The top 50 SA country women’s footballers of 2023 ranked
SA’s country competitions are packed to the brim with star women’s talent so we’ve ranked the top 50 players of season 2023. See who made the cut.
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South Australia’s country women’s competitions have improved significantly in recent years and a number of leagues have been packed with star talent this season.
Based on this season’s form and with the help of league insiders, we’ve drawn from a number of the state’s regional competitions to rank the top 50 women’s players for 2023.
Players with less than seven appearances for their local club this season were ruled ineligible.
Here is our list from 50 to 1.
50. KAYLA MCINERNEY
(Gawler Central)
McInerney has been a star for Gawler Central this season.
also on Glenelg’s SANFLW development list, McInerney’s ability to win the contested footy and find teammates around the ground or hit the scoreboard makes her one of the best in the Barossa, Light and Gawler FA.
Has 10 best player nods and 12 goals in 13 games.
49. JASMINE ELSWORTHY
(Freeling)
A star for the Redlegs in 2023, Elsworthy continues to emerge as an up and coming star of SA women’s footy.
Elsworthy is a strong player in the contest who wins plenty of the ball and delivers to teammates efficiently with elite hand and foot skills.
Has nine best player nods and five goals in 13 games and also played SA Country Championships.
48. STACEY GEYER
(Berri)
The Riverland FL’s top goalkicker in 2023, Geyer has been a machine up front.
Geyer has the ability to win the ball in the air or at ground level, often clunking multiple deliveries and finishing in front of goal at a high efficiency.
Has six best player nods and 36 majors in 10 games for the Demons.
47. ALICE TENTYE
(North Gambier)
A force up front in the Limestone Coast Womens Football League.
Tentye is a strong and athletic forward who hunts the footy and creates a number of opportunities for herself and her teammates.
Has seven best player nods and 30 goals in 11 games and also played SA Country Championships.
46. FAITH-VIOLET MORGAN
(Renmark)
Morgan has been a standout for the Rovers through season 2023.
A star onballer who runs all day and can also hit the scoreboard, Morgan’s ability to win the ball in the contest and create for her side makes her one of the RFL’s best.
Has six best player nods and four goals in eight games.
45. ASH DYER
(Boston)
The top goalkicker in the Port Lincoln FL, Dyer’s performances have been significant in a premiership season for Boston.
A reliable target up front who can take strong marks and finish with ease in front of the big sticks.
22 goals and six best player nods in 10 games.
44. BREE CHAPMAN
(Port Noarlunga)
A consistent performer for the Cockledivers through a number of years, Chapman has been at her best this season in the SFL.
Chapman is a tireless worker who wins plenty of the footy and sets players up ahead of the ball with efficient distribution.
Has nine best player nods and three goals in 13 games.
43. CHELSEA HELBIG
(Waikerie)
A standout for Waikerie during the club’s unlikely Riverland FL premiership in 2023.
Helbig has been one of the Magpies’ most improved players in recent years, battling hard in the contest and racking up high disposals each week.
Has nine best player appearances in 10 games including the grand final against Berri.
42. ANGELIQUE DEAN
(Christies Beach)
Christies Beach’s top player in 2023, Dean has been huge as her club aims for a flag this season.
A workhorse through the middle who always provides a secure option on the ball, Dean consistently finds teammates with efficient disposal.
Has nine best player nods and seven goals in 12 games.
41. AKEIRA-JULIET WHICHELLO
(Willaston)
One of Willaston’s most impressive players this season.
Whichello is an emerging young star in the Barossa, Light and Gawler FA, dominating in the contest with her strong attack on the footy and consistently hitting the scoreboard.
Has 15 goals and 10 best player appearances in 13 games and played SA Country Championships.
40. BETHANY SIGLEY
(Blackwood)
A versatile player for Blackwood in the HFL.
Sigley can slot in behind the ball as well as through the contest, possessing strong skills overhead and at ground level.
The West Adelaide SANFLW development player has seven best player nods and three goals in 15 games and also played SA Country Championships.
39. KAYLA MUDGE
(Barmera Monash)
A tough and hardworking player in the contest, Mudge has been a star for Barmera Monash this season.
Also listed with Central District, Mudge is a reliable user of the footy and can also impact the game in the air with strong grabs.
Has six best player nods and two goals in eight games and also played SA Country Championships.
38. ANNABELLE PATTI
(Onkaparinga Valley)
A superstar for the Bulldogs in 2023, Patti has been a dominant player around the ground.
Possessing clean skills off of the deck and in disposal of the footy, Patti’s ability to find teammates while under pressure makes her a standout in the HFL.
