Abe Ankers and Jasmine Boyers sit on top of CAFL 2023 end of season top 20 lists
From Minahan medallists to onballers and goal sneaks, we reveal the best players from the 2023 Central Australian Football League season ahead of finals. Check out who made the list.
Northern Territory
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As we close in on the Central Australian Football League finals we reveal the best players from throughout the 2023 season including best and fairest winners and x-factor goal scorers.
Premiership favourites Federal and Alkamilya dominate their respective lists, while there are plenty of individuals from other clubs who have also starred in 2023.
The NT News has compiled these lists with the help of CAAMA Radio Sports Show hosts and matchday commentators Danny Measures and Danni Woods and CAFL coaches.
Senior Men’s Top 20
20. Lukas (Ross) Peckham (Rovers)
Peckham is a medium versatile utility who has the ability to turn nothing into something on a whim.
He has enjoyed a good season with the Double Blues where his ability to impact games could determine how far they progress in finals.
19. Thomas Swan (South Alice Springs)
Swan is a talent youngster who has given Souths another running option since making the switch from Pioneer in the off season.
He has the capacity to kick goal when playing a small forward role, but his defensive game has also improved out of sight throughout the season.
18. Matt Campbell (Pioneer)
The ex-North Adelaide and North Melbourne footballer won the CAFL’s Minahan Medal in 2004 and continues to show off his talent for the Eagles today.
Campbell has had an interrupted season playing forward, through the midfield and more recently down back where he uses his footballing experience to guide movement out of Pioneer’s defence.
17. Thomas Gorey (South Alice Springs)
The stalwart forward has had an injury interrupted season, but still tallies well on the goal kicking front.
Gorey leads up at the ball carrier, takes contested marks and is generally an accurate kick at the sticks getting the points when his team needs them.
Missed the final few matches because of injury, but has still managed to finish top three on the competition’s leading goal kicking list.
16. Ariki Lowe (Federal)
A small hard-at-the-contest player who gets a lot of the football back for Federal, and featured in the CAFL rep side against Waratah.
His work rate has proved invaluable and he is set to play a huge role in the red and white’s finals campaign.
15. Kane Sevellos (Pioneer)
Sevellos is one of the Eagle’s catalysts who can ignite plenty of attacking momentum for his side running through the midfield.
He has a lot of potential to go far in the game and when he’s on the Eagles are up and about.
14. Daniel Stafford (South Alice Springs)
The centre half forward has become a mainstay of the Territory club game over the past few years in both the CAFL and NTFL.
Stafford loves to play deep inside South’s attacking 50m line and is capable of both taking spectacular marks and kicking long goals.
He has a lot of potential to go far in the game and when he’s on the Eagles are up and about.
13. Cheyne Miles (Pioneer)
The stalwart tap ruckman at the Eagles has only grown in confidence as the season has gone on.
Gives his teammates first use of the ball at stoppages and can chip in where needed across the midfield.
12. Sam LaPorta (Federal)
The coach of the undefeated red and whites successfully leading his side against all comers in season 2023, a true testament to his coaching prowess.
A lead-from-the-front coach who transfers positive thinking to positive actions, his leadership has proved to be exceptional this year.
11. Kynan Barnes (Federal)
The general in defence for the best side in the competition, Barnes is the leader of Federal’s back six with his run and clever disposal by foot.
The brick wall opposition players find hard to penetrate, Barnes has won the respect of teammates and opponents alike with his attack on the football and strong bodywork.
10. Jayden Dick (West Alice Springs)
The midfielder has developed into a real leader at his club over the past few years, and leads by example each and every week.
Dick has been at the centre of a developing a culture which is slowly seeing his club claw their way back to the powerhouse side they were when they won four flags in a row from 2004 to 2007.
9. Shane Inkamala (Federal)
An athletic forward with a giant leap, Inkamala has to potential to score heavily against opposition sides when given the opportunity.
The Papunya product is hard to match up on and is one of a number of options Federal have had their disposal this year.
8. Marcus Glen (South Alice Springs)
The Mr Consistent, alongside teammate Dominic Forbes, for the Super Roos in 2023.
