Top 40 Southern Football League players of 2024 ranked
There is plenty of star power in the Southern Football League this season so we’ve ranked the 40 best players in the competition for 2024. See who made the cut.
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The Southern Football League has been one of the strongest leagues in SA footy for years and is filled with top drawer local talent.
Based on this season’s form, we’ve ranked the top 40 players in the competition for 2024.
Reigning premier Flagstaff Hill led the way with eight players, while Reynella and Port Noarlunga were also well-represented with six players listed each.
Players with less than six appearances were ruled ineligible.
Here are our rankings from no. 40 to 1.
40. JOSH BROWN
(Ironbank Cherry Gardens)
One of the most improved players at his club, Brown has been one of the Thunderers’ top performers after a number of years in the B Grade.
A great decision-maker under pressure and one of his side’s best distributors.
Has tallied five best player nods and three goals in nine games.
39. ALEX MARRA
(Cove)
The most reliable defender at Cove and his club’s top player so far this season, Marra is in the midst of a strong 2024 campaign.
One of the best distributors in the competition, Marra wins a number of aerial and ground level contests at the back for the Cobras and hits his teammates with precision.
Has eight best player nods and a goal in nine games.
38. SAM FLETT
(Happy Valley)
An important contributor for Happy Valley during what has been an improved season for the Vikings.
Flett is a versatile player who always finds plenty of the footy and is one of his side’s most composed under pressure.
Has five best player nods and three goals in 11 games.
37. TOM DIX
(Port Noarlunga)
A superstar leader of Port Noarlunga, former Mail Medallist Dix has been a strong contributor for his much-improved side this season.
One of the most skilled players in the competition, Dix can play a number of roles and often creates opportunities for his teammates through his crafty disposal.
Has four best player nods and six goals in eight games.
36. BRIAN GILL
(Morphett Vale)
A talented onballer with SANFL and Northern Territory experience, Gill has been a consistent top performer for the Emus in 2024.
A strong runner and tough inside player, Gill’s ability to win the footy and deliver to teammates while under pressure has been important for his side.
Has five best player nods and six goals in nine games.
35. EDUARD VANDENBERG
(Port Noarlunga)
Joining the Cockledivers from Blackwood this season, Vandenberg has starred for his new club through the middle.
A tough player on the ball who applies great pressure and is relentless in the contest.
Can also boot goals with nine majors and four best player performances in 11 games as well as an interleague appearance.
34. DYLAN MILLER
(Morphett Vale)
A rising young player for Morphett Vale, 19-year-old Miller has been one of his club’s top performers this year.
Miller is explosive through the middle and provides important run and carry as well as efficient disposal for the Emus.
Has five best player nods in 10 games.
33. MITCHELL JOHNSON
(Flagstaff Hill)
Previously a top-up player for the Crows and also a solid contributor for South Adelaide, Johnson remains one of the best players in the competition.
A talented and versatile asset for the Falcons who can play on the ball or in other roles around the ground, Johnson is a
smooth player who always makes the correct decision.
Has three goals and three best player performances in his eight appearances.
32. SAMUEL BENTLEY
(Aldinga)
Also an SFL representative in interleague this year, Bentley has produced a strong season for Aldinga so far.
One of the best defenders in the competition, Bentley is a reliable player behind the ball who competes well in the air and at ground level.
Has eight best player nods and two goals in 10 games.
31. TALON COPLEY
(Reynella)
21-year-old Copley was listed with South Adelaide last season and has been a standout in the SFL since returning to Reynella full-time.
A great runner who covers ground with ease, always finds the ball and makes the right decisions in possession.
Has five best player nods and seven goals through 11 games so far.
30. JAKE POKOINA
(Ironbank Cherry Gardens)
A talented follower who joined the Thunderers for their debut SFL season after time with Hectorville.
Pokoina can dominate a game from the middle for his side by winning plenty of the contested ball and cutting opposing teams up with his disposal.
Has eight best player nods and a goal in 10 games.
29. MICHAEL SMITH
(Morphett Vale)
Morphett Vale’s star leader remains one of the Emus’ top players in 2024 with a number of dominant displays on the ball.
A big-bodied player who is tough to bring down and uses the ball terrifically, Smith is one of the best big game players in the competition.
Has three best player performances in his eight games so far.
28. JAYDEN LITTLE
(Happy Valley)
Little has been an important player for Happy Valley this season as the Vikings make a finals charge.
Spatially aware in the contest, competent on either side of his body and clean with his hands, Little can damage opposition in a number of ways.
Has four best player performances and two goals in nine games.
27. LUKE WATSON
(Aldinga)
A superstar performer during what has been a tough season so far for Aldinga.
Watson is relentless through the middle, attacking the contest to win the footy for his side and disposing to teammates in space.
