Yorke Peninsula Football League’s top 35 players in 2022 ranked

The YPFL features nine clubs and some of the best country footballers in SA, so we’ve ranked the top players in the competition for 2022. See who made the cut.

The Yorke Peninsula Football League remains one of South Australia’s strongest country competitions and has no shortage of starpower.

Based on this season’s form, The Messenger has consulted YPFL players, coaches and officials to rank the top 35 players in the competition for 2022.

Ladder-leader CMS Crows led the way for representation with seven players included, while Kadina also get a nod with seven representatives.

Here is our list of the top players in the league ranked from 35 to 1.

35. WILLY SERLE

(Kadina)

Willy Serle, who has previously played for Bridgewater Callington Football Club, has kicked more than 1000 career goals. Picture: Dean Martin

One of local footy’s greatest goalkickers, Serle has added to his career total of over 1000 majors this season at Kadina.

A strong-bodied forward with a safe pair of hands, Serle can bag goals with ease on either side of his body.

Has booted 29 majors in 12 appearances so far this year and has been named among his side’s best players twice.

34. SHAUN MCNEILLY

(CMS)

Shaun McNeilly (middle) with fellow CMS teammates Ben Edwards and Murphy Short. Picture: CMS Crows Football Club

The Crows utility is an athletic and versatile tall who can play anywhere on the ground.

Possessing strong hands and effective foot skills, McNeilly represented Central in this year’s SA Country Football Championships.

33. LACHIE POINTON

(CMS)

An evasive and nimble wingman who can also play half-forward, Pointon never wastes a kick with his elite left foot.

Was named best on ground in his side’s big win over Moonta last week.

32. TERREL RIGNEY

(Ardrossan)

Ardrossan wingman Terrel Rigney has been a consistent star for his side this year. Picture: SANFL

Rigney is a silky smooth wingman who can also double as a dangerous small forward.

With pace to burn, the fleet-footed Roo is exceptional on both feet and can set up multiple attacking forays for his side.

31. TYRELL HOCKING

(Wallaroo)

A standout for the Bulldogs this season, Hocking is a speedy midfielder who can also hit the scoreboard when sneaking forward.

Boasting an accurate kick, the consistent onballer has been named in his side’s best players 13 times out of 15 games this season.

30. BRODIE PAIGE

(Paskeville)

Tough Paskeville onballer Brodie Paige (right) remains an important part of the Magpies lineup. Picture: Paskeville Football Club

Paige is an old-school onballer who does his best work inside the contest.

A ‘see ball, get ball’ type midfielder, the Magpie boasts a strong work rate which allows him to accumulate possessions with ease while also laying multiple tackles every game.

29. BEN RUSSELL

(Wallaroo)

A hard-running midfielder, Russell is a workhorse that keeps going all day.

An excellent user by foot, the star Bulldog has been named in his side’s best players ten times from 15 games this season.

28. MATT BARLOW

(Southern Eagles)

The rangy defender has made life difficult for key forwards this season, with his ability to lock down opposition spearheads among the best in the league.

Barlow can also rebound attacking thrusts with strong intercept marking.

27. JAYSON MANNERS

(Kadina)

Kadina star Jayson Manners (second from left) remains among the best players in the YPFL. Picture: Kadina Football Club

A former SANFL junior with Woodville West Torrens, Manners has developed into a solidly-built midfielder and half-forward gun.

Boasting strong leadership qualities, Manners was best on ground in Kadina’s 2017 grand final victory.

26. JAKE COOK

(CMS)

Jake Cook during his time at Henley. He has been a weapon for CMS Crows this season. Picture: Dean Martin

Cook is a damaging left-footer who is explosive around the ball and can provide run on the outside for the Crows.

One of the competition’s best wingers, Cook can also push forward and hit the scoreboard, kicking 15 goals from as many games this season.

25. CHARLIE HAY

(Central Yorke Cougars)

Charlie Hay (right) during his days playing for the Lameroo Hawks in the Mallee Football League

A smooth-moving midfielder, Hay can be both damaging on the inside and outside of the contest.

Despite possessing the ability to push forward, kicking 23 majors from 15 games this season, the Cougars jet is also a selfless player who runs both ways.

24. MATT APPLETON

(Moonta)

Former Port Adelaide teammates Jack Elsworthy (Kadina) Matt Appleton (Moonta) and Ben Edwards (CMS Crows) are rivals in the Yorke Peninsula league. Picture: Tom Huntley

With one of the YPFL’s best footy brains, Appleton boasts SANFL league experience with both North Adelaide and Port Adelaide.

The skilled onballer always seems to have plenty of time with ball in hand and rarely wastes a possession.

