Revealed: See who you voted as the best ACT/Country NSW Aussie rules player of 2023
They’re the stars of the bush and the regions who have been simply unstoppable throughout the year. See who you voted for as the best Aussie rules player from ACT/Country NSW for 2023.
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They’re the stars of the bush and the regions who have been lighting up AFL paddocks throughout 2023.
Premierships, best and fairest gongs, and the adoration of the locals have greeted these Aussie rules guns.
After giving you the chance to vote for your favourite among the 70 nominations, Terrigal-Avoca’s Adam Miller was crowned the best.
Amassing 29 per cent of the vote, he was a popular winner, ahead of Bryce McPherson (Lake Cargelligo) and Aidan Wallace (Coffs Harbour) who both polled 17 per cent.
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BROKEN HILL
MARC ‘NUGGET’ PURCELL
South Broken Hill
Midfielder
The league’s dominant midfielder and A-Grade club captain topped off another stellar year taking out the league’s top awards, Lionel Johnston Medal and the Mail Medal. Purcell claimed his seventh club Best and Fairest. He was a key part in the club winning its fifth-straight flag, and has now amassed over 220 games across 16 senior seasons with the Kangaroos.
CODY ‘CAT’ SCHORN
South Broken Hill
Full Forward
In the conversation with Broken Hill’s best ever full forwards, Schorn is adept at keeping his feet and slotting goals from just about anywhere in the forward line. During this season he came up with the incredible feat of kicking 19 majors in a game, before finishing the season breaking the century with 105 goals. That gave him his eighth league title for goal kicking.
JORDAN GILBY
Central Broken Hill
Defender
Had a share of third spot in the Brett Morris Medal count for his club’s best and fairest, and was named co-Best Backman of AFL Broken Hill for his exploits in the defensive line. A hard man to score on.
NICK DEVOY
Central Broken Hill
Took out the Brett Morris Medal for Central Broken Hill’s A-grade player of the year after another superb season. A young gun who has had a big influence on the club he has played for since his junior years.
DANIEL MILNE
West Broken Hill
Rewarded for a memorable season by taking out the club’s Best and Fairest Medal. That makes it back-to-back gongs for Milne and a tremendous reward for his elite player over the years for the club.
CANBERRA
TOM TYQUIN
Ainslee Tricolours
Midfielder
Tom came to Ainslie via St Bedes Mentone Tigers in the VAFA and made an immediate impact in the AFL Canberra competition. Known for his precision kicking and ability to make quality decisions with ball in hand, he was a handful for opposition teams. Tom was selected in the AFL Canberra team of the year and runner up in the Ainslie Senior Best and Fairest award.
GUY RICHARDSON
Ainslee Tricolours
Midfielder
An Ainslie junior who has taken his game to the next level in 2023. Guy is a complete midfielder, with the ability to win the ball on the inside and break away from the packs on the outside, delivering the football by hand or foot with great precision. He also added to his game in 2023, by going forward and kicking goals. Joint Mulrooney Medalist in 2023 and Ainslie Senior Best and Fairest winner.
THOMAS SIMPSON
Belconnen Magpies
Midfielder
Was crowned as the joint Mulrooney Medal winner for a fantastic season that also saw him named as Belconnen’s Best and Fairest after claiming the gong in 2022 as well. Was the leading goalscorer from the midfield and is a proud local junior of the club.
LUKE WHARTON
Belconnen Magpies
Half Back
The Belconnen junior took out last year’s Mulrooney Medal and he has been a top three in the Best and Fairest count for the past three seasons. A super athletic player with slick kicks that gets the Magpies on the front foot from the backline.
MATT REYNOLDS
Gungahlin Jets
Halfback Flank
Matthew Reynolds made his first grade debut in 2016 at 16 years old and hasn’t looked back amassing 108 senior games for the Jets. The silky back flanker was Gungahlin’s leading possession getter in 2023 averaging 23 disposals and topped his career best year off with the club’s Best and Fairest.
