Top 40 Adelaide Footy League Women’s players of 2023 ranked
The Adelaide Footy League Women’s competition is stacked with major local talent so we’ve ranked the top 40 players for season 2023. See who made the cut.
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The Adelaide Footy League Women’s competition has been packed with major local talent for a number of years, with 2023 arguably the best yet.
Based on this season’s form and with the help of league insiders, we’ve analysed a number of divisions to rank the top 40 players in the competition for season 2023.
Players with less than eight games were ruled ineligible.
Here are our rankings from 40 to 1.
40. GRACE POWELL
(Mitcham)
A hard runner and reliable user off of halfback, Powell has been a standout for Mitcham in division four.
Racks up disposals and a number of intercept possessions off of halfback and damages opposition with accurate disposal along the flanks and her ability to get up the ground to hit the scoreboard.
Has 10 best player nods and seven goals in 13 games.
39. REMY GRANT
(Broadview)
Division one’s top goalkicker this season, Grant has had a fantastic year for the Tigers.
A skilled player above her head and off of the deck, Grant can cut opposition defences up with clever leads and an efficient kick for goal.
Has 25 majors and three best player performances in 14 games.
38. SHAKIRA JARVIS
(Tea Tree Gully)
18-year-old Jarvis has been an impressive performer through a number of years for the Gullies and has continued to develop into a reliable player in the contest.
A tireless worker around the ground who can punish opposition with efficient disposal, Jarvis applies strong pressure and often sets her team up ahead of the ball.
Has six best player nods and a goal in 13 games.
37. TAMSYN NATION
(Payneham Norwood Union)
A promising player on the ball, 17-year-old Nation has emerged as an exciting prospect for Norwood and PNU.
Covers ground well and wins plenty of the footy for the Falcons, often staying composed under pressure and finding teammates with pinpoint accuracy.
Has ix best player nods in 12 games.
36. SANDI GROTH
(Happy Valley)
A standout for Happy Valley despite a challenging year for the club.
Groth has top drawer ability on the ball, winning plenty of contested footy and also giving her forwards consistent looks with quick and efficient disposal.
Has eight best player nods and two goals in 13 games.
35. KAYLA ROBRAN
(Henley)
Daughter of dual Crows premiership player, Robran an emerging young star for Henley and a development player for Norwood in the SANFLW.
Robran is a skilled and creative forward who can also play on the ball for her side, often creating chances for teammates if she isn’t booting goals herself.
Has 20 majors and four best player nods in 14 games.
34. NICOLETTE DUNN
(Morphettville Park)
Dunn has put together another strong season for Morphettville Park in 2023.
A tireless player who provides a reliable option around the ground, Dunn is a skilled player on both sides of her body and has the ability to win the ball and move it on quickly under pressure.
Has three best player performances in her eight games this year.
33. NATALIE MCMAHON
(Adelaide Uni)
A star for Adelaide Uni this season, McMahon has been a standout since arriving at the Blacks from Flinders Uni.
McMahon’s work on the ball and at the back as a reliable outlet has been important for her side this year and she often finds teammates well while under pressure.
Five best player nods and a goal in 11 games.
32. KATE WALSH
(SMOSH West Lakes)
A reliable player since returning from West Adelaide.
Walsh can play a number of roles around the ground for SMOSH West Lakes, whether it’s as a hardworking ruck, on the ball or up front.
Has three best player nods through nine games this year.
31. AMBER HOPKINS
(Pembroke OS)
A skilled player who can produce in a number of roles.
Also listed with Sturt in the SANFLW, Hopkins can play as a tall and efficient target forward who takes strong marks and either finishes or sets up others, but can also play through the middle.
Has eight best player nods and 18 goals through 10 games for Pembroke.
30. INDI BUCKSKIN-JAMES
(SMOSH West Lakes)
A reliable player on and behind the ball for SMOSH West Lakes.
Buckskin-James competes hard in the air and at ground level and her relentless attack on the footy often opens up opportunities for her team.
Has eight best player mentions in 11 games.
29. CHLOE SHORT
(Broadview)
Also a development player with North Adelaide, Short has been a consistent contributor for Broadview this season.
A tough and determined player around the contest, Short has no issue winning contested possessions and gaining important metres for the Tigers.
Has six best player nods through 14 games this year.
28. SAMMY GILCHRIST
(Goodwood)
An integral player to Goodwood’s makeup as it aims for a division two premiership this season.
Gilchrist is a hard runner and a skilled player on or behind the ball, possessing clean skills and often finding teammates well under pressure.
Has 10 best player mentions and a goal in 13 games.