23. MICHAEL HOBBS

(Ardrossan)

Ardrossan's Michael Hobbs takes hanger playing for the YPFL. Picture: Facebook

An athletic key defender, Hobbs is a versatile player who can pinch-hit in the ruck.

The intercept marker is also powerful by foot with ball in hand and has been in his side’s best players 12 times in 15 games this season.

22. SCOTT MUMFORD

(Southern Eagles)

The Eagles spearhead is a towering 200cm full forward capable of kicking bags of goals.

Dominant one-on-one and a reliable shot for goal, Mumford has nailed 33 majors from 13 games including a haul of six against Paskeville in round 11.

21. SAM DAVIS

(Bute)

Sam Davis, pictured with parents Jim and Tracy Davis back in 2017. Picture: AAP Photographer/ Keryn Stevens

A big-bodied utility, Davis doubles as both a dominant midfielder and potent forward.

Clean in the contest and damaging in the air, Davis has snared 23 goals from 15 games to go with 14 best-player appearances for the Roosters.

20. JACK ELSWORTHY

(Kadina)

Jack Elsworthy in action for Port Adelaide. Picture: David Mariuz

With considerable SANFL experience with both South Adelaide and Port Magpies, Elsworthy is one of the best distributers in the competition.

A small, clever half-back who can push up into the midfield, the Bloods gun is an excellent decision-maker with elite foot skills.

19. AIDAN TURNER

(Moonta)

Moonta Demons young gun Aidan Turner (right) continues to develop into a star of the YPFL. Picture: Moonta Football Club

The young rising star has experienced a taste of SANFL league action with Port Magpies this season and has been in great form whenever he has been available for the Demons.

A hardworking, contested ball winner who can push forward, Turner has kicked 15 goals from nine YPFL games and featured in the best players six times.

18. TOM SCHOTT

(CMS)

CMS Crows gun Tom Schott sits inside the YPFL’s top 20 for this season. Picture: CMS Crows Football Club

A tall, big-bodied midfielder, Schott has been highly influential in his nine games this season, featuring in the Crows’ best players five times while also slotting nine majors.

A great decision-maker, the former Glenelg gun finds plenty of the ball and is skilful on both sides of the body.

17. LUKE TRENORDEN

(Central Yorke Cougars)

Central Yorke Cougars big man Luke Trenorden (left) has been a star in 2022. Picture: Central Yorke Football Club

The versatile big man has played his forward-ruck role brilliantly in 2022, booting a whopping 41 goals in 15 games and giving his midfielders first use of the footy when moved into the middle.

Trenorden is an imposing target in the forward 50 and boasts height and strong hands in the air, making him a difficult match up for opposition defenders.

16. DYLAN MANSELL

(Moonta)

Moonta Demons defender Dylan Mansell (left). Picture: Moonta Football Club

A hard as nails half-back in a similar vein to Luke Hodge, Mansell never shirks a contest.

Can also be deployed in stints in the midfield, where he can win his own ball and is reliable by foot.

In eight games for the Demons in 2022, Mansell has featured in the best players seven times.

15. ALBY PRICE

(Paskeville)

Paskeville midfield gun Alby Price. Picture: Pakesville Football Club

Price is a smooth-moving midfielder who can accumulate plenty of the pill.

Composed with ball in hand, the Magpies gun is tough at the contest and has the aerobic ability to run both ways.

14. KIERAN YAKAS

(Moonta)

Moonta Demons’ Kieran Yakkas has been a standout ruck in the competition in 2022. Picture: Moonta Football Club

Along with Henry Crauford, Yakas is considered one the YPFL’s best ruckmen.

The Moonta big man is an athletic force for his size and is a fierce competitor, with his sometimes unorthodox methods make him a difficult match up.

13. JARRYN MALE

(CMS)

CMS winger Jarryn Male in action. Picture: CMS Crows Football Club

An aerobic beast, Male runs all day and uses his silky left foot to carve up opposition defences.

Considered the best wingman in the competition, the Crows dasher can also push forward and impact the scoreboard.

12. HENRY CRAUFORD

(Central Yorke Cougars)

Former Norwood ruckman Henry Crauford is one of the most dominant big men in the YPFL. Picture: SANFL

After spending time at Norwood and as a rookie at Essendon, Crauford has been a dominant force in the YPFL this season and is considered the competition’s best ruckman.

The agile big man boasts outstanding follow up work at ground level for his size and also has a great set of hands.

In 14 games this season he has been named in the Cougars’ best players 11 times while kicking 10 goals.