MACAULEY ‘MACCA’ SMITH
Gungahlin Jets
Ruck
Smith is a competitor in the ruck, using his large frame to crash packs and give his midfielders first hands on the footy. Smith’s first season with the Gungahlin Jets in 2023 saw him average 28 hit outs with four clearances to certainly prove he is more than just height.
AIDAN BOWYER
Queanbeyan Tigers
Claimed his second-straight Tony Wynd Medal as the Tigers best of the season. One of the club’s favourites for his dedication both on and off the field.
ISAAC EDGAR
Queanbeyan Tigers
Finished second in the Wynd Medal voting for another consistent season with Queanbeyan. Always has a big impact on the game.
NICK KELLY
Eastlake Demons
Claimed the Keith Miller Medal for best and fairest for the Demons throughout the year to go along with his Players Player honour.
CENTRAL WEST
ANDREW JAMES
Bathurst Bushrangers
Midfield
Captain of the Bushrangers who leads with his actions. An elite and efficient user of the football is complemented by his unmatched running ability that sees him rack up large amounts of disposals to dominate games. The 2023 season saw him earn his second Bushrangers and CWAFL League Best and Fairest.
MATTHEW ARCHER
Bathurst Bushrangers
Midfield/Forward
Archer manages to create more time and space than anyone on the field with his agility and ability to read the play and create space. When he isn’t leading the midfield, he is moving down forward to create a common mismatch to capitalise on the scoreboard and take over games.
COOPER BRIEN
Bathurst Giants
Forward
Was runner up in the Central West AFL Best and Fairest count, and lead the league in goalkicking with 45 majors for the season. Also took out the gong for Players Player at the Giants and was crowned as the club’s Best and Fairest.
LUKE MACAULEY
Bathurst Giants
A runner up in Best and Fairest honours behind Brien and was named as the club’s Best Player of the Finals in helping them take out the flag.
HUME
HAYDEN ARMSTRONG
Osborne
Forward
A serious target in the arc, the big man kicked seven majors to spearhead Osborne to this year’s title against Holdbrook. Shows no signs of slowing down, but in a blow for the Tigers the veteran will return to Canberra in 2024.
CONNOR GALVIN
Osborne
Midfield
Still among the standout players in the competition, Galvin is a multiple premiership and best and fairest winner who is well on the way to becoming a club legend.
TRENT CASTLES
Jindera
Forward
Castles returned to Jindera this season following a stint in the Riverina League. In an inconsistent side the veteran didn’t skip a beat, topping the charts with 71 goals in 14 matches, including a round six haul of nine against Culcairn.
HUNTER/CENTRAL COAST
MITCHELL CRAWFORD
Newcastle City Blues
The forward pocket ran riot in what was a dream 2023, kicking 52 goals to narrowly finish second in the goalscorer’s list while helping City win its first premiership since 2018.
If that wasn’t good enough, Crawford claimed the Elliot-Davey Medal for the competition’s Best and Fairest.
DAMIEN HECTOR
Killarney Vale Bombers
The big ruck rover was outstanding for the Bombers, seemingly making clearances and breaking into the forward line for fun throughout the year.
And while Killarney Vale fell short in defending its title, Hector was up there with the competition’s best, finishing just one vote shy of Crawford to be second in the Beast and fairest count.
MAX KING
Cardiff Hawks
An absolute star in the making, the 16-year-old enhanced his already huge reputation with an outstanding season for the Hawks.
The Swans Academy star more than handled the physicality of senior football by kicking a swag full of goals as Cardiff finished second before bowing out in the preliminary final.
ADAM MILLER
Terrigal-Avoca Panthers
Whether he played in the ruck, midfield or in the forwards, Miller was generally always up there with one of Killarney Vale’s best throughout the season.
Unsurprisingly he picked up the club’s most consistent award as the Black Diamond Cup side made it all the way to the grand final before losing by just nine points.
RILEY NEWSTEAD
Maitland Saints
The Saints skipper was immense as Maitland made history by qualifying for the finals in the men’s Black Diamond Cup for the first time in 2023.
