Country AFL: South Coast, Canberra and Sapphire Coast best players
They’re the hidden country footy gems from the South Coast regions of NSW. Here’s 30+ of the best from the three major competitions.
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From Wollongong to the Victorian border, the South Coast region of NSW is home to some of the best hidden gems in country footy.
With three major competitions on the books, there is plenty of talent on show.
Here’s a look at some of the best players and rising stars to shine in 2024.
KYLE O’MALLEY, BATEMANS BAY SEAHAWKS (CANBERRA)
Forward/Midfield
With a reputation as the best small forward in the competition, Kyle has added midfield minutes to his repertoire in 2024. With blistering pace and exceptional skills, he is arguably the best player in Canberra community football.
MICHAEL THANE, BATEMANS BAY SEAHAWKS (CANBERRA)
Midfield
Last year’s Division One best and fairest winner, Michael is one of the hardest players for opposition players to match up. Over 183cm tall and one of the fittest and fastest in the comp, the Seahawks co-captain leads from the front.
CALEB HIGGINS, NORTHERN DISTRICTS TIGERS (SOUTH COAST)
Full forward
Don’t be fooled by Caleb’s ungainly appearance. The former best and fairest winner has a unique ability to find space and was one of the best on ground in this year’s grand final.
HEATH BEAUMONT, NORTHERN DISTRICTS TIGERS (SOUTH COAST)
Forward
Unstoppable when on song, Heath is a genuine match winner with a high vertical leap and safe hands. Named in the South Coast team of the year, his forward craft is second to none.
RYAN DUNN, NORTHERN DISTRICTS TIGERS (SOUTH COAST)
Half forward
He’s not the biggest going around, but this boy from Leeton knows how to find the footy. Can play midfield, and in dry and wet weather Ryan knows how to hit the forwards on the chest.
JEDD MARTYN, MERIMBULA RSL (SAPPHIRE COAST)
Midfielder
Jedd is a local junior who has become one of the best midfielders on the Sapphire Coast. Brings pace on the outside and for his height he has incredible hands above his head, which creates mismatches when he drifts forward.
DYLAN JORDAN, MERIMBULA RSL (SAPPHIRE COAST)
Centre half forward
Another local junior who is also a high achieving cricketer. Big, fast and hard at the contest, Dylan can crash packs and is a threat from within 60m of goal. His six goals in the grand final helped kick Merimbula to this year’s title.
JARROD THOMPSON, BATEMANS BAY SEAHAWKS (CANBERRA)
Midfield/Forward
The brains behind the Seahawks midfield, Jarrod is one of the smartest and silkiest footballers in the comp. A crafty midfielder, he loves to go forward and also knows how to hit the scoreboard.
JOSEPH TEGART, BATEMANS BAY SEAHAWKS (CANBERRA)
Ruck
Never beaten in the ruck, Joey more often than not gives his midfielders first use of the ball. An exceptional ruckman who not only dominates the hit outs, he is equally effective around the ground as a big marking target.
JACOB HENNESSY, FIGTREE KANGAROOS (SOUTH COAST)
Midfield
The Kangaroos skipper is a two-time winner of the Tunbridge Medal, awarded to the best player in the South Coast competition. One of the most respected in the region, Jacob is an amazing gut-runner with the polish to match.
DARCY HENNESSY, FIGTREE KANGAROOS (SOUTH COAST)
Wing/Midfield
The young brother of Jacob, Darcy has really burst onto the scene this year. Runs all day and has a lethal left foot kick.
THOMAS HODGE, NAROOMA LIONS (SAPPHIRE COAST)
Midfield
The hard at it midfielder picked up Narooma’s best and fairest award and finished runner-up for the competition’s top gong.
HARRISON BROMWICH, NAROOMA LIONS (SAPPHIRE COAST)
Half forward/Half back
A teenager on the rise, Harrison is a young Lion with a bright future. An elite runner, he has speed to burn and with a great grab, he’s a major threat at either end of the field.
JONO SMEDLEY, BERMAGUI BREAKERS (SAPPHIRE COAST)
Full forward
After shedding 20kg to join his mates in the middle, the big fella delivered in front of goal with a season best 48 majors in the regular rounds. Rugged and agile, his wife, son and daughter also play footy for the club.
DANIEL SMITH, BERMAGUI BREAKERS (SAPPHIRE COAST)
Centre
A runaway winner as this season’s best and fairest in the Sapphire Coast comp, Daniel is a coach’s dream. Glides across the turf and goes about his business unflustered and never gets upset.
BUSTER WARE, BATEMANS BAY SEAHAWKS (CANBERRA)
Forward
A difficult match up for any backline, Buster finished the season as Division One leading goalkicker. Can play deep or move up the ground, rarely misses inside 50 and is strong overhead.
