Top 50 SA country footy clubs of 2023 ranked
We’ve looked back at the 2023 season to rank the 50 best country clubs from across the state. See who made the list here – and let us know if you agree.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
SA country footy has played host to some of the state’s best local talent and clubs over the years and season 2023 was no exception.
A number of sides achieved historic successes or continued reigns over their competitions, but which club really is the best in the bush?
It may be an impossible question to answer given the great variance in quality of football played across the leagues.
No-one would seriously consider that a small club in a minor rural league would beat a powerhouse in the Great Southern Football League if they were to come head to head in battle.
But, when comparing clubs as the best performed we have to take into account how they fared relative to the skill level around them.
At the risk of being ridiculed, we have tried to answer that seemingly unanswerable question as we rank the top 50 performing clubs of the country footy season.
For our ranking system, we’ve graded teams based on their records in their own comps rather than trying to compare them across other leagues.
So a club that dominated a small league like the Riverland FL may rank higher than a club from the Barossa, Light and Gawler FA, even though the BLG team would surely win should the two ever play against each other.
These rankings are based on the entire season, not just the clubs who prevailed on the biggest days.
Some teams did outrank others due to their performances in a stronger competition, despite not coming away with the premiership.
Southern Football League clubs have also been included, since the competition’s players compete in the SA Country Championships.
50. CENTRAL WHYALLA
(Whyalla Football League)
Finish: Runners-up
Could not go back-to-back despite another strong finals run this season, falling just short against West Whyalla in the grand final.
Finished third and impressively defeated Roopena in the preliminary final to make the big dance.
49. MINERS (ROXBY DISTRICTS)
(Far North Football League)
Finish: Premiers
Put together a strong season and topped it off with an upset grand final win over minor premier Hornridge.
Sat second in the competition with an 8-4 record heading into finals.
48. KINGSCOTE
(Kangaroo Island Football League)
Finish: Premiers
While he was often unavailable to play for the club, Hamish Hartlett’s arrival at Kingscote helped the club to a KIFL flag over Western Districts.
The former Port Adelaide star kicked two goals and had over 30 touches in the big dance.
47. ORROROO
(Northern Areas Football Association)
Finish: Premiers
Pulled off one of the great upsets in local SA footy history.
With its player pool coming from a town of just a few hundred people, Orroroo made it to the grand final and defeated powerhouse BMW to win the flag after finishing fifth with a 7-9 record.
46. KEITH
(Kowree, Naracoorte Tatiara Football League)
Finish: Third
The Crows, led by former North Adelaide star Lewis Hender, crashed out in the second week of finals after a strong KNTFL season.
The club finished third on the ladder with a win-loss tally of 12-4.
45. ROOPENA
(Whyalla Football League)
Finish: Minor premier
Finished top of the WFL ladder after a strong minor round, tallying 15 wins and just one loss heading into finals.
Clayton Mesecke was a standout for the Roos yet again this year but could not get his side over the line against Central Whyalla in the prelim.
44. RANGES
(Eastern Eyre Football League)
Finish: Runners-up
Produced a brilliant minor round season with a top spot win-loss record of 11-1.
Lost to Ports by 10 points in the grand final despite strong performances from Jess and Jack Kenny through the middle and up front.
43. SOUTHERN EAGLES
(Yorke Peninsula Football League)
Finish: Third
The arrival of Woodville-West Torrens premiership big man Jarrad Redden and Hills FL star Jackson Hooper saw Southern Eagles become a legit contender in the YPFL in 2023.
Finished third with a 12-4 record and lost to eventual premier Kadina by 18 pts in the prelim.
42. BOOLEROO MELROSE WILMINGTON
(Northern Areas Football Association)
Finish: Runners-up
BMW was in the box seat for a historic premiership after going 15-1 in the minor round of the NAFA before suffering possibly the biggest upset defeat of the year by falling to fifth spot Orroroo in the grand final.
Alek Kangur and Nick McCallum were standouts throughout the year.
41. REYNELLA
(Southern Football League)
Finish: Third
Reynella recovered from the departure of star big man Cam McGree relatively well in the 2023 SFL season but could not win a back-to-back premiership after the improvement of both Flagstaff Hill and Noarlunga.
Marc Borholm took out the 2023 Mail Medal as the Wineflies finished third with a 12-4 record.