11. ZAC BATES

(Central Yorke Cougars)

Nakia Cockatoo, Stephen Motlop and Zac Bates (right). Bates has been a standout for Central Yorke this season. Picture: Mike Dugdale

The former Geelong and West Adelaide weapon is another damaging player for the Cougars, with his leg speed and lethal left foot making him a formidable opponent.

Swapping between half-back and the midfield, Bates is a potent player with ball in hand and has featured in his side’s best players on ten occasions in 2022.

10. SAM PFEIFFER

(Ardrossan)

Sam Pfeiffer representing Adelaide’s SANFL side. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

A former star state country key defender, Pfeiffer has blossomed in a centre-half forward role this season for the Roos.

The spearhead has nailed 20 goals from 15 matches and has remarkably been named in his side’s best players in every game this season.

9. MALCOLM KARPANY

(Moonta)

Former West Coast and South Adelaide star Malcolm Karpany has had a dominant year for Moonta. Picture: Tony McDonough

Another former AFL and SANFL gun, Karpany is a quick and evasive small who can use his lethal left foot to set up attacking forays for his side.

Drawing from his experience with the West Coast Eagles and South Adelaide, Karpany has excelled swapping between half-back and the midfield for the Demons in 2022 and has been named in his side’s best players in all 12 matches this season.

8. BEN EDWARDS

(CMS)

Gun CMS forward Ben Edwards. Picture: SANFL

One’s of the YPFL’s best key forwards, Edwards is the league’s leading goal-kicker and has been one of the keys in the Crows’ hunt for back-to-back premierships in 2022.

A state country representative this year, the spearhead is a strong one-on-one mark and has booted a stunning 71 goals from just 15 matches, including seven bags of six.

7. NATHAN ALLEN

(Southern Eagles)

The Eagles captain is a strong, big bodied midfielder who is known for his fearless attack on the contest.

An excellent distributer with ball in hand, Allen has been one of his side’s most consistent players this season, amassing mentions in the best players in all 13 matches he has played in 2022.

6. GILES ELLIS

(Kadina)

Kadina’s Giles Ellis playing for SA Country. He has put together another outstanding year. Picture: SANFL

One of the many weapons available at the Bloods, Ellis is a multiple state country representative with the ability to play in multiple positions.

The wiry midfielder can also play off half-back and has searing leg speed.

Courageous in the contest, Ellis can also hurt oppositions in the air and has the ability to push forward to become an attacking option, booting 19 goals from 15 games this season.

5. RYLEY MAITLAND

(Moonta)

Silky Moonta midfielder Riley Maitland. Picture: Moonta Football Club

The Eastern Eyre Mail medallist from last season has been an excellent pick up for the Demons, featuring in the club’s best players 12 times from 15 games in 2022.

A tough onballer who fiercely attacks the ball, the former Kimba star is a pro at getting his arms free to distribute ball.

Maitland also boasts reliable skills and has an immense work rate.

4. ANGUS POOLE

(Kadina)

Angus Poole has been a catalyst for Kadina’s success in season 2022. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Previously formed a powerful one-two combination with Jake Von Bertouch at Woodville West Torrens, Poole is now doing the same with the gun forward at Kadina.

An SANFL veteran of 137 league games, including two premierships, Poole is a contested possession beast in the middle of the ground.

Capable of winning his own ball, the experienced midfielder is also a strong two-way runner.

3. TYLER ANDREWS

(Moonta)

Tyler Andrews remains one of the best midfielders in the YPFL. Picture: Moonta Football Club

The YPFL’s Mail medallist in 2019 and a state country representative in 2021, Andrews is a skilled midfielder who runs hard and can also hit the scoreboard.

Having only played eight games so far in 2022, the silky Demons onballer has booted 15 goals to go with five best-player appearances.

2. MURPHY SHORT

(CMS)

CMS Crows gun Murphy Short (left) with teammate Ben Edwards. Picture: CMS Crows Football Club

Short is a ball-magnet midfielder who is clean and hard at the contest, reads the play well and is a great distributor.

The YPFL’s 2021 Mail medallist, the gun onballer has again been in great form this season, racking up 12 best-player mentions from 15 games and helping the Crows to sit top of the table.

1. JAKE VON BERTOUCH

(Kadina)

Jake Von Bertouch has made an instant impact at Kadina. Picture: Dean Martin

A pure centre half-forward, Von Bertouch has 130 SANFL league games under his belt and a premiership with the Eagles to boot.

Hard working and with a strong set of hands, the imposing forward is a nightmare for opposition defenders, rarely losing a one-on-one contest.

One of the competition’s best set shots, Von Bertouch has been in stunning touch for the Bloods in 2022, slotting 66 majors from 14 games, including a haul of 12 against Ardrossan in round 13.