Has six best player nods and three goals in 11 games and was named best on ground for the SFL against the GSFL.
26. DAVID KEARSLEY
(Flagstaff Hill)
A champion veteran for Flagstaff Hill, Kearsley has been a star player for the Falcons for years.
A talented onballer who can rotate through the backline or up front, Kearsley is hard at the contest and has a tremendous footy IQ.
Has kicked three goals and been named among his side’s best three times so far this season, and will be an important leader for the Falcons come finals.
25. JACE DARIS
(Christies Beach)
The winner of the U17.5 medal senior colts medal in season 2022, young midfielder Daris has exploded onto the SFL scene for Christies Beach this year.
A standout player in the clinches who can win a number of important clearances for his side, Daris is a tough and skilled player for the Saints.
Can also boot goals when called upon, with 19 majors to go along with his six best player nods in 10 games.
24. TERRY KATHOPOULIS
(Noarlunga)
A young star in the SFL, Kathopoulis has consistently been among Noarlunga’s best this year.
A hard runner who wins plenty of the contested footy and delivers to teammates with precision, Kathopoulis can also move up front to do damage if needed.
Has 10 goals and eight best player nods in 11 games.
23. BRAD POTTER
(Reynella)
Potter has been a force for top side Reynella this season.
The forward/midfielder knows his way around goal and can also create for his teammates with his quick thinking and disposal.
Has booted 23 in 11 games so far to go along with seven best player nods.
22. NATHAN BEENHAM
(Flagstaff Hill)
As good as anyone on his day in the half-forward position, Beenham’s selection comes as no surprise.
Previously a solid contributor at South Adelaide, the Flagstaff Hill star continues to produce in front of goal and up the ground with his clean hand and foot skills and ability to finish in front of the big sticks.
Has 24 goals and four best player appearances in nine games and also played interleague. i
21. JOSHUA JOHNS
(Port Noarlunga)
A young star of the SFL, Johns has come into his own for the Cockledivers this season.
A rangy player who can perform behind the footy and provide strong run and carry in the middle, Johns is a smart player who makes good decisions under pressure.
Has four best player performances in 11 games and was one of the SFL’s best in interleague.
20. ANGUS STANGEWITZ
(Aldinga)
Another veteran of the SFL, Stangewitz’s level of production remains among the competition’s best.
The Aldinga centre-half back covers ground as well as anyone in the league and also has the ability to clunk big marks and distribute efficiently to teammates.
Named among his side’s best seven times in 11 games so far.
19. MAX GILL
(Happy Valley)
Joining Happy Valley after a successful tenure with McLaren in the Great Southern FL, Gill has provided a major boost for the Vikings.
A strong player on the ball who moves well around the ground and damages opposition with his accurate disposal.
Has five best player mentions and four goals in eight games so far.
18. JOSH BEARD
(Noarlunga)
A versatile star who can rotate through the contest and play behind the ball, Beard has been almost faultless for the Shoes to start the 2024 season.
A strong and smart player who can compete with anyone in the air and is clean at ground level.
Has five best player nods and a goal for Noarlunga in nine games this year.
17. NICK STEELE
(Port Noarlunga)
A huge signing for Port Noarlunga this year, the former West Adelaide man has been at the top of his game in the SFL.
A strong target one-on-one inside 50 and a great finisher, Steele has been one of the keys to the club’s improvement in 2024.
Has 37 goals and four best player nods in 11 games.
16. SAM SMITH
(Flagstaff Hill)
Currently sitting fifth in the league’s goals tally, Smith has been a strong and consistent option yet again for Flagstaff Hill this year.
Smith is supremely skilled, has strong hands and has worked well with his teammates up front, either working off of them to kick goals or providing for them.
Has 30 majors and five best player nods in nine games.
15. JAYDEN SCOTT
(Aldinga)
Arriving from Myponga/Sellicks this season, 21-year-old Scott has been one of the best forwards in the SFL.
A supreme athlete with a big leap and the ability to take huge marks, Scott is adept at playing as a key target or moving up the ground to create for teammates.
Currently sits third for goals in the league with 32 in 11 games to go along with five best player nods.
14. ROBERT SCHINDLER-TAYLOR
(Morphett Vale)
One of Morphett Vale’s most consistent performers, Schindler-Taylor’s ability to provide run and carry as well as damaging disposal off of half back and through midfield has made him irreplaceable at the Emus.
Schindler-Taylor produces his best work in the biggest games, often hurting teams with efficient distribution.
Has four best player nods and three goals in nine games this year and was also among SFL’s best in interleague.
13. AUSTIN HOGG
(Christies Beach)
A rising young star for Christies Beach, Hogg has emerged as one of the competition’s most skilled players through the middle in 2024.
