Top 20 Black Diamond AFL players of 2021

With Central Coast teams ruled out and the Hunter facing an extended lockdown, we run the rule over who would have lit up the Black Diamond AFL in the run home to finals.

The 2021 Black Diamond AFL season will be forever marked with an “asterisk”.

With Central Coast teams ruled out and the Hunter facing an extended lockdown, the season is starring down the barrel of total collapse.

It will go down as the season that never was.

But despite the global pandemic there were glimpses of brilliance at the start of the year from emerging stars of tomorrow to club stalwarts showing the next generation they still have what it takes to dominate at a senior level.

The Newcastle News and Central Coast Express Advocate asked a former ALF scout to run the rule over the Black Diamond’s top 20 players of 2021.

In no particular order here’s his picks.

■ James Webster (Terrigal Avoca)

Elite onballer. A well-balanced player who always has time and makes excellent decisions and can execute on both sides of his body. Has the ability to drifty forward and kick goals. A three-time Elliott-Davey Medallist and two-time McBain Medallist (Best on Ground in Grand Final) and arguably the greatest player in AFL Hunter Coast/BDAFL history.

James Webster is arguable the best BDAFL player ever. Picture: Dave Bennett, Elite Sports Images

■ Jack Grimmond (Terrigal Avoca)

Hard-nosed onballer with an excellent work ethic. Finds plenty of the ball on the inside and adds physical pressure around the contest. Club’s best and fairest in 2019.

Jack Grimmond has been one of Terrigal’s best. Picture: Sue Graham

■ Jayson Van Dam (Terrigal Avoca)

The premier centre half back in the league for over a decade. The leader across the formidable Panthers backline who is rarely beaten in the air and through his directional talk and energy, creates an almost impenetrable defensive unit.

Terrigal-Avoca's Jayson Van Dam is strong in the air. Picture: file

■ Mitchell Price (Terrigal Avoca)

Arrived at the Panthers in 2020 and won the Elliott-Davey Medal. A big-bodied ruckman who reads the game exceptionally well. Dominates across the ground at stoppages and provides a great marking target.

■ Mitchell Crawford (Newcastle)

Gifted full-forward who returned to the Blues this season after a stint in the US playing American football. Given his pace, good leap and strong hands, he presents a difficult matchup. Has won plenty of games off his own boot and remains at the top of the goal kicking ladder with 36 majors.

■ Matthew Bailey (Newcastle)

Talented footballer who played his earlier years across half back before playing predominately through the midfield for the Blues this season. Dominate in both the air and on the ground and possesses a punishing kick.

■ Connor Haswell (Newcastle)

Ex-junior who is now a premier half back flanker. Reads the game well and is one of the best intercept markers in the league. Aside from his elite marking, he has a damaging kick and an ability to drift forward and kick goals.

■ Macaulay O’Malley (Newcastle)

No-nonsense midfielder who brings plenty of grunt to the Blues midfield.

■ Brendan Lewis (Killarney Vale)

Ex-junior with great versatility. Plays predominately across half back, but can also play forward. Has great football smarts, an elite mark and decision maker. The general across the Bombers’ backline.

Killarney Vale's Brendan Lewis has been a mainstay of the Bombers for years.

■ Damien Hector (Killarney Vale)

Arrived at the Bombers in 2020 and made an immediate impact. A hard-bodied midfielder who plays well on the inside and outside. Elite skills and a great communicator.

■ Josh Mifsud (Killarney Vale)

Gifted on-baller with phenomenal ability to win contested ball. Despite his short stature, plays strong in the air and wracks up possessions at will.

Killarney Vale’s Josh Misfud has been one of the club’s best for a long time.

■ Aaron Duncan (Killarney Vale)

New to the Bombers in 2021. Strong midfielder with exceptional skills and decision making. Great work-ethic and ability to push forward and hurt opposition sides on the scoreboard.

■ Luke Roach (Warners Bay)

Can play anywhere from centre half back to centre half forward or through the midfield. Exceptional mark and hard at the contest, Roach can turn a game with his long kick, strong hands and powerful presence.

■ Jack Hardman (Warners Bay)

Arguably the most dangerous small forward in the competition. His lightning speed and agility, clean hands and sharpshooting make him almost impossible to contain.

■ Nick Tomlinson (Cardiff)

Exceptional leader who, since joining the Hawks has proven to be one of the premier flankers in the competition. A great reader of the game who is damaging either behind or in front of the ball.

■ Marcus DeLuer (Cardiff)

Talented footballer who moves effortlessly around the ground. Elite midfielder for the Hawks for a number of years who is the complete package.

■ Andrew Scott (Singleton)

Former Elliott-Davey Medallist, considered by many as the most damaging player in the league. A strong, experienced player who can break a tag and dominate in the big moments.

■ Sam Brassington (Singleton)

Mobile centre half forward with strong hands and an amazing contested mark. Absolute match winner.

■ Patrick Murphy (Gosford)

Strong key position player with great physical presence. A dominate force across the Tigers half back line.

■ Pat McMahon (Maitland)

Elite centre half back and the strongest mark in the league, who proves week in, week out to be an absolute rock for the Saints.

Maitland’s Pat McMahon, in the thick of the action during a rep game against Sydney. Picture: Peter Clark