Fit, fast and a great kick, he was super consistent for the team, picking up the club’s Best and Fairest and being a huge driving factor behind its success.
NORTHERN RIVERINA
NEIL MACFARLANE
Hillston
Midfielder
An absolute weapon in the midfield, has the pace and skills to put his side on the front foot and is a reliable finisher. Capped off a grand final victory by being crowned the best and fairest in the NRFL.
DAVE FELTON
Hillston
Forward
A cruel injury robbed the gun forward of a spot on grand final day. Showed his class throughout the season kicking 41 goals in 12 appearances.
BRYCE MCPHERSON
Lake Cargelligo
Midfielder
Consistent with the footy and a good decision maker, McPherson shot the lights out this season and finished second in the best and fairest count.
CODY COLLINS
Lake Cargelligo
Midfielder
Thrives on hard work and never flinches in any contest, one the other boys all look up to.
DEAN FAIR
Tullibigeal
Midfielder
Rated one of the best in a losing grand final side, Fair is a speed machine with silky skills. A highly rated organiser who can turn a game in the blink of an eye.
DYLAN BENDALL
Tullibigeal
Ruck
One of the rising talents of the league, Bendall is known for his never die attitude and willingness to get his hands dirty at every contest.
WILL MCMARTIN
West Wyalong Girral
Midfielder
The dependable midfielder reads the play well and has an uncanny knack of finding the ball when others can’t.
KIERAN DUNCAN
West Wyalong Girral
Highly rated as one of the most consistent contributors down back, Duncan holds his own against the best forwards running around.
HUGH WILLIAMS
Ungarie
Back
The young backman is a star of the future. Committed and blessed with footy smarts, Williams finished the season collecting the competition’s Rising Star award.
RYAN MCCLINTOCK
Ungarie
Forward/midfielder
Knows his way around the park and with plenty of run in the legs he’s among the wisest players in the comp. Tough and uncompromising, he’s a beast for any opponent.
NORTH COAST
TOM DICKSON
Port Macquarie Magpies
Scoring 85 goals across the season, including 73 in 13 home and away games, Dickson cemented his reputation as the sharpest shooter on the north coast with another brilliant season in front of goal to finish 20 clear of second best to claim the leading goalkicker’s award.
BLAYNE HULL
Byron Bay Magpies
The powerful midfielder was an absolute star for the Magpies as the team claimed both the minor and major premierships in Byron Bay’s dream first season in the competition.
With a clean set of hands and lethal shot in front of goal, Hull finished as the second-highest goalscorer for the season with 63 and went on to comfortably claim the Brian Saville Medal as the competition’s Best and Fairest.
JAI LANGENBERG
Sawtell-Toormina Saints
The new recruit made a huge impact for the Saints this season and was a driving force behind the team’s late-season run.
Playing mainly in the midfield and at times in the forwards, Langenberg well and truly showed the class that saw him play for the UNSW Bulldogs in last year’s Sydney competition, finishing second behind Hull in the Best and Fairest count.
BLAKE NOLL
Grafton Tigers
A really good young player who continued his rise this season, Noll might only be 21, but he showed experience and quality beyond his years to finish fourth in the competition’s Best and Fairest count in 2023.
KYE TAYLOR
Port Macquarie Magpies
The captain-coach led by example once again for the Port Magpies, who valiantly fell at the final hurdle in their attempt to go back to back.
An absolute gun player in his own right, Taylor continued to help bring through and develop the next generation in 2023 – all while coaching the team and setting the standards on the field.
LUKE VALDES
Grafton Tigers
The Tigers gun was outstanding in his return to the competition after several years playing in Queensland.
The sort of player who can rack up double-digit possessions or move forward and win a game by kicking a ball full of goals, Valdes showed his clash with some matchwinning displays for the Grafton side in 2023.
AIDAN WALLACE
Coffs Harbour Breakers
Too fast for people his own height, too strong for those who can match him for speed, Wallace is a 6’3 athletic freak who once again starred for the Breakers.
