The Bellarine Football Netball League’s most important players according to the numbers
After eight rounds of the BFNL, a number of players have stood out so far. See the latest numbers behind their sensational form.
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We’re almost at the halfway mark of the BFNL season and the top five appears close to settled with Torquay, Anglesea, Drysdale, Barwon Heads and Geelong Amateur all putting in strong campaigns so far.
The pressure will be on sixth-placed Modewarre – six points off the Ammos in fifth – to keep pace with the top bracket with the Hawks, Roos and Geelong Amateur to come in an incredibly tough run in early June.
But who have emerged as the most dominant players across the BFNL so far, according to Premier data?
For the first time, this masthead has access to in-depth numbers in the Bellarine.
We’ve taken a look at all the stats, from forward half precision and goals, midfield brilliance to defensive efforts and durability to who the clubs have named as their best.
And some players have picked themselves, with Portarlington’s Teia Miles a leader at his club in 15 different statistical areas, with similar numbers for Ocean Grove’s Ed Dayman (14), Torquay’s Matt Boag (12), Josh Finch at Modewarre, Anglesea’s Lachlan Smith and Barwon Heads’ Luke Davis (all 11), Newcomb’s Ryan Jackman (nine) Drysdale’s James Breust (eight) and Queenscliff’s Lachie Kidd (eight).
Meanwhile, the numbers show a couple of Anglesea midfielders have been pivotal to the Roos’ rise to second place on the ladder.
The 24 most important players in the Bellarine so far — by the stats
Teia Miles
Club: Portarlington:
Games: Eight
In the best: Five times
Club leader: 15 statistical areas
Competition leader: Three statistical areas
The former Hawthorn player has been a trouble shooter for Demons coach Warren Finlayson this year, relied upon in all sections of the ground while averaging 35 touches and 150 ranking points a game.
And after eight rounds, Miles leads the league for disposals, ranking points and rebounds from 50, and is third for marks, sixth for ground ball gets and eighth for contested touches.
It’s all come despite the Demons struggling for form since opening its 2024 campaign with back-to-back wins, and fellow big league players Connor Menadue and Jaryd Cachia sidelined at various times.
Named in the best on five occasions, Miles has also kicked 14 goals.
Jack Duke
Club: Newcomb
Games: Eight
In the best: Five
Club leader: Five
Competition leader: Two
It’s been an ordinary season so far for the 1-7 Power, but the Wimmera product has led from the front with a seven-goal haul against Ocean Grove to be on top of the BFNL six-pointer table.
Leading the league for forward 50 tackles and goal involvements, Duke is the closest thing to irreplaceable for head coach Tony Mirabella, producing 17 goals from the opening four rounds and rated elite for score and goal involvements.
Duke has also been named in his side’s best on five occasions from eight games.
Ryan Jackman
Club: Newcomb
Games: Eight
In the best: Three
Club leader: Nine
Competition leader: 0
The Power captain has been a super consistent force at Grinter Reserve, leading the club in nine different statistical areas.
He is Newcomb’s best when it comes to disposals, contested possessions (averaging 12.2), ground ball gets, ball up clearances, centre clearances, clearances, tackles and ranking points.
Ranked as elite in seven areas by Premier.
Ed Dayman
Club: Ocean Grove
Games: Eight
In the best: Six
Club leader: 12
Competition leader: One
The Wangaratta product has been the brightest of lights for the Grubbers amid a 0-8 season so far, averaging 137 ranking points.
Leading the competition for contested possessions, Dayman is also in the top bracket for clearances (fourth), throw in clearances (second), disposals (sixth) and ground ball gets (eighth).
Averaging 25 touches and 28 hit outs a game, Dayman been named in his side’s best on six occasions, a stunning return for the Grubbers.
Matt Boag
Club: Torquay
Games: Eight
In the best: Five
Club leader: 12
Competition leader: One
Boag is arguably the recruit of the year after a glittering career with Newtown & Chilwell in the GFNL, averaging 144 ranking points and 31 possessions.
Stepping up to share the load in the forward line with the absence of Lucas Anderson to a season-ending knee injury, Boag has ensured the Tigers have remained the league’s most prolific in offence.
Boag is tracking strong for marks (first), contested possessions and ground ball gets (second) ranking points and centre clearances (third), goal involvements (fifth) and clearances (seventh).
Also slotting 12 years for the year, it’s no surprise that Boag has been named in the Tigers’ best in five games from eight starts.
Baxter Mensch
Club: Torquay
Games: Eight
In the best: Three
Club leader: Two
Competition leader: One
The classy midfielder is having another good year in the Bellarine, leading the league for inside 50s while putting up strong numbers across ground ball gets (third) and contested possessions (eighth).
Has averaged 26 touches a game and is ranked elite in 11 key statistical areas.