Has 12 best player nods and eight goals in 14 games.
37. HAYLEY HENKE
(Barossa District)
An emerging star for Barossa District.
Henke is a strong and athletic player who can perform in the contest and also produce top drawer footy up front, taking impressive marks and finishing in front of goal.
Has 10 best player mentions and 20 goals in 14 for her club and played SA Country Championships.
36. JESSIE SANDFORD
(Willaston)
19-year-old Sandford has produced one of her best seasons yet for Willaston in the Barossa, Light and Gawler FA.
Also a Central District development player, Sandford can fill a number of roles and attacks the footy relentlessly to win possessions and find her teammates around the ground.
Has eight best player nods and eight goals in 13 games and also played SA Country Championships.
35. DARIAN GREEN
(Mt Lofty)
One of the Devils’ top players in 2023.
Providing plenty of energy in and around the contest and always using the ball under pressure, Green has been one of the HFL’s most damaging players.
Has 10 best player nods and five goals in 16 games.
34. KIRRA TONKIN
(Barossa District)
Tonkin’s presence on the ball has been important during a strong year for Barossa District.
The emerging teenage star is at her best in the contest, finding the footy consistently and emerging from congestion to service her teammates efficiently while also hitting the scoreboard.
Has 11 best player nods and 10 goals in 14 games and also played SA Country Championships.
33. ARABELLA PROWSE
(Onkaparinga Valley)
A standout ruck in the HFL.
Prowse is known for her tapping ability to set up her teammates, as well as her follow-up work, often acting as a fourth midfielder for the Bulldogs.
Has 12 best player mentions and six goals in 15 games and also played in the SA Country Championships.
32. DESERAE PETERSEN
(Blackwood)
A standout in this season’s Country Championships, Blackwood’s Petersen has been at her best in the Hills FL.
A hard worker around the ground who often creates space with the ball and opens up play for her side.
Has eight best player nods and four goals in 13 games for her side.
31. GEORGIA WEATHERSPOON
(Yankalilla/Encounter Bay)
A tireless worker through the middle, Weatherspoon has been a star for the Stingrays in 2023.
Weatherspoon runs all day and is hard in the contest, winning plenty of her own footy and damaging the opposition with her accurate disposal by foot.
Has 12 best player nods and four goals in 15 games and was named in the team of the SA Country Championships.
30. CHLOE MEYERS
(Flagstaff Hill)
A top player in the SFL this season and an SA Country Championships representative.
Meyers has been a star through the middle for Flagstaff Hill, with her ability to find space with the ball and also create for teammates up front consistently damaging opposition.
Has 12 best player nods and six goals in 15 games.
29. ZOE HAWKER
(Mundulla)
A slick and skilled player on the ball, Hawker has been a standout in the South East this season.
Always providing an option for defenders and forwards, Hawker is one of her side’s most reliable players, often finding teammates with pinpoint accuracy under pressure.
Has 10 goals and six best player nods in 10 games and was named in the team of the SA Country Championships.
28. ELY HAYLOCK
(Blackwood)
Blackwood’s best player in what could be a premiership season for the club.
The former South Adelaide SANFLW premiership player is a hard runner who racks up disposals and gains important metres for her side.
Has 13 best player nods and six goals in 16 games and was also an SA Country Championships player.
27. LAUREN TAYLOR
(Mt Barker)
As consistent as they come through the middle of the park, Taylor has been a major part of Mt Barker’s season.
Relentless in the contest and an efficient user, Taylor always makes the correct decisions under pressure and can also push up the ground to hit the scoreboard.
Has 14 best player nods and 11 goals in 15 games.
26. EMMA FITZPATRICK
(Willunga)
One of the standout rucks in SA country women’s footy.
Fitzpatrick’s work to give her midfielders first use has been huge for the Demons and her ability to take big marks, kick goals and use the ball efficiently around the ground makes her a force.
Has four best player nods and 11 goals in 14 games.
25. JAIMI GRIFFEN
(Yankalilla/Encounter Bay)
A consistent contributor in South Adelaide’s SANFLW development side, Griffen has been one of Yankalilla/Encounter Bay’s best in the GSFL.
A star defender who can lock down any forward in the air or at ground level, Griffen boasts elite skills and uses the ball well out of the backline.
Has 12 best player nods through 12 games for the Stingrays.
24. SKYE KARTINYERI-SUMNER
(Victor Harbor)
Kartinyeri-Sumner has been a star for Victor Harbor through a number of years and has produced another standout season.