27. JULIA WATSON
(SMOSH West Lakes)
An emerging young star for SMOSH West Lakes.
Watson’s work around the ground has been valuable for her side this season, her smooth hand and foot skills setting her apart from a number of players in division one.
Has eight best player mentions and three goals in 13 games.
26. BROOKE TREVENA
(Morphettville Park)
A strong and hardworking player for the Roos, Trevena has been important for the club in 2023.
Covers ground as well as anyone in division one and can win the footy in the contest before distributing efficiently by hand or foot to her teammates.
Has five best player mentions and two goals in 12 games.
25. ASHLEA CARTER
(Pembroke OS)
Carter has had an exceptional year through the middle for the Queens in 2023.
Also a development player with Sturt, Carter’s ability to win the footy and find teammates around the ground makes her a valuable asset for her side.
Has eight best player nods and four goals in 11 games.
24. DJIMILA TOTHAM
(Payneham Norwood Union)
A promising SANFLW Development League player for North Adelaide, Totham has emerged as a reliable star for Payneham Norwood Union.
Totham is a strong player on the ball who loves attacking the contest and possesses brilliant hand and foot skills in close.
Has six best player nods and three goals in 11 games.
23. MADELYN GRIFFITHS
(Goodwood)
Goodwood leader Griffiths has been a star for the Saints yet again this season.
Relentless in the contest, Griffiths does the dirty work for her side, winning the ball from opposition and delivering to teammates with ease and efficiency.
Has 10 best player nods through her 11 games this year.
22. KIARRA LEOPOLD
(Golden Grove)
Also a SANFLW development player with Norwood, Leopold has been one of Golden Grove’s best in 2023.
A talented onballer who can also move up front to impact the game, Leopold is a clean player off of the deck and boasts exceptional foot skills.
Has six best player nods and seven goals in nine games for the Kookaburras this year.
21. ERINI GIKAS
(Old Ignatians)
A superstar out of the Northern Territory, Gikas has emerged as one of Old Iggies’ top players in 2023.
A hard running ball magnet, Gikas is a reliable user off of either foot and applies strong and relentless tackle pressure to the opposition.
Has nine best player nods and a goal in 11 games for her side.
20. MICHAELA LAPPIN
(SMOSH West Lakes)
A promising prospect in the ruck and around the ground, Lappin has been a valuable player for SMOSH West Lakes this season.
Boasting reliable skills by hand and foot and always making the right decisions under pressure, Lappin has been one of her side’s most consistent contributors this year.
Has six best player performances in 12 games.
19. KAYLEIGH MAY
(Henley)
A star player for her club as it aims to compete for a flag this season.
Also part of Woodville-West Torrens’ SANFLW League side in 2023, May is a hard running midfielder who uses the footy well under pressure and can also find forwards with creative delivery.
Has five best player nods and five goals in 12 games.
18. SARCHA TAYLOR
(Broadview)
One of the competition’s emerging young stars, Taylor could be set for big things in the near future.
Also a breakthrough player for North Adelaide in the SANFLW, Taylor can play as a clean midfielder or have an impact up front where she uses her silky skills to create opportunities for her team or to finish for herself in front of goal.
Has eight goals and four best player nods in eight games for the Tigers.
17. MYKAELA WALKER
(Morphettville Park)
A clever forward who can also slot into the midfield, Walker has starred for Morphettville Park this season.
An athletic player with strong hands and an accurate kick for goal, Walker has provided a consistent option up front and can also create for her teammates.
Has four best player mentions and 14 goals in 11 games.
16. JAZMINE EGAN
(Hectorville)
A talented teenager who has also had a taste of SANFLW League footy for Norwood, Egan has produced a sensational year with the Hounds.
A natural midfielder who is quick around the ball and can provide strong run and delivery to her forwards, Egan can also move up the ground to provide a reliable option up front with her consistent finishing ability.
The 17-year-old has 13 best player nods and 23 goals in 13 games.
15. ELLA METCALFE
(Broadview)
Making six appearances for North Adelaide at SANFLW League level last season, Metcalfe has also produced top drawer footy for Broadview.
A talented defender who can also move up the ground to set her side up, Metcalfe boasts the ability to cut off attacks in the air or at ground level and deliver well to teammates.
Has four best player nods and a goal in 11 games.
14. ELLE LINEAGE
(Hectorville)
A SANFLW League player for Norwood in 2023, Lineage has been a standout for Hectorville in division four.
A versatile player who covers ground well and always provides a reliable option for midfielders and forwards, Lineage can either set up teammates with accurate disposal or boot goals herself.
Has 10 majors and 12 best player nods in 12 games.