Chase Loftus
Club: Torquay
Games: Eight
In the best: Two
Club leader: Three
Competition leader: 0
Young Loftus is backing up his best and fairest year in 2023 to rate strongly in a number of statistical areas: fifth for ground ball gets, sixth for disposals (averaging 25), contested touches (averaging 14.6), clearances and throw in clearances and seventh for inside 50s.
With the likes of Loftus and Mensch dominant, the Tigers lead the league from a club point of view for contested possessions, disposals, ground ball gets and total ranking points.
Rated elite in 10 different areas by Premier.
Ben McNamara
Club: Torquay
Games: Seven
In the best: Three
Club leader: One
Competition leader: 0
The skipper has had a strong season: sixth for marks, third for intercept marks, and has been named in his side’s best on three occasions.
The Tigers are the league’s most miserly team, allowing just 516 points so far this season, and McNamara is a key reason.
Averaging 20 touches a match, the captain is rated elite for intercept possessions and marks and spoils, and in eight areas in total.
James Breust
Club: Drysdale
Games: Seven
In the best: Three
Club leader: Eight
Competition leader: Two
After kicking 43 goals in 2023, Breust has been a bull in the centre for the Hawks this year, topping the league for clearances (averaging 10) and centre clearances, third for throw in clearances, fifth for contested possessions and eighth for disposals (averaging 28) and seventh for ranking points, averaging 135 for the season.
Has chipped in with six majors, too, and rated elite in 13 different areas.
Luke Preece
Club: Drysdale
Games: Eight
In the best: Six
Club leader: Five
Competition leader: One
The young gun defender is making a name for himself for his relentless attack on the ball and it’s showing up in the numbers after eight rounds, rated elite for intercept possessions (11.1) and contested marks.
Topping the league for intercept and contested grabs, Preece is also second for one per centers, fourth for back 50 tackles, while being named in his side’s best on six occasions from eight games.
Has played a key role in ensuring the Hawks have the second tightest defence this year, allowing just 544 points so far.
Ben Fennell
Club: Drysdale
Games: Five
In the best: Three
Club leader: Three
Competition leader: 0
Despite playing just five games due to injury, Fennell has still had a major impact for the Hawks, averaging 23 touches and 12 contested possessions.
From a club perspective, he leads the club for ground ball gets, inside 50s and turnovers, is second in contested possessions, clearances and centre clearances, third for disposals, midfield tackles and ball up clearances and fourth for ranking points and tackles.
Named in his side’s best on three occasions from just five games, Fennell has also slotted six goals.
Josh Finch
Club: Modewarre
Games: Eight
In the best: Four
Club leader: 11
Competition leader: 0
The durable Warrior, who played his 300th game last season, continues to produce for new coach Mark Hovey — named in his side’s best on four occasions, averaging 28 touches per game.
While his club is midtable, Finch remains a league leader in a number of areas, including marks (fourth), disposals (third), throw in clearances (sixth), ground ball gets (eighth) and ranking points (10th).
Rated elite in 10 different areas.
Connor Joseph
Club: Modewarre
Games: Eight
In the best: Three
Club leader: Six
Competition leader: Two
Joseph has come with a bullet after a 10-goal haul on Saturday against Newcomb, shooting him to the top of the goalkicking table with 28 majors.
However, Joseph is also number one for marks inside 50 and fourth for contested marks to provide a terrific complement to forward line ally Tom Hornsey (14 goals, fourth for marks inside 50).
Rated elite for score and goal involvements.
Jordan Keras
Club: Anglesea
Games: Seven
In the best: Four
Club leader: Six
Competition leader: 0
The Roos coach has been absolutely crucial to Anglesea’s rise back up the ladder, now sitting second after a smashing of Geelong Amateur in Round 8, averaging 135 ranking points, 29 touches and 17 contested possessions per game.
The Roos as a collective are top of the pops for clearances and inside 50s, and second for centre clearances, with Keras a key driver.
Keras’ midfield numbers have been astounding: second for clearances and centre clearances, fourth for tackles, ground ball gets and contested touches, sixth for disposals and goal involvements and eighth overall for ranking points.
He is rated elite for score involvements too and in 13 areas all up.
Keras has also kicked 14 goals for the season, including five in Round 6 against Newcomb, and has been named in his side’s best on four occasions.
Lachlan Smith
Club: Anglesea
Games: Eight
In the best: Four
Club leader: 10
Competition leader: 0
Keras’ partner in crime has also been equally damaging this year and has been named in his side’s top bracket of players four times, averaging 27 touches and 131 ranking points a match.
Smith is in the league’s top five across multiple areas: first for tackles (averaging seven a game) and midfield tackles, third for contested touches, fourth for inside 50s and throw in clearances, fifth for ranking points, seventh for centre clearances and goal involvements and ninth for one percenters.
Throw in 11 goals, named in the best on four occasions and rated elite in 13 separate areas, you have a very influential season.
