Top 25 Hills FL Country Division players of the 21st Century ranked
The Hills Football League’s Country Division has been stacked with top talent so we’ve ranked the best of the best. See our top 25 players of the past 25 years.
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The Hills Football League’s Country Division has been stacked with top talent for decades.
With the help of league insiders, we’ve ranked our top 25 players of the past 25 years with season 2025 just around the corner.
Footballing ability, achievements, awards and impact were taken into account when making selections.
Here is our list from 25 to 1.
25. TIM CURNOW
(Echunga)
A superstar through the 90s, Curnow also produced some brilliant footy in the early 2000s.
One of the competition’s most skilled players at his best, Curnow was known for slick hand delivery and precise disposal by foot.
Won the 1992 Mail Medal before remarkably claiming another in 2003.
24. JOCK MCLEAY
(Birdwood)
A dominant forward for Birdwood before moving to D1 club SPOC in the AdFL, McLeay cemented himself as one of the century’s best in the HFL Country Div.
One of the strongest and most powerful players in the competition, McLeay could take a number of big marks each week, kick important goals and deliver to teammates with precision.
Captained the Roosters and was a club champion.
23. SHANE RUSSELL
(Milang, Ironbank)
A dominant player for Milang before joining Ironbank, Russell won multiple Mail Medals in the HFL.
Could take control of a game around the contest with his ability to win contested possessions, find teammates and kick goals.
Won the medal in 2000 with Milang and the D1 medal with Ironbank in 2004.
22. BEN GUNNING
(Torrens Valley)
One of Torrens Valley’s multiple Mail Medallists int he 21st Century.
A versatile and relentless player in the contest who won plenty o the footy each week and released teammates with damaging disposal.
Claimed the Mail Medal in 2010 and was part of three flags.
21. REECE JOLLY
(Macclesfield)
A longtime superstar for Macclesfield.
Arriving at the club after time with Edwardstown, Jolly instantly became a spiritual leader for the Blood and Tars as a versatile player who could have an impact across the forwardline or do damage around the ground with his ability to win the contested footy and find teammates.
Was a club champion and among the competition’s best each season.
20. ADAM HOULAHAN
(Bridgewater-Callington)
A champion for Bridgewater-Callington from the start of his debut senior season in 2014, Houlahan was integral to the Raiders’ Country Div success through the 2010s.
A tough midfielder who could play a number of other roles if needed, he often dominated with his ability to win the footy, boot goals and set up teammates.
Won the 2018 Mail Medal and was key to his side’s 2016 premiership win.
19. QUINTON GRAHAM
(Gumeracha)
A star goalkicker and premiership player with Central District, Graham was dominant for Gumeracha in the Hills FL.
Graham could dominate opposition with his strength, athleticism, marking and ability to bag goals from anywhere.
Once kicked 40 goals in one game against United Eagles, an SA Country footy record.
18. NATHAN MCDOWELL
(Torrens Valley)
Mail Medallist alongside teammate Ben Gunning in 2010, a premiership season for Torrens Valley, McDowell was one of his club’s major standouts through the 2000s.
Always an option in the contest, McDowell’s ability to find the footy, burn opponents and deliver to teammates with poise made him one of the league’s best.
Was part of three Torrens Valley flags.
17. JEREMY JAQUES
(Torrens Valley)
A star for Torrens Valley, Jaques was one of the Country Division’s most consistent players.
The former Port Adelaide and West Adelaide SANFL man could do it all from winning his own footy to taking strong marks, providing run and carry and delivering efficiently.
A club champion who helped his side to multiple premierships.
16. LACHLAN PETER
(Kersbrook)
The former Norwood and West Adelaide prospect has been a force since returning to Kersbrook.
One of the competition’s most skilled players in recent seasons, Peter racks up disposals for fun, boots bags of goals when needed and also damages with his use.
Won the 2019 Mail Medal for Kersbrook and was a key part of the 2021 premiership.
15. TRENT THORPE
(Kangarilla)
A 300-game player for Kangarilla, Thorpe has been one of the top names in the Country Division this century.
Was a tireless worker around the ground at his peak for the Double Blues who racked up disposals and damaged on the scoreboard or with his delivery.
Won the 2006 Mail Medal and helped his side to a flag in the same season.
14. MICHAEL CARTER
(Torrens Valley)
A highly revered player in the Country Division.
Carter boasted an intimidating presence in the contest and could take over a game a number of ways for Torrens Valley with his varied skill set with and without possession.
A multiple club best and fairest and played a big part in his club’s premierships.
13. KANE PAUES
(Kersbrook)
One of the competition’s top players in the 90s, Paues was also a feared opponent in the 2000s.
A workhorse around the ground who did what was needed to win, Paues had a varied skill set and often won important possessions and laid big tackles for the Blues.
