The Advertiser’s top 25 SANFL players for 2020 according to Warren Partland and Patrick Keam
The SANFL’s 2020 playing lists are arguably as talented as any year in recent memory. Football writers Warren Partland and Patrick Keam have named their top 25 players in the league.
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The SANFL’s 2020 playing lists are arguably as talented as any year in recent memory.
Although play has been delayed for this season, The Advertiser’s SANFL writer Warren Partland and Messenger football reporter Patrick Keam have named their top 25 players for 2020.
While AFL-listed Crows and Power players were not considered, a stack of stars with experience at the top level have joined the league and feature heavily.
In fact, with 19 players with AFL experience joining the league this season, they proved some of the most difficult to place.
Weight has been given to 2019 performances but previous seasons have also come into consideration.
25 – ABE DAVIS (STURT)
Has opted to move to Unley Oval after three years with South Adelaide and will give the Double Blues a quality, big body in the midfield. A tough match up because of his size, he can also go forward to pull down strong marks and kick goals.
24 – JARRED ALLMOND (NORTH ADELAIDE)
The Roosters’ Mr Consistent with a booming left foot had a career-high year statistically in 2019. Sixth in the competition for disposals with 25.9 per game, Allmond slots in nicely at number 24.
23 – SAM BAULDERSTONE (NORWOOD)
With Keegan Brooksby having another crack at the AFL, the Redlegs bigman holds his position as the leading ruckman in the competition. Often gives his midfield first look at the ball with his ability to use his body and nous. Expect the big bloke to have a cracking season.
22 – JACK HAYES (EAGLES)
Hayes is highly-rated at Oval Ave and rightly so after ranking second in the league for contested marks in 2019. Straighter goal kicking and a more consistent output hold the 24-year-old forward back from placing higher in this list.
21 – LEWIS JOHNSTON (NORWOOD)
Just where to place Johnston in the list is always a healthy debate. Not surprisingly, finished third in the Magarey Medal last year. Gets a heap of possessions and would be noticed by the umpires as the link man for the Redlegs, who like the ball in his hands because he uses it well. Doesn’t spend as much time in attack as his early days.
20 – LIAM MCBEAN (GLENELG)
The reigning Ken Farmer Medallist provided a match-up nightmare for opposition defenders all year in the Bays’ 2019 success. His 46 goals were a highlight of Glenelg’s powerful and productive attacking set up.
19 – TRAVIS SCHILLER (CENTRAL DISTRICT)
The start to his season was going to be delayed anyway because of a fractured foot. Never far from the action for the Bulldogs and consistently among the leading possession winners in the competition. The main spark for any attacking raids and gets knocked around in most games, only to jump to his feet and stay in the contest.
18 – KAINE STEVENS (WEST ADELAIDE)
Whether it’s doing the dirty work in the contest or bursting out of a stoppage with speed, there are very few West Adelaide games where Kaine Stevens does not have an influence. The Bloods midfielder has been as consistent as they come in recent years and well and truly deserves a spot in the top 25.
17 – MAX PROUD (GLENELG)
Being injury free has allowed the key defender to showcase his true talents and establish himself as the leading full back in the league. Gets to stand the opposition’s biggest attacking weapon and never deviates from the job. Has been appointed captain this season, glaring evidence of his standing at the Bay.
16 – BILLY HARTUNG (NORTH ADELAIDE)
Hartung brings a stack of speed and run, along with 76 games of AFL experience, to Prospect Oval. We can see the 25-year-old’s stock rising in the SANFL but is placed lower due to spending 2018 away from state league football and playing at suburban level in Melbourne.
15 – JAMES BATTERSBY (STURT)
There is a reason Battersby was named captain of Sturt for this season. He is highly respected among his teammates and attacks each game with 100 per cent devotion to the club. Only too happy to get his hands dirty in the packs and will work tirelessly all day on the ball.
14 – MATTHEW PANOS (NORWOOD)
Will we see a revitalised Matthew Panos in 2020 as he takes the role as Norwood skipper? The 29-year-old was one of a few Redlegs whose 2019 output did not match the previous season. Super damaging on his day and could benefit with more quality additions to the Norwood midfield.