A skilled player through the middle, her ability to win the footy and deal to teammates cleanly and efficiently makes her hard to stop.
Has five best player nods in nine games for Victor Harbor and was named in the team of the SA Country Championships.
23. BROOKE MOORE
(Wayback)
A standout on the ball and across the forwardline for Wayback this season.
Moore is a skilled and athletic player who can take the game by the scruff of the neck with her ability to win the ball in the contest and deal to teammates or hit the scoreboard.
Has 20 goals and eight best player nods in 11 games and also played SA Country Championships.
22. LARISSA SCHENSCHER
(Onkaparinga Valley)
A reliable defensive player who can also push up the ground, Schenscher has been a star for Onkaparinga Valley in the Hills FL.
The Sturt SANFLW development player is a force in the air and consistently finds teammates with reliable disposal under pressure.
Has three goals and three best player nods in 14 games for the Bulldogs and was named in the team of the SA Country Championships.
21. EMILY BROCKHURST
(Flagstaff Hill)
Brockhurst has been at her best for Flagstaff Hill in 2023.
The former South Adelaide SANFLW League player has dominated up front in the Southern FL, taking big grabs and finishing in front of goal with ease, while also creating opportunities for her teammates.
Has 51 goals and 11 best player nods in 12 games.
20. REBECCA BRADING
(Freeling)
A star up front for the Redlegs in the BLGFA.
Brading’s ability to cut the opposition up with smart leads and elite disposal by foot while also remaining a reliable set-shot makes her one of the hardest forwards to stop in country footy.
Has 34 goals and seven best player performances in 11 games.
19. AAJIAH JERICHO
(Mt Lofty)
A standout rover for Mt Lofty, Jericho has been at her best for the Devils in 2023.
Provides hard running through four quarters each week and does plenty of the dirty work for her side, winning the footy in the contest and finding teammates efficiently.
Has 10 best player nods and five goals in 17 games.
18. ERIN HORSNELL
(Mundulla)
A superstar onballer who can also play up front and boot bags of goals, Horsnell has been a weapon for Mundulla this season.
A consistent threat in the air and at ground level, Horsnell can damage the opposition with smart leads and disposal, either setting up teammates or kicking goals herself.
Has 28 majors and seven best player nods in 10 games and was named in the team of the SA Country Championships.
17. KATRICE TURNER
(Willunga)
A consistent player for Willunga in a premiership year for the club, Turner has been one of the best in SA country women’s footy in 2023.
Also a North Adelaide SANFLW development player, Turner is a tough player for the Demons who battles hard through the middle and can also impact the game up front or behind the ball.
Has six best player nods and three goals in 12 games for her side and was named in the team of the SA Country Championships.
16. MEGAN WEETRA
(Noarlunga)
An emerging superstar of women’s footy in SA, Weetra has been a force in the SFL since joining Noarlunga from Port Noarlunga.
At just 16 years old Weetra is the vice-captain of the Shoes’ side and stars as a clean and smooth moving rover who consistently wins the footy and explodes from the contest to set up her teammates with ease.
Has 13 best player nods and two goals in 15 games.
15. MARDI MASSON
(Marble Range)
The joint winner of the player of the SA Country Championships, Masson has emerged as a budding star for Marble Range in the Port Lincoln FL.
Masson is a reliable player across the backline who can cut off a number of attacks and provide valuable run and use along the flanks.
Was in the EP’s best in each Country Championships game and a consistent performer for Marble Range throughout the season.
14. KIAHNI RUSSELL
(McLaren)
The GSFL’s leading goalkicker in 2023, Russell has had a standout year for McLaren.
A reliable target up front who can also move around the ground and impact with her aerial ability and precision by foot.
Has 28 goals and four best player nods in 15 games and was named in the team of the SA Country Championships.
13. EMMA KEYS
(Gawler Central)
A superstar leader for her club, Keys has been dominant for the Tigers and was also a top performer in the SA Country Championships.
Relentless in the contest and a skilled player across the forwardline, Keys battles hard through four quarters to win possession for her side and can also boot multiple majors with a keen eye for goal.
Has 25 majors and five best player nods in 10 games and was named in the team of the SA Country Championships.
12. KIRSTIN REMFREY
(Willunga)
Willunga’s standout player through season 2023, Remfrey continually rose to the occasion for her side after arriving from the NT.
An exciting onballer who can take over a game with her work in the contest and ability to provide important run and carry for the Demons, Remfrey was a standout in the club’s run to a flag this year.
Nine best player nods and three goals in 14 games.
