Ballarat young guns who could make list of most influential
Who could be the next influential sports stars in Ballarat to make the top 50 in future years? We look into the crystal ball to find out.
Ballarat
Don't miss out on the headlines from Ballarat. Followed categories will be added to My News.
There are few, if any, regional cities in Australia which have produced the same calibre of sporting pedigree as Ballarat.
The names of the city‘s sporting alumni roll off the tongue and represent some of the biggest names in Australian sport … Moneghetti, Lockett, Malthouse, Payne.
In an effort to celebrate this extraordinary legacy, the Herald Sun has tapped into the minds of Ballarat‘s best sporting brains in an effort to compile the complete list of the most influential people in Ballarat sports of the past 100 years.
You can read part one and all about the process to identify the top-200 here with part two here and part three here.
The top 50 is here.
Now we list those with strong Ballarat links who could be in the next top 50 when the list is compiled in future years.
From those currently in the top 200, to those starting to forge careers, to others who are juniors on the rise, we’ve listed those who could impress over the next 10-15 years.
Here are the next young guns who could be at the top in the next few years.
Georgia Amoore, basketball
Ballarat’s next biggest thing when it comes to basketball, Amoore is just getting started. The talented junior helped her college team, Virginia Tech, to the NCAA women’s finals, finishing in the semi-finals of the prestigious tournament. Amoore was a star in the tournament and in the broader Atlantic Coast Conference, especially with her three-point plays as a point guard. She made the first team in the ACC and was the MVP in the final. The sky is the limit for the 22-year-old and she could be drafted into the WNBA in the next 12-24 months. If she does, there is no doubt she will be among the list in future years.
Kaitlyn Ashmore, football
A pioneer of women’s football, Ashmore played in the first ever season of AFLW and is still going, joining Hawthorn last season after playing for Brisbane and North Melboure. The midfielder has played almost 60 games ranking her amongst among the top 30 of players all-time. She led the North Melbourne goalkicking in 2020. Expect her to feature in the next list as her achievements are recognised.
Zak Butters, football
The Darley junior played all of his football in the Ballarat league before being recruited to Port Adelaide. One of the best midfielders in the game right now, Butters could be a Brownlow Medallist by the end of the season and his game is just getting better. At just 22, the midfielder has a long career ahead of him and could certainly be on the list in future years.
Aaron Cadman, football
Last year’s number one draft pick might be from Darley but he played all his junior football in Ballarat’s league and went to St Patrick’s College. Cadman has the potential to be anything and has already had comparisons to Jeremy Cameron. If he plays a career like the GWS and Geelong player, Cadman could be high on the next list.
Jeremy Cameron, football
If Adam Goodes can make the list after being in Ballarat for a couple of seasons with the North Ballarat Rebels, Cameron is a good shout to do the same after playing for Greater Western Victoria Rebels before being drafted by GWS. The forward will go down as one of the best in the game after winning a Coleman Medal, an AFL premiership and a best and fairest at two clubs. Cameron is also in the top 50 goalkickers ever in the AFL. A great of the game and his career is not done yet.
Liam Duggan, football
One of only a handful of Ballarat players to win a VFL/AFL premiership. Duggan has been part of the West Coast defence for the past few years and has played more than 120 games. From Myrniong, between Bacchus Marsh and Ballarat, Duggan went to St Patrick’s College and was part of the team, as captain, which won the Herald Sun Shield in 2014. A player capable of being on the list in future years.
Josh Gibcus, football
The best Ballarat footballer to be drafted in the past three years. The defender joined Richmond and has played 18 games in his career with his season this year hampered by injury. Gibcus showed enough to be a future star in the competition and someone who could be on the list in a few years if his career shines.
Jacob Hopper, football
The New South Wales born footballer spent time at St Patrick’s College before he was drafted to GWS. He also played for the Greater Western Victoria Rebels during his time in Ballarat. The midfielder has played 122 games and joined Richmond this season. If he plays another 100-150 games, which he could, Hopper could make the list in the future.
Katie Jackson, rowing
One part of the rowing duo who are about to head overseas to compete for Australia in under-19 at the World Cup. It follows Jackson and Lucy Richardson (below) winning the nationals championship in the pairs in under-19 in Perth earlier this year. Jackson also helped her school, Ballarat Clarendon College, to win the Head of the Lake for girls this year. A star on the rise.
Sara Kennedy, cricket
One of Ballarat’s best young cricketers of the future. Kennedy, at just 15, has already had an incredible career. At 14, she made her debut for Carlton in Premier Cricket for women before playing for Ballarat Clarendon College in boys first later that year. Recently she was selected as a non-travelling reserve for the under-19 women’s World Cup for Australia and has represented Victoria Country at plenty of nationals. A left arm fast bowler who could become the first Ballarat player to play test cricket for the female women’s team.
Sam Lalor, football/cricket
A talented junior who has a tough decision to make in the future to pursue either football or cricket. Lalor last year made the All Australian team in the under-16 national championships in football, playing for Victoria Country. He is also part of the Victoria under-17 emerging talent squad. This year he has been playing for the Greater Western Victoria Rebels in under-18 and goes to St Patrick’s College. A talented half forward flanker/midfielder, he could be one of Ballarat’s next big things in sport.
Hugh McCluggage, football
Originally from Warrnambool, McCluggage went to Ballarat Clarendon College before being drafted by the Brisbane Lions in 2016. Since then he’s been one of the best midfielders in the game. In 2019 and 2020 he was named as one of the best players under 22 and has also made the shortlist for the All Australian team. In future years he could be an All-Australian, a premiership player and someone who plays more than 250 games.