While the Coffs side has somewhat of a tough year to miss out on the finals, the big man proved to be a nightmare to mark, chalking up another excellent season to come equal fourth in the running for the Brian Saville Medal.
NORTH WEST
HAYDEN CHAPPEL
Inverell Saints
Has been one of the most consistent players in the competition, finishing third in the Best and Fairest voting after coming second in 2022.
COOPER TAVEIRA
Inverell Saints
Looks to have an incredibly bright future after taking out the AFL North West Rising Star of the Year award and polling the second most votes for the Saints in their premiership season. Not bad for a 17-year-old.
NOAH CONNICK
New England Nomads
Key Back/Forward
Noah is a versatile tall who can play as a key back or a key forward. He is an incredible intercept mark and teams who played against the Nomads needed to work out ways around him if they intended to score. He is remarkably versatile for a very tall man and claimed the Best and Fairest.
FRASER MENZIES
New England Nomads
Small Forward
Menzies finished the season as runner up in the club’s Best and Fairest count. He is a small forward who knows how to get himself into open space, and slotted over 70 goals for the year.
MATTHEW HALL
Tamworth Kangaroos
Midfielder/Rover
Hall has been the driving force behind the Tamworth Kangaroos for several years now. His voice and on the field presence continued to motivate and inspire his teammates throughout the year, bringing out the best in everyone and himself. Matthew is a skilful and dangerous player on field who is not afraid to put his head over the ball and produce fast, flowing game plays. Matthew felt that he had his best year in AFL this year cleaning up both club Best and Fairest and Players Player and also winning the league Best and Fairest, the Tony Gilles Medal.
CARL FRAZIER
Tamworth Kangaroos
Fullback
Carl has been with the Kangaroos now for 13 years and continues to bring knowledge and class to the current playing group. Carl has a reliable and footy driven mind that proceeds to provide great impact on any game day. Carl has a consistent, direct playing style creating a threatening backline in any situation. The Kangaroos can constantly rely on Carl to keep a strong backline with calm demeanour while also making clutch plays around the grounds.
MITCHELL SMALL
Tamworth Swans
Centre Half Back
Small is a tall defender, a strong intercept mark with safe hands above his head and a good read of the ball in the air. He has a penetrating kick when rebounding from defence and has a strong work ethic off the ball. Mitch is a good positive communicator and maintains a calm presence that improves the collective effectiveness of the backline.
WILL GEORGE
Tamworth Swans
Midfielder
George is a quiet achiever that is fourth in line a siblings that have been magnificent contributors for the Swans. He is a courageous inside midfielder who is never shy at a contested ball, and a reliable distributor of the ball by hand or by foot. Will grew in confidence in his second year of senior football and played well above his weight, shouldering a lot of responsibility for winning first use of the ball for the Swans.
RIVERINA
BRADLEY ASHCROFT
Turvey Park Bulldogs
Forward
Bagged five goals in the Bulldogs’ grand final victory to cap off a brilliant season up front with a season-high 69 majors. The 23-year-old GWS Academy rep continues to turn heads, and next season takes another step after signing with SANFL club North Adelaide.
LUKE FELLOWS
Turvey Park Bulldogs
Midfield
Crowned best a field on grand final day, the 20-year-old hard running midfielder accumulated plenty of ball and kicked two goals. Has already had a taste VFL and will push for higher honours next season alongside Ashcroft at North Adelaide.
ALEX PAGE
Griffith Swans
Midfield
Page kicked five goals and was Griffith’s best on ground in the grand final loss to Turvey Park. After one season with the Swans, the much sought-after midfielder has decided to return to Queanbeyan for the 2024 season.
SAM STENING
Collingullie Wagga Demons
Forward
The towering 20-year-old pathways rep had a season to remember for the fourth placed Demons, kicking 66 goals in 18 appearances.
SOUTH COAST
JACK WOECKEL-HYNES
Wollongong Bulldogs
Full forward
At his best this season, Woeckel-Hynes had kicked 29 goals in four games, shooting right to the top of the league’s goal scoring leaderboard.