13. ALICE WINTER
(Old Ignatians)
Old Ignatians’ best player this year, Winter has produced one of her best seasons in division one.
A versatile midfielder who damages opposition with her speed and defensive pressure, Winter is one of the best users of the football in div one.
Has 11 best player nods in 11 games.
12. STEPHANIE WALKER
(Adelaide Uni)
The former GWS AFLW midfielder and Dutschke Medallist has been dominant for Adelaide Uni yet again this season.
A strong player through the middle who takes the game on and provides important run and carry for the Blacks.
Has six best player nods and five goals through her nine games this season.
11. LETISHA ACKLAND
(Payneham Norwood Union)
Arriving at PNU after a division two best and fairest season with Blackfriars OS, Ackland has provided a big boost for the Falcons and will be important in finals.
Capable of playing a number of roles around the ground, Ackland is an athletic and skilled player who is smooth on the ball and finds teammates with ease under pressure.
Has three best player nods and 12 goals in nine games.
10. KLAUDIA O’NEILL
(Henley)
The star 17-year-old has emerged as one of the most promising players in the Adelaide Footy League and at Woodville-West Torrens in 2023.
An impressive utility who can either feed midfielders with consistent tap-work or move up front as a strong-marking key forward.
Has 20 goals and eight best player nods in 12 games for Henley.
9. ASTRID GOOLEY
(Flinders Park)
Best on ground for SMOSH West Lakes in last year’s division one grand final, Gooley has been a standout again in 2023 for Flinders Park in div three.
An athletic and hard running player who can dominate as a ruck or move up front to hit the scoreboard regularly, Gooley boasts elite skills by hand and foot.
Has seven best player nods and 15 goals in 12 games for the Reds.
8. EMMA CLARK
(Tea Tree Gully)
Also a player for Norwood’s SANFLW League side this year, Clark has solidified herself as a star for TTG in division two.
Consistently winning her side games as a skilled inside mid, Clark covers ground as well as anyone, tallies a number of clearances and can also hit the scoreboard on occasion.
Has six best player nods and seven goals in 10 games.
7. ADRIENNE DAVIES
(Payneham Norwood Union)
A dominant leader for the Falcons, Davies has been a star for her side through season 2023.
Able to slot in through the middle or up front, Davies makes good decisions under pressure and can finish a goal from anywhere inside the forward 50.
Has 20 majors and seven best player appearances in 11 games for PNU.
6. BROOKLYN KRAFT
(Henley)
Also a solid contributor in Woodville-West Torrens’ SANFLW League side, Kraft has been a major standout for Henley in 2023.
An impactful ruck who covers ground well and delivers to teammates with ease under pressure, Kraft has the ability to take over a game for her side.
Has five best player nods and a goal in eight games.
5. CELESTINA DONA
(Morphettville Park)
Winner of two consecutive Dutschke Medal’s as division one’s top player in 2021 and 2022, Dona has been impressive yet again for Morphettville Park.
The former Norwood player is an athletic weapon who can play anywhere around the ground including midfield, up front or in the ruck, dominating with her speed and ability by foot.
Has three best player nods and 18 goals through her 11 game so far.
4. JORDAN WOODARDS
(Golden Grove)
The reigning division three medallist has added another fantastic season to her resume for Golden Grove in division two.
An athletic and versatile player who can have a major impact through the middle or up front with her ability to take strong marks, win the contest, and find teammates with pinpoint accuracy.
Woodards has eight best player nods and six goals in 10 games.
3. ZARA MOLLOY
(Broadview)
The best player in division one’s best side so far this season, Molloy has been a standout for Broadview yet again in 2023.
Also a player for North Adelaide’s SANFLW Development League side, Molloy’s ability to win the ball and find teammates with efficiency makes her one of the Adelaide Footy League’s top players.
Has seven best player appearances and two goals in 13 games.
2. LAUREN HOFFMANN
(Henley)
Also a member of North Adelaide’s SANFLW League side, Hoffmann has been a star for Henley this season.
A powerful player who covers ground well, wins plenty of contested footy and is exceptional both over her head and below her knees, Hoffmann can damage opposition in a number of ways.
Has five best player nods and three goals in 10 games.
1. OLIVIA EVANS
(Morphettville Park)
A consistent star around the ground who has also played for Woodville-West Torrens’ SANFLW League side, Evans has been at her best this season.
Capable of playing a number of roles, the Morphettville Park gun is a machine in the contest, boasts clean skills under pressure and consistently damages opposition with efficient disposal, often creating a number of chances for her side.
Has 11 best player nods and two goals through her 14 games so far this season.
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