Warren Partland, Mark Soderstrom count down the best 50 players in the SANFL

JUST who is the best player in the SANFL? Warren Partland and Mark Soderstrom have come up with a list of the state league’s most talented and count down the top 50.

Warren Partland

2 min read

April 9, 2018 - 4:00PM

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JUST who is the best player in the SANFL state league?

Last season, the umpires judged onballer Mitch Grigg deserved that title with his Magarey Medal triumph in his return to Norwood after four years with Adelaide.

South Adelaide midfielder Joel Cross and Sturt captain Zane Kirkwood have twice won the competition’s highest individual honour.

But are they the best of the best in the SANFL?

It is a tough question which Channel 7 and Mix 102.3 personality Mark Soderstrom and yours truly have attempted to find an answer.

Not only have we decided which player should be ranked on top, but we have come up with a list comprising who we believe are the leading 50 players in the competition. Ten players will be announced for each of the next five days until the player we rate as the very best in the league is revealed on Friday.

Glenelg recruit Jesse White goes up against South co-captain Keegan Brooksby. PIC: TAIT SCHMAAL.

North Adelaide’s WA recruit Aidan Tropiano. Picture: Tom Huntley

No doubt there will be plenty of debate, there will be quality players who miss a spot and there will be players a little miffed.

“It has been unbelievably challenging job and will cause some conversation among SANFL supporters and members,” Soderstrom said.

“To line blokes up against each other and say one is better than the other, I expect there will certainly be some disagreement among people where guys sit.

“But that is the beauty of doing an exercise like this. One thing we have discovered, although we probably already knew, is there are some really really high quality players in the SANFL competition.

“Each year there are young players who get their opportunity at AFL level as well as mature age guys like Nick Holman who are getting another chance at AFL. He would be ranked very high on the list if he was still at Central District.

“It is still very clear the SANFL competition is the best state league in Australia.”

To be ranked in the top 50, players must have performed in the SANFL before this season. Jesse White has made 127 AFL appearances, Aidan Tropiano is a Sandover Medallist and Michael Talia, Declan Hamilton and Luke Surman are obviously talented.

But where to rank them is just too difficult without watching them perform in the competition. And AFL-listed players could not be considered.

Today, we name the players from 41-50 on the list. And there is immediately a huge talking point with Woodville-West Torrens young gun Jack Lukosius named at No. 41.

The key forward has played just two SANFL league games, but his actions in the finals last year showcased his incredible ability and provided ample more evidence why he has become a prime target for AFL clubs.

50: Sam Overall (South Adelaide)