Ovens and Murray League’s top 40 footballers revealed

With eight rounds of football played in the Ovens and Murray League season, who are the best players in the competition so far? Here’s who we’ve ranked in the top 40.

Three ex-AFL stars have been among the best players in the competition.

The Ovens and Murray League is one of Victoria’s premier football competitions.

Throughout history a number of AFL players have started their career on the border.

Here’s the top 40 players through the first eight rounds of this season.

All players are in alphabetical order.

Abraham Ankers (Wangaratta)

One of the recruits of the season after arriving from the NT. The 26-year-old was named captain of the NEAFL team of the year in 2019 and has lit up the border competition with stunning displays so far.

Riley Bice (Albury Tigers)

After kicking four goals in his senior debut three years ago, Bice has become one of the most consistent players in the competition. He already has 12 goals to his name this season as he aims to better his tally of 24 in 2019.

Michael Bordignon (Wangaratta)

As consistent as they come in one of the state’s premier competitions. The defender is Mr Reliable for the Magpies and has continued with a strong start to 2021. A regular in the senior side since 2011, Bordignon will leave no stone unturned in his side’s pursuit of a premiership.

Martin Brennan (Lavington)

As tough as any midfielder in the competition. The contested beast can also hurt teams on the outside and in the air with his strong marking ability. His ground ball ability is also outstanding.

Sam Carpenter (Wangaratta Rovers)

His side’s highest vote getter in the Morris Medal two years ago and has been in solid form to start the season again. Having previously played with Aspley in the NEAFL his experience will be crucial in the back half of the season.

Fletcher Carroll (Albury Tigers)

Returned to the club from the Northern Football League before the start of the season and has been in strong form. His versatility to play on-ball or as a small forward gives the Tigers coaching staff plenty to work with. Carroll has the ability to take the game on and is an exceptional tackler.

Fletcher Carroll had a stint in the Top End during the summer months. Photo: Glenn Campbell.

Hayden Clarke (Wodonga Raiders)

One of the most improved players across all clubs. Clarke has stepped up his game in 2021 using the year off to his advantage. He was rewarded for his form with a best on ground display against rivals Wodonga.

Josh Clayton (Wodonga)

He may have been limited to just three games so far but they were impressive. The former Brisbane Lion was strong in the contest and helped provide opportunities for his forwards.

Jacob Conlan (Albury Tigers)

After taking the big step up from the Riverina competition, Conlan hasn’t looked back emerging as a dominant forward. Has been held goalless in just one game so far with a season best effort of nine against North Albury to put him in contention to finish with the most goals of any player.

Lucas Conlan (Albury Tigers)

Part of a package deal with his brother Jacob from Griffith, Conlan has made massive strides despite playing the first game of the year in the reserves. He has since gone onto feature in the best four times for the Tigers including in four of his past six games.

Simon Curtis (Lavington)

The premiership coach continually leads from the front for his side. Despite missing a couple of games in April he has still been as impressive as ever including in the loss to Wodonga on Saturday.

Lachlan Dale (Myrtleford)

After kicking 59 goals in 2019, Dale has once again impressed in his side’s push into the upper reaches of the ladder. His best haul of the season was a bag of six against North Albury in the opening round in a sign of things that were to come.

Bailey Frauenfelder (Yarrawonga)

Goals haven’t always been easy to come by this season but Frauenfelder has made the most of his opportunities when they have presented themselves. His most impressive outing was five against Wodonga Raiders.

Flynn Gardiner (North Albury)

In a season very much about gaining experience, Gardiner has impressed after stepping up from the thirds competition. He has played every senior game so far and leads the Hoppers’ goal kicking.

Luke Garland (Lavington)

The 2019 premiership captain has been in strong form to start the season despite his side’s slow start. He was red hot in the opening game against Wangaratta Rovers in a best on ground display and has remained steady.

Luke Garland and Shaun Mannagh celebrate during the 2019 grand final. Photo: Mark Jesser, The Border Mail.

George Godde (North Albury)

The club’s reigning best and fairest has played a vital role in showing the way for his younger teammates and he continues to get the job done. As consistent as they come in the competition.

Tom Goodwin (Corowa-Rutherglen)

The powerful big man has been in devastating form since crossing from Seymour in the Goulburn Valley League. His ability to give his midfielders first use has been a pleasure for Roos supporters to watch. Coaches and officials have also been impressed with his follow up work.

Mathew Grossman (Wangaratta)

Since returning to the club following a stint in the VFL in 2015, Grossman has proven himself as someone his teammates can consistently count on. He can play a variety of roles given his scoreboard impact can ebb and flow. Experienced a purple patch in the middle of the first seven rounds.

Tyson Hartwig (Wangaratta Rovers)

A player with a local footballing resume as good as they come. A former Victorian representative, Hartwig has provided plenty of spark and cleanliness to the Rovers side.