Coming back from a tough year last year, Woeckel-Hynes really elevated his game in 2023, ending the season with 40 goals.
NICHOLAS STACEY
Figtree Kangaroos
Half back flank
A backman who very rarely gets beaten one-on-one, Stacey is a skilful left-footer who is one of the most talented in the league as running off the halfback.
BRANDON LAGANA
Figtree Kangaroos
Centre
“He’s just a bull effectively,” according to his coach. Lagana is a gun midfielder who can rotate to the forwards as well, damaging on the inside with the ball and dangerous in front of goal, kicking 15 goals this year. He’s also a terrific leader for his side, set to take on coaching responsibility in 2024.
MAX HARPER
Figtree Kangaroos
Wing
Last season with the Kangaroos before departing inland for Temora, Harper is a specialised winger who played the role exceptionally well in 2023. Runs just as hard in defence as in attack, is smart about when to go and when to hold, and is terrific at delivering the ball inside the 50.
BENJAMIN YAKIMOV
Figtree Kangaroos
Centre half forward
Adopted a new role in the forwards this year having played in the backline previously and did a terrific job. Like a typical forward he’s really smart with his body and won’t be beaten in contests with his aggression. Knows where to run and where to be to kick goals, nailing a whopping 71 this season, by far the most in the league.
JOEL BOTTIN-NOONAN
Figtree Kangaroos
Forward pocket
A “freaky” player who floats around a few roles in the midfield-forward rotation. A really smart player who’s quick on his feet and can break open a game by himself. Can have these incredible five-minute spurts of energy that totally change a game, a handy player to have on your side.
JACOB MAY
Figtree Kangaroos
Midfielder
In his first year with the Figtree side from Canberra, May was “unbelievable”. Has an uncanny ability to avoid defenders, whether it’s runnings in circles or taking back steps to find space, even his coach can’t figure out exactly how he does it. Makes a lot of smart decisions, putting the ball exactly to where he wants his players to run, bringing them in to the game with his influence on the park.
JEREMY WOODFORD
Northern Districts Tigers
Ruck rover
A “silky smooth player” who had the ball on a string this season. His skills are immaculate according to his coach, he knows how to get the ball in his hands and rarely misses a target. Was best on ground a league-high of 16 times this season.
CALEB HIGGINS
Northern Districts Tigers
Forward pocket
A modest player who doesn’t like the spotlight, but has earnt his plaudits with his performances in 2023. When the game is on the line, Higgins is the kind of player you want on your side. His coach says he “reads the game like nobody I’ve ever seen,” with a great footy brain and perfect target-hitting ability.
HEATH BEAUMONT
Northern Districts Tigers
Forward flank
An x-factor talent that can win a game on his own. For a small man he can take a spectacular mark, kicked 25 goals this year and is terrific at reading plays.
JAMES SCOTT
Shellharbour City Suns
Back pocket
One of the most physical players in the league, renowned for his aggression on the ball which makes him a standout on the park. A strong and vocal leader for his Suns.
JAROD FALCONER
Shellharbour City Suns
Back pocket
One of the premier players in the competition, Falconer always finishes around the top of the pile for BNF in the league. He’s fast, fit, extremely skilful and a worthy club captain for the Suns.
DAN POSCH
Shellharbour City Suns
Half forward flank
One of the most experienced players in the league and the coach of the Suns. Kicked a massive 41 goals this year, the most in his team and the third most in the league, proving he’s an excellent target man up the top of the field.
LACHLAN KONZA
Wollongong Lions
Half back flank
The captain of the Lions who leads from the front. Was thrown around a bit this years in terms of positions on the park as a bit of a jack of all trades, but does his best work running as a halfback. He’s one of the fittest in the league and will be seen putting in hard yards all over the park.
ZAC DEMAMIEL
Wollongong Lions
Ruck
In his first year of senior footy after moving from Griffith, Demamiel really excelled. Really grew into the ruck roll, providing some excellent tap work in the middle, intercepting and giving his midfielders first use of the footy. He also has a clean set of hands below the knees and is overall just an exceptional talent.
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