13 – ANDREW MOORE (NORTH ADELAIDE)
An impressive pick up by North Adelaide, where he played under the old system when with Port Adelaide. Made 55 appearances for the Power and five for Richmond. Has been with Box Hill for the past three years, the last two as skipper. Led the club to the 2018 flag, the same year he was named best and fairest. Gives the Roosters a strong body on the ball and can be a dangerous forward weapon.
12 – MITCH GRIGG (NORWOOD)
While 2019 was not a vintage Mitch Grigg campaign, we’re backing in the Redlegs’ gun to return to form. Norwood’s main man’s disposals per game dropped by five from 2018 to 2019 and he kicked 25 fewer goals than that barnstorming season. But at his best Grigg is lock as top three players in the competition and we could not place him any lower than 12th.
11 – JORDAN FOOTE (EAGLES)
Such was his impact in his debut season with Woodville-West Torrens last year, the midfielder comfortably won the club champion award. Foote joined the club from Sydney were he played six AFL games. Never stopped working on the ball and even when the Eagles had some ordinary days, he was still outstanding.
10 – MATT WRIGHT (ADELAIDE)
When he retired from the AFL at the end of the 2018 season, it was not because he was unwanted, it was to accept a development coaching role at Adelaide. After 94 games with the Crows and then 65 with Carlton (for a combined 136 goals) he was still well and truly capable of performing at the highest level. Highly respected, he spends plenty of time on the field directing his young teammates.
9 – MATTHEW BROADBENT (SOUTH ADELAIDE)
A popular player in his 11 years at Port Adelaide, Broadbent played 171 games after being drafted from Woodville-West Torrens. Opted to sign with South Adelaide and has settled in well at Noarlunga. Best known for his work in defence, he can be used further up the ground and his experience and elite kick will be valuable assets for the Panthers.
8 – ZANE KIRKWOOD (STURT)
Sturt’s star man Kirkwood may have relinquished the reins as skipper but don’t think for a second his influence is going to drop. Although the dual Magarey Medallist’s performances last year may not have hit the heights of those in the Double Blues’ back-to-back flag-winning seasons, Kirkwood remains one of the best midfielders going around.
7 – TYSON GOLDSACK (PORT ADELAIDE)
Just where to rank the former Collingwood star created some debate. The utility is an AFL premiership player with the Magpies and made 165 appearances for the club. Hasn’t played an AFL games since 2018, however, with the last of those games was in the narrow grand final loss to West Coast. Has plenty of courage and can be used in a variety of roles.
6 – SAM COLQUHOUN (STURT)
Ball magnet is easily the most apt description of Sturt star Colquhoun. Fourth-placed in last year’s Magarey Medal count, no player in the SANFL had more touches than the former Port Adelaide on-baller in 2019.
5 – JOEL CROSS (SOUTH ADELAIDE)
Do not be deceived by the talk of the dual Magarey Medallist spending his days in the South Adelaide forward line. The veteran still ventures into the midfield and is extremely creative no matter he is standing on the field. Has not lost any of his competitiveness, hunger to take the hanger or class. As wily as they come.
4 – RYAN BASTINAC (NORWOOD)
Bastinac arrives in SA as a serious contender for the tag as the competition’s top midfielder with 164 games under his belt and in his prime at 28 years of age. Although he was delisted by Brisbane, the former Kangaroo won the Lions’ reserves best and fairest last season while captaining them to an undefeated NEAFL flag.
3 – RICHARD DOUGLAS (NORWOOD)
When you play 246 AFL games (ninth highest in Adelaide’s history), kick 164 goals, win a club champion award and are an All Australian nominee you obviously have plenty of talent. Cut by the Crows at the end of last season as part of their rebuilding process, but brings a wealth of experience and class to the Redlegs.
2 – DANIEL MENZEL (CENTRAL DISTRICT)
If this list was judged on pure talent, there would be a strong case for Menzel to hold the number one spot. The 28-year-old former Geelong and Sydney forward will provide one of the hardest match-ups at SANFL level and deserves a high position ahead of his first season with brother Troy at the Dogs.
1 – LUKE PARTINGTON (GLENELG)
We had to opt for the midfielder in top spot after deservedly claiming the Magarey Medal last season. Rather than have a let down after being delisted by West Coast, Partington was simply outstanding for the Tigers and his consistency and reliability were incredible.