40. PORTS
(Eastern Eyre Football League)
Finish: Premiers
Ports topped Ranges for the second straight season to win yet another EEFL flag.
The Magpies hit their straps in the second half of the year and had brilliant performances from Aseri Raikiwasa and Cooper Llewellyn on their way to the feat.
39. WEST GAMBIER
(Western Border Football League)
Finish: Minor premier
While Daron McElroy was at his best for the club this season, the Roos could not get the job done at the end of the year.
Despite falling short in the finals the side completed the formidable task of beating Millicent to top spot on the ladder with a record of 14-1-1.
38. SEDAN-CAMBRAI
(Murray Valley Football League)
Finish: Premiers
The force yet again in the Murray Valley FL, Sedan-Cambrai achieved an undefeated premiership this year.
Finishing with a 12-0 record heading into finals, the Magpies flew past Browns-Well in the qualifying final and then grand final to take out the flag.
37. MYPOLONGA
(River Murray Football League)
Finish: Runners-up
The Tigers shocked most to make the RMFL grand final from fifth spot on the ladder, defeating Coorong, Imperials and Southern Mallee before just falling to Jervois in the big dance.
Coach Stevie Sumner Sr saw great performances from Pat Davies, Riley Robinson and Jack Kluske.
36. BAROSSA DISTRICT
(Barossa, Light and Gawler Football Association)
Finish: Third
Barossa District experienced a resurgence this year, becoming genuine premiership contenders behind the play of Jake Mazzone, Leigh Ryswyk and Darren Shillabeer.
Finished third at 12-4 and got knocked out in the preliminary final by South Gawler.
35. MEADOWS
(Hills Country Division)
Finish: Runners-up
The Bulldogs came close to a premiership yet again this year, losing to Gumeracha by a kick for the second grand final in a row.
Finished second on the ladder at 12-2 behind strong play by recruits Matt and Jake Spencely.
34. URAIDLA DISTRICTS
(Hills Football League)
Finish: Third
Former Melbourne and Norwood utility Dean Terlich continued his dominance in the HFL but it was not enough to win the Demons a premiership.
Finished third with a 12-6 record.
33. VICTOR HARBOR
(Great Southern Football League)
Finish: Third
The Roos were bolstered by the arrival of former South Adelaide gun Sam Overall and the emergence of 2023 Mail Medallist Jesse McKinnon.
Couldn’t quite break through to make a grand final appearance but put an impressive season together to finish third on the GSFL ladder.
32. WEST WHYALLA
(Whyalla Football League)
Finish: Premiers
West Whyalla hit a brilliant run of form to take out the WFL flag from third on the ladder.
The side was led by superstar captain Myles McNamara who dominated on the ball and up front throughout the season.
31. HATHERLEIGH
(Mid South Eastern Football League)
Finish: Runners-up
The Eagles put a spectacular run together to make this year’s MSEFL grand final.
Finishing third on the ladder, Hatherleigh defeated Robe and Port MacDonnell before losing to Kalangadoo by a kick.
30. RENMARK
(Riverland Football League)
Finish: Runners-up
Came agonisingly close to a fourth premiership in a row, falling just short against Barmera Monash in this year’s RFL grand final.
The Rovers were still dominant throughout the season however, finishing on top of the ladder with a win-loss record of 12-3.
29. BARMERA MONASH
(Riverland Football League)
Finish: Premiers
The only club to defeat Renmark in the finals in the past three years, Barmera Monash pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the season to win the RFL grand final.
The Roos entered the finals in third spot, eventually defeating Loxton North in the preliminary final and then edging the Rovers by nine points in the big dance.
28. WESTERN UNITED
(Western Eyre Football League)
Finish: Premiers
The club was at its brilliant best this season, losing just one game on its way to a WEFL premiership.
Young star brothers Harlee and Jesse Chandler were dominant as their side cruised to a 106-28 grand final win over the West Coast Hawks.
27. PORT MACDONNELL
(Mid South Eastern Football League)
Finish: Minor premier
One of the South East’s strongest clubs in 2023, Port MacDonnell fell short of a flag this year after an impressive minor round.
The Demons, led by 2022 Mail Medallist Tim Sullivan, sat top of the ladder with a 14-2 record heading into finals but ultimately lost to Hatherleigh in the preliminary final.