Tyson Hartwig has been sensational for Rovers. Photo: Field of View Photography.

Jarrod Hodgkin (Wodonga Raiders)

Hodgkin entered the season with plenty of expectation after taking home the 2019 Morris Medal. He’s played a strong role in an ever improving Raiders side who will be hoping to feature when the whips are cracking.

Aidan Johnson (Lavington)

The young gun has been nothing short of sensational to start the season, which will see him rewarded with a chance at VFL level with Werribee. Johnson can have a devastating impact on the scoreboard demonstrated by five goals in a best on ground display against Wodonga Raiders.

Jared Lane (Corowa-Rutherglen)

A consistent performer for the Roos in the middle of the ground with his contested ball winning ability. Lane has hurt opposition teams on the outside as well with his booming left foot.

Alex Marklew (Wangaratta Rovers)

Previously linked with Essendon and Werribee in the VFL, Marklew has lit up the competition this season with 18 goals. Despite his impact forward of centre, he has shown ability to play where required.

Alex Marklew is formerly of Doutta Stars. Photo: David Smith

Leigh Masters (Yarrawonga)

One of the Pigeons big recruits of the off-season has delivered in spades despite the side sitting towards the bottom of the ladder. Wheeler has been in the best on all but two occasions adding much needed experience to Yarra.

Scott Meyer (Wodonga Raiders)

The former VFL big man has underlined the reputation he brought to the competition with him. Having moved from Beaconsfield in the AFL Outer East, Meyer has continually impressed in Raiders pursuit of a position come finals times.

Anthony Miles (Albury Tigers)

Extra responsibility as a playing coach hasn’t held the former GWS and Richmond midfielder back in his return home. Playing in the competition for the first time since 2010, Miles has continued to be a ball magnet while also having an impact when he goes forward.

Callum Moore (Wangaratta)

Straight out of the AFL system and into the elite bracket of O&M players. The former Richmond and Carlton forward has shown he can kick goals but his presence in the ruck is also a major success in his impact for the Magpies so far.

Matt Munro (Myrtleford)

Back with the Alpine Saints on a full-time basis and has been in dominant form to start the season. The former Werribee VFL forward has embraced his role for the club being named in the best every week. He has shown his ability to hit the scoreboard as well.

Matt Munro has been in fine form for the Alpine Saints. Photo: Michael Klein.

Jydon Neagle (Wodonga Raiders)

The son of Essendon champion Merv has been brilliant in the limited opportunities he has had to take to the field this season. In five games he has 15 goals as well as being named among the better players on every occasion.

William Nolan (Wangaratta Rovers)

In a competition featuring plenty of stars, Nolan is a player who continues to fly under the radar. His Rovers supporters and teammates know they can rely on him to get a job done.

Michael Newton (Wangaratta)

The competition’s leading goal kicker has used all of his experience in a forward line littered with talent. Given who is around him, the former Melbourne forward can swing a game in his side’s favour with moments of magic.

Michael Newton has caused plenty of problems inside forward 50.

Ethan Redcliffe (Wodonga)

Given his performances this season, you’d be forgiven for believing the young gun was a seasoned veteran. He has made a smooth transition out of the thirds competition, where he kicked 77 goals in 2019, to become one of the players to watch.

Cody Schutt (Wangaratta Rovers)

Celebrated his 50th senior game before the break and has been nothing short of sensational this season. Has put a run of injuries behind him to become one of his side’s best performers weekly.

Cody Szust (Wodonga)

There was plenty to talk about when Szust arrived at the Bulldogs from the SANFL and he has delivered on his potential. He has 19 goals from nine games and has continued to give his side a strong target up forward.

Jake Sharp (Myrtleford)

The co-coach, who recently signed on for 2022 alongside Dawson Simpson, was a slow starter to the season playing his first game in round six. But after a top five finish in the Morris Medal in 2019 there is no doubt his side has been even better with him on the field.

Dawson Simpson (Myrtleford)

The former Geelong and GWS big man is enjoying life back in country footy. His presence around the ground has been terrific as he continues his midfielders first use.

Jackson Weidemann (North Albury)

If his club’s best and fairest votes were counted now it’s highly likely Weidemann would sit on top of the tree. He has been in fantastic form this season producing three best on ground displays so far.

Mark Whiley (Yarrawonga)

The former GWS and Carlton player has been a strong performer in the role of playing coach so far this season. Through the first six seven he was named in the better players on four occasions.

Cameron Wilson (Corowa-Rutherglen)

Described as a ball magnet by the club president, the hard at it midfielder has been a revelation after arriving from Rutherglen in the Tallangatta District competition. Starting to attract the attention of opposition coaches as they attempt to limit his influence on games.

Damien Wilson (Corowa-Rutherglen)

Hasn’t missed a beat after committing to the club with his brother, Cameron. The midfielder started to find his best form before the enforced break and will be key in his side’s hopes of playing finals footy.