Won the 2001 Mail Medal after winning in 1996 and 1999 and was part of five premierships with Kersbrook.
12. MATT GARDNER
(Kersbrook)
Kersbrook’s captain, Gardner has been a force in the competition for over a decade.
A versatile utility who always makes his teammates better, Gardner leads by voice and example with his ability to take big marks and produce important plays.
Has been a part of five premierships with the Brookers and is a club champion.
11. JACKSON HOOPER
(Bridgewater-Callington)
A dominant midfielder during his time with he Raiders, Hooper has undoubtedly been one of the top Country Division players this century.
An explosive and athletic player who finds plenty of the footy each week, boots goals and creates for teammates.
Won a 2021 Mail Medal and was also the standout player for his club in its successful 2016 premiership campaign.
10. CHAD DAWE
(Meadows)
One of the competition’s great forwards, Dawe helped Meadows to one of its most successful periods and has been a stalwart since.
A strong and smart player with impressive athleticism, Dawe could dominate games with his marking and goalkicking ability as well as his link-up play.
Won flags in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and also booted 119 goals in 2010.
9. BRADY DAWE
(Meadows)
The Norwood premiership ruck has only spent a few seasons with the Bulldogs since returning from the Redlegs but has undoubtedly been one of the most talented players in the competition in recent years.
A star utility who can dominate in the ruck or move up front to take big marks and kick important goals, the Meadows playing-coach has spearheaded the club’s recent period of flag contention.
Won the 2008 best and fairest before joining the Redlegs and has been arguably the competition’s top player since returning.
8. PAUL JAMES
(Kersbrook)
A dominant force through the midfield in the Hills FL, James was part of a strong period of success for Kersbrook alongside brothers Brett and Roger.
Covered ground as well as anyone in the competition and won plenty of his own footy through his courageous approach to the contest before delivering to teammates with ease.
Won the 2009 Mail Medal and was part of five premierships with the Brookers.
7. RYAN MCGAHEY
(Birdwood, Nairne Bremer)
A dual Mail Medallist in the Country Division, former North Adelaide player McGahey forged a great career with Birdwood and Nairne Bremer.
McGahey was a strong and assured player in the contest who had no problem doing the dirty work for his side and was classy in disposal.
Won the 2011 medal for Birdwood and 2016 medal for Nairne Bremer and was a premiership player with the Rams.
6. BRAD PEARCE
(Kersbrook)
One of Kersbrook’s top players this century.
Pearce was a versatile weapon for the Brookers who could impact the game in a number of ways whether it was his ability to win the ball, take strong marks or create for teammates.
Won the 2007 and 2008 Mail Medals and won five premierships with the club in 2008, 2009, 2012, 2015 and 2021.
5. BEN HANNA
(Gumeracha)
Also representing Mt Barker and Torrens Valley in the Central Division, Hanna has been a force for Gumeracha in the Country Division this century.
A dominant ball-winner who can take over a game through the middle with his ability to find the footy and deliver to teammates efficiently.
Won the 2017 Mail Medal with the Magpies and has helped his side to four premierships.
4. MICHAEL DANIELE
(Birdwood, Macclesfield)
A dominant player around the ground for both Birdwood and Macclesfield, Daniele boasts one of the top Country Division resumes.
Daniele was a highly skilled player who could win plenty of his own footy in the contest and create for teammates with crafty disposal.
Won three Mail Medals in 2005 (Birdwood), 2009 and 2013 (Macclesfield).
3. ROGER JAMES
(Kersbrook)
James only played 48 games with home club Kersbrook after returning from Norwood and the Power, but had a huge impact as one of the most skilled players in Hills FL history.
Quick off the mark and a powerful runner with great overhead ability and a reliable goal sense, James booted 246 goals in 48 games for the Blues.
Played an integral role in two flags during his time at the club.
2. SAM HANNA
(Gumeracha)
A recent superstar of the competition, Hanna is on his way to becoming arguably the top payer in Country Division history.
Joining Gumeracha after time with Central District, Hanna is a versatile, big-bodied player who can fill a number of roles with his ability to win the ball, find teammates and also kick goals.
Won three consecutive Mail Medals from 2021-2023 and has helped Gumeracha to three consecutive premierships from 2022-2024.
1. BRETT JAMES
(Kersbrook)
Returning to junior club Kersbrook after careers with Collingwood, the Crows and Norwood, James starred for the Blues for a number of years.
An athletic, quick and highly skilled midfield/forward utility who could finish with the best of them, James could take a game by the scruff of the neck in the contest or dominate up front.
James was a star playing-coach of Kersbrook and during his tenure the club reached 15 consecutive finals series, made eight grand finals and won five premierships, including a flag win during the club’s centenary in 2021.
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