26. SOUTHERN MALLEE
(River Murray Football League)
Finish: Second
Led by former West Adelaide captain Tom Keough, the Suns impressed in their debut RMFL season.
Finished with a second best minor round record of 14-2 before going losing to eventual premier Jervois and a red hot Mypolonga in finals.
25. KINGSTON
(Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League)
Finish: Runners-up
Kingston sat fifth with a 9-7 record heading into finals, but their spectacular run to the grand final sees the club make the top half of this list.
The Saints defeated Naracoorte in the elimination final, Keith in the semi final and Mundulla in the preliminary final after two periods of extra time to make the big dance, eventually losing to Border Districts after leading at halftime.
24. SOLOMONTOWN
(Spencer Gulf Football League)
Finish: Runners-up
Former Crows and Broadview player Corey Davey was at his best again this season, dominating from the middle to win another Mail Medal, but his form wasn’t quite enough to get the Cats over the line in the big dance.
Solomontown held a 15-2 record heading into finals but would go down against Prop/Risdon in the grand final by 32 points.
23. UNITED YEELANNA
(Great Flinders Football League)
Finish: Premiers
One of the most dominant clubs in SA country footy this year, United Yeelanna cruised to an undefeated season and another flag.
Star key forward Matt Crettenden booted 81 goals in just 10 games as the club topped Tumby Bay in the grand final.
22. NOARLUNGA
(Southern Football League)
Finish: Runners-up
Noarlunga fell just short of SFL premiership glory for a second straight season, but can be forgiven after running into an unbeatable Flagstaff Hill led by Sam Jacobs.
Jake Anderson and Josh Beard were at their best as the Shoes achieved a 13-3 minor round record and made another grand final.
21. MUNDULLA
(Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League)
Finish: Minor premier
Mundulla produced a spectacular minor round record in the KNTFL, going 14-2 with losses coming against Naracoorte by a point and eventual premier Border Districts.
The side was eventually knocked out by Kingston in the preliminary final after multiple periods of extra time.
20. MOONTA
(Yorke Peninsula Football League)
Finish: Runners-up
Moonta produced one of its best ever minor round campaigns this year, losing just one game on its way to a 15-1 record.
While the Demons - led by YPFL guns Ryley Maitland, Tyler Andrews and Malcolm Karpany - headed into finals as flag favourites, they would fall at the final hurdle as Kadina claimed the 2023 premiership.
19. GUMERACHA
(Hills Country Division)
Finish: Premiers
Gummy achieved back-to-back flags for the first time since 1957.
Sam and Ben Hanna were again integral as the Magpies topped Meadows in the grand final.
18. TWO WELLS
(Adelaide Plains Football League)
Finish: Premiers
Stars Luke Barnett and Jakob Thomson were at their best as the Roosters put together a brilliant season.
The club went the entire APFL season undefeated on its way to a third consecutive premiership.
17. MYPONGA/SELLICKS
(Great Southern Football League)
Finish: Second
With former Collingwood and Melbourne player Ben Kennedy in strong form again this year, the Mudlarks remained a major threat in the GSFL.
Lost the preliminary final to Willunga by 15 points but put together a strong campaign, finishing second on the ladder with a 14-4 record.
16. PROPRIETARY/RISDON
(Spencer Gulf Football League)
Finish: Premiers
Prop/Risdon got revenge on Solomontown after losing to the Cats in the 2022 grand final, winning by 32 points in season 2023.
The Lions finished two wins below the Cats in the minor round but saved their best footy for the finals.
15. MARBLE RANGE
(Port Lincoln Football League)
Finish: Runners-up
The club fell agonisingly short of a third consecutive premiership but produced another impressive season despite the loss of star player Kory Beard.
The Magpies went 14-1 in the minor round before losing by a kick to Lincoln South in the big dance.
14. WILLUNGA
(Great Southern Football League)
Finish: Runners-up
The Demons fell just short of GSFL glory for the second straight season, losing to McLaren in the grand final.
The addition of former West Coast star Jack Redden proved fruitful however as the side hit form in finals to make the big dance from fourth.
13. LINCOLN SOUTH
(Port Lincoln Football League)
Finish: Premiers
The major additions of playing-coach Johann Wagner, Mail Medallist Michael Mazey and captain Zane Montgomerie paid off for the Eagles as they took out their first PLFL premiership in 20 years.
