Gippsland Football League’s top 21 footballers revealed
After an interrupted 2021 season, we’ve ranked the best players in the competition for the Gippsland League.
Bass Coast News
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The Gippsland Football League is full of talented players that have made their mark in the competitive world of regional football.
But who are the best players in the 2021 competition?
Here’s who made the list.
Simon Deery (Bairnsdale)
The tall defender was voted top player in the Gippsland League in 2018. Deery missed the 2019 season due to injury but has returned to form this season. He has VFL experience and was part of two time Gippsland League team of the year. He was named in the best five times in the nine games he has played this season
Brayden McCarrey (Bairnsdale)
Arguably the best small forward in the Gippsland League, McCarrey has excellent goal sense and overall skill. He was named in the best in all bar two games he has played this season kicking 13 goals with a bag of four against Sale in round 2. He was part of two time Gippsland League team of the year and a Gippsland interleague league representative in 2019. McCarrey battled an injury in 2020 which has seen him miss a large portion of the 2021 season.
Shannen Lange (Sale)
Right-footer Shannen Lange made his senior debut for Sale while still playing Under 16 football in 2010. He went on to Gippsland Power, finishing runner-up in a best and fairest, and then on to Bendigo Gold in the VFL in 2013. Lange played in Port Melbourne’s 2017 premiership, had more than 100 VFL games and was in the 2019 VFL team of the year. Lange was named in the best seven times this season.
Jake Best (Traralgon)
The marquee recruit is best known for his goalkicking, with the former Leongatha forward kicking 92 goals in his last Gippsland League season. Best comes from Vermont after kicking 168 goals in his 68 games in the EFL. To date, Best has kicked 30 goals this season which included a bag of 7 against Bairnsdale. He is currently the second highest goal kicker in the league this season.
Ed Carr (Maffra)
A product of the Maffra junior football system, Carr is one of the competition’s elite inside midfielders. Strength, fearlessness and winning contested possession are the hallmarks of his game. Carr returned to the club in 2018 after a great VFL career at Williamstown which
included a premiership, 100 plus senior games and life membership. He played in the TAC Cup for Gippsland Power and is averaging slightly above 30 disposals per game in the 2021 season.
Jack Johnstone (Sale)
Appointed the senior coach of Sale, Johnstone is an inside midfielder. He was a Maffra junior player and returned to the club in 2017 after a four-year stint with Williamstown in the VFL. He played in Williamstown’s 2015 premiership under the coaching of Andy Collins and he figured in Maffra’s 2019 flag alongside Port Melbourne great Pleming.
Cameron Manuel (Moe)
Manuel was a star recruit and offers EFL, WAFL and AFL Vic Metro experience. He has a senior EFL league best and fairest to his name and is a highly skilled midfielder. Manuel was named in the best twice this season and kicked a bag of four against Sale and three against Warragul.
James Read (Maffra)
Read was recruited to the club in his top age under 16 year. He is a stalwart in defence, more often than not playing a key position and regularly taking on and beating opposition key forwards with his defensive work and strong spoiling. He has a no fuss approach, a strong work ethic, prepares well and can also take a turn in the ruck with great effect. Read was a key member of the 2016 and 2019 senior premiership sides. He was also one of the youngest players to reach the 100 game milestone in the history of the club.
Jarryd Blair (Wonthaggi)
After spending two seasons in the VFL as a playing assistant coach with Port Melbourne, Blair returned to his junior club Wonthaggi as their senior playing coach this season. He brings a wealth of experience after playing 157 games for Collingwood kicking 121 goals. He was also a 2010 premiership player with the Pies.
Alex Carr (Maffra)
Carr was a product of the Maffra junior football system and began his senior career while still in his junior years before going to Gippsland Power. He is an integral part of the midfield group and is a strongly built competitor, fearless tackler and possesses a booming kick. Carr was a 2019 premiership player, won the Morrish Medal in 2014 and has had VFL experience with Williamstown, Essendon and Port Melbourne.
Jack Blair (Wonthaggi)
The 2017 league best and fairest returned after two seasons away in the VFL and NFNL. Blair is a crafty mid that racks up possessions. He was named in the best five times this year from his 10 games and averaging a goal a game.
Kristian Jaksch (Moe)
Jaksch was drafted with pick 12 in the 2012 AFL national draft to Greater Western Sydney. He was traded to Carlton in 2015 and played a total of 14 AFL games. The big forward is leading the goal kicking this year with 36 goals. He kicked a bag of eight against Leongatha and is averaging more than three goals a game.
Brad Dessent (Sale)
Dessent is a strong full forward with a big mark. He was the 2019 JC Lawless winner after kicking more than 50 goals. He only managed five games this year with an impressive 15 goal tally across those games. Dessent kicked eight against Warragul in one game.
Ed Morris (Drouin)
Morris was 2019’s number one ranked player in the end of season Top 50. He was a clear standout in Drouin’s return to finals football. He is best known for his effort and energy and is one of the best tacklers in the league.
Aaron Heppell (Leongatha)
Heppell returned to the club for his first full season since 2015. He has a great VFL career that spanned 88 games for Essendon. He won the R.A Freeman Medal as the VFL Bombers’ best and fairest in 2016, 2018 and 2019.
Tom Marriot (Leongatha)
The midfielder was named in the best four times this year. His strength, poise and ability to win the contested ball makes him a standout in the league. Marriot was also the 2018 league best and fairest winner.
Danny Butcher (Maffra)
Butcher has blossomed as a leader within the club and has an obvious passion and fearless attack on the ball. He is a tough midfielder equally at home playing an inside or outside role. Butcher was a member of the 2016 and 2019 premiership sides taking out the club best and fairest in both years. He was regular member of the Gippsland Power side in 2010 and 2011, winning Power’s best and fairest and finished runner-up in the Morrish Medal in 2011. He has played more than 100 senior games for the club.
Declan Keilty (Moe)
Keilty was drafted by Melbourne with pick 41 in the 2017 rookie draft. He played two games for the Demons before being delisted at the end of 2019 season. He returned to his junior club Moe for this season after being appointed as a playing assistant and development coach in the league. Keilty was named in the best for seven out of his nine games this season.
Mitch Bennett (Maffra)
Bennett has won multiple best on grounds in the Gippsland League grand finals. Bennett has only been named in the best once but he has managed to contribute 14 goals this season to date. He is a player to watch in the future.
Ethan East (Bairnsdale)
The young forward has taken great steps in the 2021 season and has shown he has potential to be a major key forward in the competition. East has the ability to influence outcomes both forward and in the ruck. East kicked 16 goals this season and named in the best three times.
Aiden Lindsay (Wonthaggi)
Lindsay is best known for his consistency and ball skills. He is always ranked high in the best player stats due to his elite midfield skills. Lindsay has been named in the best six times this season.
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