Which big AFL names made an impact in South Australian country football across the past 10 years?
From Wanganeen to McLeod, who were our most interesting names to feature on the South Australian country ovals this decade?
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Country leagues are packed with locals wanting to have a kick, but they’ve also seen some of the all-time greats from AFL level.
From former Brownlow Medallists to iconic full forwards, the country has seen it all across the 2010s.
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Here’s the list of the best who have graced the country ovals, what they achieved and where they did the damage.
1. Jason Akermanis (Ports, Gawler Central & North Clare – 2012)
The 2001 Brownlow Medallist was on a tour around the country, helping clubs gather funds with playing appearances and a sportsman’s nights.
The former Brisbane Lion and Western Bulldog started his trek in South Australia in the Eastern Eyre competition, helping Ports defeat Eastern Ranges by seven points.
He was named as Ports’ sixth best on ground.
His next game came in the Barossa, Light & Gawler Football Association with bottom side Gawler Central.
He helped the Tigers with four goals and nearly 30 touches, as they avoided the wooden spoon with a win over Angaston.
Finally, ‘Aker’ snagged three for North Clare as they defeated BSR in the North Eastern Football League.
2. Matthew Lloyd (Penola – 2016)
Over 900 goals at AFL level, three Coleman Medals, and 12 time Essendon leading goal-kicker, Lloyd was a class recruit for Penola in a one-off appearance.
Poor old Kaniva Leeor United, which was struggling up in the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League was forced to come against the Bombers legend.
After three hours, Lloyd had kicked 14 and Penola had won by 242 points.
Talk about a cameo.
3. Gavin Wanganeen (Moonta – 2019)
The two-time premiership player and 1993 Brownlow Medallist announced he was making an on-field return via Instagram.
At the ripe age of 46, ‘Wangas’ said he had put through a clearance to play in the Yorke Peninsula Football League.
He made his debut against Wallaroo in a 27-point win, kicking four majors.
He played another game against the Southern Eagles before he played a game in the B-grade against Kadina.
4. Travis Head (South Gawler – 2010-11)
Along with being a terrific cricketer, Head wasn’t a bad footballer either, and played A-grade football as an under 17.
He made his debut for the Lions in 2010 in a heavy loss to Barossa District, and earned a position as third best for his side.
His 2011 season as impressive, kicking nine goals in five appearances, including four against Freeling.
5. Peter Burgoyne (United – 2010-11)
The 2004 Port Adelaide premiership player arrived in the APFL ready to make an impact, and he did.
Despite the Tigers not celebrating any premiership success, Burgoyne was a hit, booting 43 goals in his first season after just 14 games – including seven against Hamley Bridge.
In his second campaign, he kicked 36 in 11, which had two more bags of seven, one against Virginia and another facing the Bombers.
6. Andrew McLeod (Meningie – 2012)
The dual Norm Smith Medallist retired from the Adelaide Crows at the end of 2010, and he made a quick impact during his 2012 campaign with Meningie.
He booted 18 goals in eight matches, including four in a losing semi-final to Ramblers.
During his time, he was joined by former North Melbourne and Port Adelaide forward Daniel Motlop.
7. Shane Crawford (Bridgewater Callington – 2016)
The 1999 Brownlow Medallist played seven games for the Bridgewater Callington Raiders’ C-grade and suffered some heavy defeats.
The club had been belted week in, week out.
Yet, in the seventh game, the Raiders got a win over fellow struggler Milang, which was Crawf’s last game in that grade.
He moved onto the reserves, and helped them to a win over Nairne Bremer.
8. Roger James (Barossa District – 2010-15, Kersbrook – 2016-18; Freeling – 2019-Present)
A country boy in his own right, Roger James has had an impact in country football this past decade.
The Port Adelaide premiership player joined Barossa District in 2010, and as a player-coach, guided the Bulldogs to back-to-back flags in 2012 and 2013.
He then made the move across to Kersbrook in the Adelaide Hills, booting 26 goals in five matches in 2016.
He’s now the senior coach at Freeling, back in the Barossa, Light & Gawler competition.
9. Angus Monfries (Kybybolite – 2018)
The former Power and Bombers gun had a one-off match in the KNTFL and tore it up.
Playing for the Tigers, Monfries had a lazy day out with six majors as Kybybolite blitzed Kingston by 65 points.
Not quite the impact of Matty Lloyd, but a terrific impact nonetheless.
10. Joey Wagner (Tasman – 2013; 2017-19)
The first ever winner of reality show ‘The Recruit’ had just one season on Port Adelaide’s list before being cut.
Yet, because of his pathway to the AFL, he automatically gets an entry on this list.
Wagner has been impressive for Tasman in the Port Lincoln league, booting 61 goals in 2018 and 72 goals in 2019.
He snagged a bag of 11 against Boston and another of nine, also against Boston.
Honourable mentions:
Dean Terlich (Tanunda – 2018-present), Henry Slattery (Nuriootpa – 2015; 2017-19), Steve Summerton (Angaston – 2019-present), Kent Kingsley (Angaston – 2010-11), Paul Stewart (Lucindale – 2019), Ian Perrie (Encounter Bay – 2012-13; Padthaway – 2014), Scott Welsh (Encounter Bay – 2013; Padthaway – 2014-16), Corey Enright (Kimba – 2017), Ryan Griffen (Goolwa-Port Elliott – 2019), Michael Doughty (Reynella – 2013-17), Mark Soderstrom (Angle Vale – 2016), Josh Glenn (Willaston – 2016), James Sellar (Langhorne Creek – 2019), Matthew Campbell (Hummocks-Watchman – 2015), Brett James (Kersbrook – 2010-19), Graham Johncock (Mallee Park – 2014; 2018-19), Tom Logan (Lucindale – 2016-19), Brett Ebert (Goolwa – 2017), Jack Madgen (Barossa District – 2010-11), Cameron Hitchcock (Kaniva Leeor United – 2017-19), Nathan Eagleton (Happy Valley – 2012-13), Clive Waterhouse (Mannum – 2011), Simon Cox (Naracoorte – 2011-19), Daniel Motlop (Meningie 2012-13, Ironbank – 2014-15, Onkaparinga Valley – 2016), Andrew Jarman (Ironbank – 2014-15).