Amy McDonald, football
McDonald could be Ballarat’s best female footballer. She has won the past three best and fairest awards with Geelong in AFLW and has made 36 appearances for the Cats in her career. McDonald also made the All-Australian team. At 25, she could be a star of the game for future years and be in contention for the next list.
Lachlan O’Keefe, athletics
A talented youngster who is one of the country’s best high jumpers and the best for his age. O’Keefe last year competed at the under-20 World Championships in Cali and can compete in the next titles in 2024. O’Keefe is on his way to becoming a high jumper at a Commonwealth Games and an Olympics.
Alanna Peart, athletics
Ballarat has a history of great walkers and Peart is adding to it. At just 19 she is already one of the best in the world. Peart finished seventh in the 10,000m at the under-20 World Championships in Colombia and won silver in the teams event at the world athletics team walking championships. If she is as successful as her coach, Jared Tallent, in her career, Peart could be on the list in a few years time.
Yual Reath, athletics
Reath could be Ballarat’s next Olympian with the high jumper on track to be at the Paris Olympics next year. The 23-year-old is currently the third best Australian in terms of jumps this year but is the 2022 national champion and competed at the World Championships. His current best jump is 2.25m and only needs a few centimetres more to compete at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.
Ned Renfree, basketball, football
Another athlete who may have to make a choice between one sport and another. The St Patrick’s College student is part of the Greater Western Victoria Rebels team and made his debut recently against Tasmania in under-18. At the same time he’s playing basketball for the Ballarat Miners and was selected as part of an emerging pathways team which had a recent national camp in Canberra. He also played for Victoria Country and won a recent silver at the national championships. The guard is one to look out for in the future and could be on the list later in his career.
Lucy Richardson, rowing
One part of the rowing duo who are about to head overseas to compete for Australia in under-19 at the World Cup. It follows Richardson and Katie Jackson (above) winning the nationals championship in the pairs in under-19 in Perth earlier this year. Richardson also helped her school, Ballarat Clarendon College, to win the Head of the Lake for girls this year. A star on the rise.
Sally Riley, football
I’m surprised Sally Riley didn’t make the original top 200 list. She’s been influential in helping the women’s game grow not only in Ballarat but around the country. After helping Redan to win an A-grade premiership in netball, Riley turned to football and played for Adelaide and Gold Coast in AFLW. She won a premiership with the Crows in 2017 becoming the first Ballarat person to achieve it. Now, she’s coaching the next generation of young stars to come from Ballarat. She is a teacher at Ballarat Clarendon College and is now the head coach of the under-18 girls Greater Western Victoria Rebels team. If she remains in the role for a few years, the best talent to come from Ballarat will be nurtured by her. A fantastic coach on the rise.
Paige Scott, football
Scott is one of the rising stars in the AFLW competition after making her debut last season for Essendon. The forward, from Carisbrook and Avoca, played for the Greater Western Victoria Rebels before being drafted. A powerful forward who can play in the midfield, Scott is someone to look out for in future years.
Cooper Sherman, athletics
A talented athlete who represented Australia last year in the under-20 World Championships in Cali, Colombia. Sherman is talented at the 100m, 200m and 400m and set his personal best time in each discipline last year. He’s among the top few Aussie athletes in all three disciplines and keeps getting faster. If he can get to an Olympics, or even Commonwealth Games at Ballarat, who knows how far his career can go.
Matt Short, cricket
Short made the original 200 but missed the cut for the top 50, mainly as his career in cricket was just getting started. The 27-year-old is now a permanent part of the Victorian one day and Sheffield Shield team and won last year’s Big Bash player of the year for the Adelaide Strikers. He averaged the most runs in the competition and helped the Strikers to some famous wins that season. He has also become the first Ballarat player to play in the prestigious Indian Premier League. By the time his career finishes he could be a test player and a T20 and ODI player for Australia. If it happens, he’ll be higher on the next list for sure.
Lucy Stephan, rowing
Another rower who made the top 200 most influential after success in rowing. She is a gold medallist at both the Olympics and the World Championships and has a chance to add to those tallies next year in Paris at the Olympics and at the World Championships in Belgrade this year.
Blake Thomson, cricket
One of Victoria’s best Premier Cricket players. The East Ballarat junior has scored more than 500 runs in each of the past seven seasons for Melbourne in firsts and did play for Victoria in three one day games in 2017. At just 25, he could still play for Victoria and press for higher honours.
Sophie Van De Heuvel, football
A talented footballer and cricketer, who decided to pursue football as an adult. In cricket, Van De Heuvel represented Cricket Australia XI and Victoria Country at the under-18 championships while also playing Premier Cricket. She was a right arm fast bowler and a solid batsmen. Van De Heuvel then turned to AFL and was drafted by Geelong in 2019 and played 31 games for them before moving to Essendon last season. A midfielder and forward player, she was part of the All Australian at the under-18 national championships before she was drafted. A talented footballer who could be around for a few more years, she could be on the next list done.
Katrina Werry, rowing
Werry was another sportsperson in the top 200 most influential after a stellar career so far with gold at two World Championships in rowing. She is also a four time Ballarat Sportsperson of the Year, after winning last year. With the Olympics next year and Werry likely to compete, any success from her could have her higher on the list in the future. A gold medal and further success could have her higher when the voting is done again. She was unlucky not to make the top 50 in this edition.
Thug bashes woman, steals five cars from Ballarat business
A Ballarat man falsely imprisoned a driver as he fled from the police after stealing five cars from an agriculture business during a wild crime spree.
Pictures: Victorian preppies start their first day of school
About 70,000 Victorian grade prep students have started their first year of school this week. Check back to see all the photos from primary schools across the state.