Glen can play all over the ground giving his side a lot of drive from defence and often pops up with timely goals when he makes the move forward.
7. Jesiah Minor (Federal)
Minor is a skilful forward who has good pace combined with an uncanny ability to mark the ball under pressure.
His goal scoring this year includes a bag of seven and he is difficult to match up on for any opposition side.
6. Braydon Weily (Federal)
Another big factor in Federal’s rise up the ladder this season, Weily’s ability to find the football and use it wisely has been a big part of the red and white’s midfield team.
The well-credentialed utility and goal kicker who can play most positions has been pivotal in his club’s success in 2023.
5. Shayden Close (Rovers)
A balanced and skilful player who has won plenty of contested balls in his first season in the Double Blues’ midfield.
Close also has the ability to go further forward when needed and cause some real damage on the scoreboard.
SANFL club South Adelaide has kept a close eye on his form and have invited the classy midfielder to pull on their navy blue jumper this season which is evidence of his talent.
4. Dominic Forbes (South Alice Springs)
The midfielder has led the way for the Roos throughout the 2023 season, never taking his eye off the task at hand.
Forbes is consistent across the board and has the ability to play up forward and down back when required.
He uses the ball wisely and seldom wastes possession of the pill.
3. Jackson Cole (Pioneer)
The Eagle has emerged as one of the Territory’s best young players in recent years playing in both the NTFL and the CAFL.
He has emerged as an aspiring leader at his club where he has adapted well to playing in the midfield, away from his customary position down in defence.
Is set to play a significant role across finals as Pioneer chase back-to-back titles.
2. Robert Bartee (Federal)
A versatile player who can play through the middle, up front and down back with equal ability, and has many similarities to past Federal champion Bruce Pett.
He wins many contested possessions and runs hard both ways while giving his team plenty of the ball through the midfield.
1. Abraham Ankers (Federal)
The 2016 and 2020 Minahan medallist continues to be the benchmark player of the CAFL, with his ability to find the ball whenever he needs it.
The Federal captain has done enough this year to be his side’s best player almost every week, and even got awarded the best on ground medal in the CAFL rep game against his NTFL club Waratah.
Ankers is hard to match up on and creates chaos for opposition teams, and having played his 300th game in Federal’s colours in round 15 will be looking to give the finals series one big shake.
Senior Women’s Top 20
20. Mya Tommy (Pioneer)
Tommy is a real rising star in the making and one everyone will be keeping their eyes on for years to come.
The youngster who plays both junior and senior football is quick, agile and a very good reader of the play.
19. Krydence Schwalger (Federal)
Schwalger has been named in her club’s best players on eight occasions with her ability to clear the ball from the backline.
Has been one of the major strengths of this Federal women’s side making their first ever CAFL finals appearance.
18. Lara Harding (Rovers)
Harding works tirelessly week in and week out to keep her Double Blues side afloat after an unsuccessful attempt to defend last season’s premiership campaign.
Her effectiveness out of the middle made her paramount to her club’s recent success.
17. Regan Maher-Moldrich (Alkamilya)
Maher-Moldrich’s debut season has been proof of her footy DNA with her smart clearing left boot, accurate reading of the play and a big attacking role in the Panthers’ attacking zone.
Her uncles are two of the most influential players in NT footy, her aunty was a pioneer for women’s football and now she’s making a name for herself kicking 17 goals in her debut season.
16. Demi Lee Braun (South Alice Springs)
A Roos junior who still plays with the club’s under-16s side alongside her commitments in the senior women’s team.
The daughter of a Roos’ champion, Braun brings fast and clean clearances from the centre and a big appetite for goals when in the attacking 50.
15. Vanessa Stokes (Federal)
The veteran utility is an all-rounder with the skills and talent to play in multiple sports.
A smart reader of the play and where the ball is, she can ruck, play up the ground and can also throw herself into the defensive tussle.
A big asset to a Federal side set to play in its first finals series.
14. Jessica Harnischfeger (West Alice Springs)
Named in her side’s best on nine occasions this season, Harnischfeger is a half forward with the pace to run and carry and convert in front of the goals.
Has played a significant role, particuarly late in the season making an impact whenever she’s near the ball.