A strong runner who is clean off of the deck and with his disposal, Hogg has been a major part of the Saints’ improvement this year.
Has five best player mentions and seven goals in nine games and was also one of the standout performers for the SFL against the GSFL in interleague.
12. JORDAN ETTO
(Flagstaff Hill)
A dedicated player who works as hard as anyone in the Flagstaff Hill line-up, Etto has been a star for the Falcons in 2024.
Courageous in the contest and a hard runner, Etto always provides an option for his teammates and can do damage around the ground or in front of goal.
Has five best player nods and 12 goals in seven games.
11. TYLER DAVIES
(Reynella)
Davies has hit the ground running this season after a spectacular 2023 campaign for the Wineflies.
The former South Adelaide player has been a reliable option through the middle of the park who disposes efficiently and has also shown the ability to move up the ground and kick goals.
Has five best player mentions and four goals in his six games this year.
10. JACK FLETT
(Happy Valley)
A standout for Happy Valley around the ground this year, Flett has been one of the major keys to his club’s top four season so far.
An athletic player who works tirelessly through the middle and can also have an impact at either end of the ground, Flett wins plenty of his own footy and delivers to teammates with ease under pressure.
Has six best player nods and two goals through his eight games so far.
9. REECE MILSOM
(Flagstaff Hill)
Milsom has been impressive for the Falcons again this year after arriving from South Adelaide before the 2023 season.
A talented midfielder who distributes well by hand or foot, Milsom racks up contested possessions and sets his teammates up with ease.
Has five best player nods and a goal in six games.
8. MARC BORHOLM
(Reynella)
A dominant big who can play up front and through the ruck, reigning Mail Medallist Borholm has been one of Reynella’s standouts again.
An all-round asset for the Wineflies after they lost star Cam McGree to Glenelg in the 2022 pre-season, Borholm damages opposition with strong aerial ability and tap work and also finishes well in front of goal.
Has three best player nods and 17 goals in eight games.
7. ZACH SPROULE
(Port Noarlunga)
The former GWS and South Adelaide man has been a standout for The Cockledivers.
An athletic and tireless player who takes impressive marks and kicks big goals, Sproule can completely take over a game and leads the league in goalkicking so far this season.
Has 39 goals and three best player performances in 11 games.
6. D’ARCY MITCHELL
(Flagstaff Hill)
A major signing from Glenunga in division one of the Adelaide Footy League, Mitchell has been dominant for the Falcons so far this year.
A tall player with the ability to play key positions at either end of the ground, Mitchell is capable of taking big marks and can also finish in front of goal when needed.
Has seven best player mentions and 10 goals in 11 games.
5. SAMUEL WHITBREAD
(Reynella)
The 2022 SFL Mail Medallist, Whitbread has picked up from where he left off for the Wineflies after another strong year in 2023.
A dominant inside player who loves doing the dirty work for his side, Whitbread wins plenty of the contested footy and is a clearance machine.
Has eight best player appearances and six goals in 11 games.
4. NICK MOTT
(Noarlunga)
A versatile tall who can damage sides in a number of ways, Noarlunga champion Nick Mott has been at his best in the SFL so far this season.
Mott can dominate in the ruck to give his mids first look at it and can also have a positive impact up front with his ability to take big marks and finish for goal.
Has 11 best player nods and eight goals in 11 games.
3. MICHAEL MAZEY
(Christies Beach)
A skilled and versatile player who can take over a game for Christies Beach, Mazey has been a star since arriving back to the club after a Mail Medal year in the Port Lincoln FL for Lincoln South.
Mazey can have an impact on the ball as well as up front, dominating in the air and also hitting the contest hard as a big-bodied mid.
Has nine best player nods and 15 goals in 11 games for the Saints so far.
2. SAM THARALDSEN
(Flagstaff Hill)
Tharaldsen is Flagstaff Hill’s spiritual leader in the back half and has impressed as playing-coach of the Falcons so far this year.
With the ability to contest any forward in the air or on the ground and then dispose of the ball with high efficiency, he rarely ever has a bad game at centre-half back position and he can also move into the contest or up front and have an impact if needed.
Tharaldsen has one best on ground mention in seven games so far and was also an important part of the SFL’s interleague side.
1. NATHANIEL PAREDES
(Port Noarlunga)
Well-known for his performances as captain of St Mary’s in the NT, Paredes has been a sensational pick-up for Andrew Jarman and the Cockledivers in the SFL through the last two seasons.
A strong and skilled player who can fill a number of roles around the ground, Paredes is hard at the footy and can distribute or finish in front of goal efficiently off of either side of his body.
Has 21 goals and eight best player mentions in his 11 games so far.
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