Noah McGregor-Dawson
Club: Anglesea
Games: Eight
In the best: Three
Club leader: Four
Competition leader: One
McGregor-Dawson has been important for the Roos, leading the league for one percenters, fourth for intercept marks, sixth for marks and overall ranking points, averaging 120 a match.
He is also rated elite for intercept possessions.
Luke Davis
Club: Barwon Heads
Games: Eight
In the best: Four
Club leader: 11
Competition leader: One
The star ruckman has produced another fine season so far, leading the competition for throw in clearances and is averaging 145 ranking points.
Meanwhile, he’s top five for hit outs (third), ranking points and inside 50s (second), clearances (third), centre clearances (fourth), plus strong in contested possessions (seventh) and one percenters (seventh)
Davis has also been in his side’s best on four occasions, as the Seagulls have won five of their past six matches and are on something of a roll.
Kyle Polley
Club: Barwon Heads
Games: Seven
In the best: Three
Club leader: Two
Competition leader: 0
The Seagulls skipper leads the third most efficient defence in the league, and is personally second for intercept grabs.
At club level, Polley is second for back 50 tackles and third for ranking points at his club.
Seemingly a cool head in a crisis, Polley is guided by former Cats great Matthew Scarlett, making Barwon Heads the third least scored against team after eight rounds.
Rated elite for intercept and contested possessions, and in seven areas in total.
Sammy Baker
Club: Barwon Heads
Games: Eight
In the best: Four
Club leader: Two
Competition leader: One
The Lilydale product is returning to his 2022 form where he finished second in the Les Ash and kicked 50+ goals in a premiership year.
With 14 majors, and leading the league for attacking 50 tackles, Baker has also been relied upon to venture into the middle to provide a spark — named in his team’s best on four occasions.
Rated elite for tackles, score involvements and goal involvements.
Riley Ferguson
Club: Geelong Amateur
Games: Eight
In the best: Six
Club leader: Five
Competition leader: 0
Ferguson has been a workhorse for the Ammos this year, currently sixth for disposals (averaging 25 with 77 per cent efficiency) and seventh for ground ball gets across the league.
Has also chipped in with seven goals as Geelong Amateur have risen back up the ladder after last year’s sixth place.
In a similar vein to Preece and Dayman, Ferguson has been in his side’s best on six occasions while being ranked elite in 11 different areas.
Daniel Grose
Club: Geelong Amateur:
Games: Eight
In the best: Four
Club leader: Four
Competition leader: 0
Grose has been a key part of the Ammos’ rise up the ladder this year, providing plenty of rebound from defence and is ranked elite for intercept possessions.
He leads the club for ranking points, marginally ahead of teammate Blake Sutterby, and intercept marks, marks and one per centers.
However, at a league level, Grose is fifth for intercept marks, eighth for one percenters and seventh for rebound 50s.
Named in the Ammos’ best on four occasions, Grose is also in the top bracket for rebound 50s and back 50 tackles (second), turnovers (third), kicks (fourth), disposals and ground ball gets (fifth) and tackles (sixth) at club level.
Patrick Dowling
Club: Geelong Amateur
Games: Eight
In the best: Five
Club leader: Seven
Competition leader: 0
Unsurprisingly, the former Mary’s star forward has taken the league by storm so far this year, third on the table for goals – despite being held goalless in Round 8 – third for marks inside 50 and fourth for contested grabs.
Rated elite in 10 categories, including contested possessions and goal and score involvements, Dowling has been among the Ammos’ best on five occasions.
Blake Sutterby
Club: Geelong Amateur
Games: Seven
In the best: Four
Club leader: Six
Competition leader: 0
Like Matt Boag, former Eagle Sutterby has had a strong impact at his new BFNL club, leading the Ammos in six areas, and most are at the coalface, averaging 27 touches per game and going at 75 per cent efficiency.
Named in his side’s best on four occasions, Sutterby has had an influence despite sustaining an ankle injury in Round 7 against Drysdale which ended his day prematurely at Queens Park.
Has led the Ammos for ball up clearances, centre clearances, clearances, inside 50s, tackles and midfield tackles, ranked elite in 11 different categories.
Lachie Kidd
Club: Queenscliff
Games: Seven
In the best: Three
Club leader: Eight
Competition leader: 0
Kidd, who returned to the Coutas after the briefest of stays at Bannockburn during the off-season, has led Queenscliff in eight different statistical areas in 2024 from seven games, averaging 26.3 touches.
Named in his side’s best on three occasions, Kidd tracks strongly for contested possessions (11.6), ranking points and kicks (second), and in disposals, ground ball gets, throw in clearances, ball up clearances, centre clearances, clearances and inside 50s (all first).
Ranked elite in nine categories.
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Originally published as The Bellarine Football Netball League’s most important players according to the numbers
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