behind the ball, Venning has provided a tough presence for the Magpies with his aerial and ground ball ability and reliable decision making.
Has five best player mentions and eight goals in five games.
12. MAX ZBIERSKI
(Weeroona Bay)
Zbierski has the ability to play a number of roles around the ground for Weeroona Bay and has been one of his side’s most valuable players in 2023.
An excellent user of the footy with a big tank who can cut off opposition with intercept marks and damage with disposal by foot.
Zbierski can also move up the ground and impact the scoreboard.
Has two goals and seven best player mentions in seven games.
11. CALEB RITTER
(South Augusta)
Ritter has been a star in the Spencer Gulf FL this season despite South Augusta’s rough start, performing on and behind the ball so far.
One of the best distributors in the competition, Ritter damages opposition with his disposal and has no issue making contests in the air or at ground level.
Has eight best player nods and three goals in eight games.
10. JONATHON HAYES
(Solomontown)
An exceptional leader of Solomontown, Hayes is in the midst of another standout season for the Cats after a strong 2022 campaign.
The strong and talented onballer is relentless in the contest and classy with ball in hand, always making the correct decisions.
Has six best player appearances and three goals in seven games.
9. DARCY PUDDY
(Port)
Puddy has had a fantastic start to the 2023 season, playing a significant role in Port’s finals push so far.
A hard worker who always creates space with ball in hand through the middle, Puddy can hit teammates with pinpoint disposal by foot or with creative handballs.
Has five best player nods and three goals in his eight games so far.
8. RIAN SMOKER
(West Whyalla)
Smoker has been at his best this season as West Whyalla launches a likely grand final push.
One of the most talented players in the WFL, Smoker is an impressive athlete with the ability to win the ball in the contest and hit any teammate by foot or hand.
Can also make his way up front and finish in front of goal with seven goals to go with his six best player mentions in seven games so far.
7. MASON MUNZBERG
(Solomontown)
The premier ruckman in the Spencer Gulf, Munzberg’s brilliant work in the middle has been a major factor in Solomontown’s strong run this year.
The Cats star has no trouble providing his mids with top drawer service and can also have an impact in front of goal and in the air with strong marking ability.
Has five best player appearances and four goals in eight games.
6. TYLER ECKERT
(Proprietary/Risdon)
The Lions champion has been a star so far this year after yet another impressive season in 2022.
A versatile player who can take control of a game in the centre or provide elite run and ball-use off of the backline, Eckert has been a standout in the SGFL for years.
A running machine with high footy IQ, Eckert has seven best player nods in eight games and also has three majors.
5. STEVEN JACKSON
(Weeroona Bay)
Jackson has been at his best yet again this season despite an inconsistent start for his side this Whyalla FL season.
A workhorse through the middle who is as composed and skilled as any on the ball, Jackson’s ability to win the footy and hit any target with either foot is second to none.
Has tallied four best player nods and seven goals in his seven games so far.
4. JACK MUIRHEAD
(Central Augusta)
Central Augusta’s captain remains one of the Spencer Gulf’s top footballers, producing consistently through the middle yet again for the Blood and Tars.
Muirhead leads by example with strong contest work and elite disposal and is one of the best decision-makers in the SGFL.
Has five best player mentions and six goals in his seven games so far.
3. CLAYTON MESECKE
(Roopena)
A superstar through the middle for Roopena who can also move up front to hit the scoreboard, Mesecke has been the standout player in the Whyalla FL for a second year running.
Relentless in the contest, Mesecke has no issues winning his own footy and bursting from congestion to propel his team forward and is also a strong target on the lead.
The reigning WFL Mail Medallist has 12 goals and five best player mentions in seven games.
2. KYLE CROMPTON
(Roopena)
Just ousting his Roopena teammate, Crompton has been a force for the club since his return from a successful tenure with Glenelg during which he won the 2o22 reserves Magarey Medal.
A ball magnet and a clearance machine in the middle, Crompton’s tackle pressure and elite ball use makes him the best player in the Whyalla FL.
Can also move up the ground and boot goals with 10 majors to go with his five best player nods in seven games so far.
1. COREY DAVEY
(Solomontown)
Already a force in the Spencer Gulf Football League, Davey has taken his game to another level in season 2023.
Premiership star for the Cats in a Mail Medal year last season, the big-bodied midfielder has dominated on the ball since his return from the Crows’ SANFL side.
Can play a number of roles across the park, is a fantastic athlete and disposes efficiently by hand or foot.
Davey has eight best player nods in eight games this year and also leads the SGFL goalkicking with 26 – predominantly from the middle – including 10 against West Augusta last Saturday.
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