JACK WESTOLL, NAROOMA LIONS (SAPPHIRE COAST)
Half back
Arguably the top defender in the comp, Jack knows how to shut down a raid and rarely concedes a goal. An efficient mover of the ball, he’s a Lions favourite.
EDDIE KEOGH, WOLLONGONG BULLDOGS (SOUTH COAST)
Half forward
A reliable force in the Bulldogs line-up, Eddie loves the big stage and won the medal as best on ground in Wollongong’s narrow grand final victory.
MITCH TAYLOR, WOLLONGONG BULLDOGS (SOUTH COAST)
Midfield
Among the top players in the competition, the prized midfielder scored a victory medal in his first grand final and capped off a fine season as runner-up player of the year.
JASON SAUILUMA, NAROOMA LIONS (SAPPHIRE COAST)
Midfield
A three-time premiership winner with Narooma, Jason has won numerous best and fairest awards along the way. A powerhouse with and without the ball, his opponents will be happy he has called time on a respected career.
JACOB MAY, FIGTREE KANGAROOS (SOUTH COAST)
Midfield
One of the elite midfielders on the South Coast, originally from North Wagga, Jacob has dominated for the past two seasons. Very difficult to match up on, he was crowned this season’s Tunbridge Medal winner.
CIARAN FLYNN, NORTHERN DISTRICTS TIGERS (SOUTH COAST)
Centre half forward
A colossus in the forward line, the 20-year-old slotted three majors in this year’s grand final. Among the best in the comp, the former Swans Academy member is a handful for any backline.
JEREMY WOODFORD, NORTHERN DISTRICTS TIGERS (SOUTH COAST)
Midfield
A local boy with elite skills who always hits his targets, Jeremy has an innate desire to win the ball and brings a wealth of experience from the Swans Academy.
ANGUS BOULTON, NORTHERN DISTRICTS TIGERS (SOUTH COAST)
Halfback
Known as one of the top running backs in the league, Angus reads the play and has a habit of taking the right option. Smart in defence, he knows when to mark or go the spoil.
JYE FORBES, BERMAGUI BREAKERS (SAPPHIRE COAST)
Wing
Still only 16, Jye started the season in under-17s before cracking the top grade. Holds his own in elite company and uses immense core strength to remain hard at the ball.
MITCH DAVIES, MERIMBULA RSL (SAPPHIRE COAST)
Center half back
Mitch has completed his first season on the Sapphire Coast since arriving from Gippsland. Reads the play better than most and has an ability to float across the pack, where his strong marking skills diffuse incoming attacks.
BRENDAN MYERS, FIGTREE KANGAROOS (SOUTH COAST)
Half back/Half forward
Amazing disposal with both feet, Brendan is one the smartest players on field, often dictating the play with his game knowledge and poise.
NOAH OVEREND, MERIMBULA RSL (SAPPHIRE COAST)
Midfielder
A naturally gifted athlete who excels at both soccer and AFL, Noah is able to evade his opponents all day. An absolute standout in Merimbula’s grand final victory, he was awarded best on ground.
EDOARDO CEMENTON, BERMAGUI BREAKERS (SAPPHIRE COAST)
Half back
Standing at 188 cm, this gangly youngster is a mix of height and deception. Knows how to win possession, and has an uncanny knack of picking up the ball while at top pace.
DYLAN SANDERSON, FIGTREE KANGAROOS (SOUTH COAST)
Full forward
A big bodied forward who is a struggle to contain, Dylan combines size, speed and strength to usually carry home a big bag of goals.
SAM HOY, BERMAGUI BREAKERS (SAPPHIRE COAST)
Flank on-baller
Another of Bermagui’s young brigade, Sam won the club’s under-17 best and fairest award. Still only 16, he’s had a taste of senior footy and is one to keep an eye on next season.
RYAN ALLEN, WOLLONGONG BULLDOGS (SOUTH COAST)
Midfield
The premiership winning skipper is a key figure in the Bulldogs’ engine room. Knows the game inside out and brings all manner of tricks to negotiate the heaviest of traffic.
REECE MOULDEN, MERIMBULA RSL (SAPPHIRE COAST)
Midfielder
The heart and soul of Merimbula, Reece is a local junior who is harder than a cat head. They reckon “Rooster” will do anything for his teammates, and always puts his head over the ball.
JORDAN LANG, NAROOMA LIONS (SAPPHIRE COAST)
Ruck
A big boy, Jordan nudges 200 cm and usually gets the Lions moving with early ball. Has a giant leap, and can kick goals too.
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