11. AINSLEE KNIGHT
(Onkaparinga Valley)
Despite a relatively quiet finals series up front, Knight remains one of the top performers in country women’s footy this year.
A strong target forward who is clean off of the deck and can finish from anywhere, Knight has been the most prolific goalkicker in SA’s regional competitions this season, booting 57 majors in 15 games.
Has five best player nods in 15 games and also represented Eastern District in the SA Country Championships.
10. RENEE MOON
(Goolwa/Pt Elliot)
Magpies star Moon was named coaches player of the year after a standout 2023 for her club.
The former South Adelaide SANFLW League player is relentless in the contest and has no issue doing the dirty work for her side, winning plenty of the contested footy and finding teammates with pinpoint accuracy.
Has 11 best player nods and seven goals in 14 games.
9. ELLIE WARD
(Barossa District)
A rising young star in SA country women’s footy, Ward has produced a stellar 2023 campaign for Barossa District.
An athletic and versatile player who can dominate across the half forwardline or slot in through the middle, the 17-year-old has the ability to win the ball in the contest and find teammates or finish for goal under pressure.
Has 11 best player appearances and 12 goals in 14 games for the Bulldogs and was named in the team of the SA Country Championships.
8. LAYLA ROGERS
(McLaren)
Joint winner of this season’s Great Southern FL A Grade best and fairest, Rogers has put together a strong campaign for McLaren.
A tireless worker in the contest who wins plenty of the footy and either deals to teammates with accuracy or hits the scoreboard herself.
Has 11 best player mentions and 12 goals in 15 games for the Eagles.
7. BRIANNA BURT
(Mt Barker)
Burt has been a dominant player in SA country women’s footy for a number of years and 2023 has been no different.
A star midfielder for Mt Barker who can slot in up front and in a number of other roles if needed, Burt boasts impressive athleticism and can impact the game in the air or at ground level.
Has seven best player nods and nine goals in 14 games for the Roos and was named in the team of the SA Country Championships.
6. ELIZABETH WILSON
(Willaston)
Named player of the SA Country Championships with Mardi Masson, Wilson has had a fantastic year in country footy.
An athletic and skilled player who can rip a game apart up front, Wilson’s ability to take strong marks or win the contested footy and either set her teammates up with elite disposal or finish for herself makes her a standout for the Donnybrooks.
Has 41 goals and nine best player nods in 13 games.
5. JEMMA ELLIS
(Yankalilla/Encounter Bay)
A star in the ruck who can have an impact around the ground, Ellis has been at her best in season 2023.
The South Adelaide SANFLW League player sets her midfielders up seamlessly with consistent work in the contest and also boasts impressive foot skills.
Tallied 12 best player nods in 14 games for her GSFL club and took out the joint A Grade league best and fairest with Layla Rogers.
4. NIKITA MCROSTIE
(Willaston)
With a standout season for Willaston as well as six SANFLW League appearances for Woodville-West Torrens under her belt, McRostie has had a sensational 2023.
A versatile star who can have an impact as a ruck as well as up the ground or behind the ball, McRostie boasts impressive hand and foot skills and has been among her side’s best in nearly every appearance this year.
Has seven best player nods and six goals in nine games for Willaston.
3. CASIE COOMBE
(Uraidla Districts)
A star leader who can play a number of roles around the ground, Coombe has been dominant yet again in 2023.
The Uraidla Districts and Glenelg SANFLW gun brings a tough approach to the game, attacking the footy relentlessly in the contest and also moving up the ground to hit the scoreboard regularly.
Has 10 best player nods and 15 goals in 13 games for the Demons and was also selected in the team of the SA Country Championships.
2. ELLA MICKAN
(Freeling)
A superstar for Freeling and former SANFLW League player for Central District, Mickan remains a top talent in SA women’s footy.
Captain of this season’s Central SA Country Championships team, Mickan is a hardworking midfielder and who can also play behind the ball.
She covers ground as well as anyone while distributing to teammates at a high efficiency.
Has five best player nods and four goals in eight games for the Redlegs and was also named in the team of the SA Country Championships this year after captaining her zone to the title.
1. SHANNON MURPHY
(Gawler Central)
Captain of Gawler Central, Murphy has been dominant for her club since returning after a stellar season for Central District at SANFLW League level.
Murphy can be a weapon in a number of roles across the ground, winning the ball through her relentless attack in the contest and damaging opposition with brilliant delivery by foot.
Has four best player nods and two goals in seven games for the Tigers and will be important in this weekend’s grand final against Willaston.
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