The side had to defeat powerhouse Marble Range to claim the flag, handing the Magpies just their second loss in three years in dramatic fashion.
12. BSR TIGERS
(North Eastern Football League)
Finish: Premiers
Brinkworth Spalding Redhill continued its reign over the North Eastern Football League.
Behind the consistent standout play of Alex Morgan in the contest and up front, the Tigers finished the season undefeated and won their fourth straight flag.
11. MILLICENT
(Western Border Football League)
Finish: Premiers
Millicent remained one of SA’s top country sides this year, winning its third straight WBFL flag.
Despite finishing second to West Gambier during the season, the Saints stormed through finals and eventually beat North Gambier in the big dance.
10. NURIOOTPA
(Barossa, Light and Gawler Football Association)
Finish: Runners-up
Nuriootpa could not back up its 2022 success in the BLG but still produced a strong season.
The Tigers finished with an impressive minor round record of 13-3 and went down to South Gawler in the grand final by just eight points.
9. KALANGADOO
(Mid South Eastern Football League)
Finish: Premiers
A power of the MSEFL, Kalangadoo won its second consecutive premiership this year.
The Magpies finished second in the minor round but typically clicked into gear during finals to win a thrilling flag over Hatherleigh by a goal.
8. BORDER DISTRICTS
(Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League)
Finish: Premiers
Border Districts reached a new level in season 2023, the club losing just three games on its way to a premiership.
The side defeated surprise packet Kingston in the big dance.
7. HAHNDORF
(Hills Football League)
Finish: Runners-up
While Hahndorf eventually fell short against Nairne Bremer in the big dance, the Magpies still put a brilliant season together.
The Hills powerhouse, coached by former AFL forward Matt Golding, went undefeated in the minor round.
6. KADINA
(Yorke Peninsula Football League)
Finish: Premiers
Kadina finally achieved what it had set out to when it recruited former Woodville-West Torrens stars Jake Von Bertouch and Angus Poole.
The Bloods bounced back from a big second round finals loss to Moonta to defeat the Demons 94-58 in the grand final.
5. NAIRNE BREMER
(Hills Football League)
Finish: Premiers
The Rams, led by the strong play of 100-goal forward Darcy Hourigan and Mail Medallist Brock Knott, lost just three games throughout the minor round in the HFL and beat flag favourite Hahndorf twice in the finals to claim the premiership.
It was the club’s first ever division one flag.
4. JERVOIS
(River Murray Football League)
Finish: Premiers
The Bluds were back to their best this year, boasting one of the most consistent line-ups in SA country footy - led by star forwards Josh Scott and Ben Hansen.
Went the entire season undefeated and ousted Mypolonga by nine points in the grand final.
3. SOUTH GAWLER
(Barossa, Light and Gawler Football Association)
Finish: Premiers
Suffered a dramatic one-point loss to Nuriootpa in the first round of finals after going the entire season undefeated but responded in style to defeat Barossa District in preliminary final and then exact revenge on the Tigers in the big dance.
2. MCLAREN
(Great Southern Football League)
Finish: Premiers
Led by triple GSFL Mail Medallist Brett Ellis, McLaren stormed to its second straight premiership.
The Eagles, who remained undefeated in 2022, lost just three games for the season and topped Jack Redden and Willunga in the grand final.
1. FLAGSTAFF HILL
(Southern Football League)
Finish: Premiers
Bolstered by the additions of former AFL star Sam Jacobs, South Adelaide midfielder Reece Milsom and dual Magarey Medallist Zane Kirkwood as coach, Flagstaff Hill dominated the SFL.
The Falcons remained undefeated in 2023 and easily beat Noarlunga in the grand final.
Join the conversation
Watch now: SANFL Girls Intrastate Carnival, Day 2
North will be looking to continue a dominant start as Sturt, West and the Eagles are also in action on day two of the SANFL Girls Intrastate Carnival. Watch LIVE from 10.30am Wednesday.
Read more
Revealed: Top SACA Premier Cricket players to watch in 2024/2025
From new recruits to rising stars and champions of the competition – we’ve picked the men’s and women’s players to watch this SACA Premier Cricket season. See who made the cut.
Read more