13. Ebony Miller (South Alice Springs)
Miller has long been one of Central Australia’s most consistent players whether playing for Souths in the CAFL or for the Darwin Buffaloes in the NTFL.
She can play in the ruck where her mobility and strength in mark contests and contested situations is a big factor and she can kick goals when moved forward.
12. Georgia Calub (West Alice Springs)
Calub has been named in her team’s best in nine of the 12 games she has played for the Bloods in 2023.
A utility player who can be used around the ground and will be looking to play some of her best football in this week’s elimination final against Federal.
11. Felisha Swan (South Alice Springs)
Swan is possessed with the ability to out jump and out mark any opposition she comes up against.
A real force to be reckoned with who is agile, quick and dangerous when the goals come close.
10. Brylee Kerrin (Rovers)
An agile and athletic young player, Kerrin’s clever touch and soccer skills give her the ability and confidence to step around opponents.
A very quick player on the offence and incredibly dangerous when she gets around the goals.
9. Shoneeka Abbott (Alkamilya)
Abbott has been named in the Panthers’ best in all four games she has played this season often being the catalyst in preventing goals against her table topping side.
Her quick runs from the backline to get the ball into the attacking 50m arc makes her an incredibly dangerous rebounding defender.
Won her club’s best and fairest award at the age of 16 and has represented the NT on many occasions.
8. Lucy Nicolai (Rovers)
The Double Blues’ winger has been in outstanding form, being named in her side’s best in six of the eight games she has turned out for.
Endowed with good skills by foot and hand, Nicolai’s ability to get the football down to her forwards has been an important link in Rovers’ season.
7. Hannah Murdoch (West Alice Springs)
Murdoch’s is an important part of the Bloods’ armoury leading the defence from centre half-back or making the big marks at centre half-forward.
She’s been named in her side’s best in the eight games she has played in 2023 and has booted eight goals in the process to prove she’s deserved the accolade.
6. Kaitlyn Armstrong (Alkamilya)
The power forward in the competition and the only female player who can kick 50 or 60 metres off one step.
Very hard to man up and often has two or three opposing players to beat while still outmarking them.
Her individual awards include winning her club and the league’s leading goalkicking award from 2013-2023, three Margaret Liddle medals and a best on ground performance in a losing grand final with a game high eight goals.
She also impressed in the NTFL for St Mary’s kicking bags of goals for fun to win the 2022-23 leading goalkicker.
5. Anne-Marie Mabus (Alkamilya)
The veteran, multiple best and fairest player and 2017 premiership winning captain has changed her game from consistent midfielder to key backline player.
Mabus has the ability to find the ball before anyone knows where it’s going and is as tough as they come on the defence.
4. Libby Taylor (Federal)
The midfielder-goalkicker has been named in her side’s best players on 10 occasions in 14 games for the competition rookies.
Her quick read of the ball finds Taylor in the right place at the right time as she leads her Demons in their first finals appearance.
3. Gabrielle King (Alkamilya)
Don’t be fooled by the size of Alkamilya’s King, with the little pocket rocket gaining the nickname ‘Silky’ for her silky smooth approach and attack on the ball.
She always finds the space to create something out of nothing and was rated the league’s best player in the mid-season top 10.
King can play through the middle and up forward where her creative style of play has inspired the unbeaten flag favourites.
2. Kahlisha Rioli (Alkamilya)
The famous Territory footballing name is now making its mark in Central Australia.
Rioli has worked tirelessly all season to become one of the best midfielders CAFL women has seen, changing her forward positional DNA.
With her midfield grunt, tackle and pressure, attack on the ball and defensive play, Rioli leads her Alkamilya team into a qualifying final with 12 wins, one loss and a draw from their 14 games.
1. Jasmine Boyers (Alkamilya)
Boyers is one of the best players in Central Australia, where her defensive and offensive attacking play is second to none.
She leads from the front with her team depending on her for her amazing overhead marks and her ability to always be first to the ball with her run and chase.
The Panthers will expect her to poll extremely well in the Margaret Liddle Medal count for the league’s best and fairest award.
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Originally published as Abe Ankers and Jasmine Boyers sit on top of CAFL 2023 end of season top 20 lists
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