Goulburn Valley League’s top 25 footballers revealed

With seven rounds of football played in the Goulburn Valley League season, who are the best players in the competition so far? Here’s who we’ve ranked in the top 25.

Jack Hellier has been one of the recruits of the season.

The Goulburn Valley League is home to some of the finest talents in country Victoria.

It is the nursery to some of the best players in the AFL. But who are the best 25 players in the competition so far?

After seven rounds of football, this is who made the list.

Michael Mattingly (Kyabram)

The best player in the competition’s powerhouse in 2019 after he took home the Morrison Medal. Unfortunately, his 2021 season is over after suffering a serious knee injury. But after taking on the co-coaching duties he didn’t appear to be showing any signs of slowing down. A smooth mover who always has time with the footy in his hands. Despite having so many other quality players around him, Mattingly has the ability to stand out from the crowd. One of the best players outside of the VFL in Victoria.

Tristan Davies (Euroa)

Davies arrived in the competition with plenty of pedigree having played in the NEAFL and he hasn’t let the Magpies down. He leads the competition with 24 goals despite having missed his side’s last game. But he’s proven himself to be more than just a lead up forward having taken impressive contested marks every week. After Euroa went down to Mooroopna without Davies you could see why he is so important to the side.

Andrew Walker (Echuca)

At 35, Walker’s best football might be behind him but he can still swing a game in his side’s favour with a quarter of brilliance. Injuries and suspension have limited him to just four games so far this season but his on-field leadership has been critical for the Murray Bombers when he has been able to get out on the field. His versatility is still remarkable and you wouldn’t be shocked to know he can still sit on some heads if he wants to.

Andrew Walker continues to be a strong performer for Echuca. Photo: Aaron Cook

Nathan Marrone (Rochester)

The experienced Tiger returned to the field with a vengeance in 2021 after finishing with the most votes in the Morrison Medal two years ago, only to be ruled ineligible due to suspension. His form has been nothing short of sensational in the last month, named in his side’s best in three out of four games including a best on ground display against Shepparton United. If Rochester are to get their season back on track, Marrone will play a big part.

Patrick Marks (Mansfield)

The Eagles have relied on Marks to play different roles throughout the season which speaks volumes of his ability. Mansfield have so far outperformed many people’s expectations with its three wins and Marks’ ball-winning ability has been a major factor. He’s also shown how well he can hit the scoreboard, just two short of his previous season best in Eagles colours.

Dylan Scopel (Seymour)

In a side littered with young talent, Scopel’s experience is standing out weekly for the competition’s surprise packets. He has been named in the best, including a dominant display against Kyabram, in every game since round one. Scopel is as courageous as they come in the GVL and Seymour will be leaning on him to lead them through what lays ahead especially after co-captain Kyle Winter-Irving went down with a serious leg injury.

Christopher Nield (Mooroopna)

After crossing from Clarence in the Tasmanian State League, Nield has given John Lamont’s side a strong target inside 50. He currently is the only Cat to have reached double figures with 15 goals from five games. His absence in the last two matches have been telling and they’ll be hopeful of getting him back when footy does return. After being held goalless in round one against Mansfield, he kicked three, four, three then five goals.

Formerly of Clarence Christopher Nield has taken a liking to the GVL. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Zac Keogh (Kyabram)

His off-season switch from Seymour has been one of the best signings of the season. After encouraging displays in his first two games, Keogh has exploded to become one of the Bombers’ most important players as they look to defend their 2019 premiership. He has been named in the best in his last five games and hit the scoreboard in two of those.

Hudson Kaak (Seymour)

Kaak’s transition into senior football in Lions colours arguably couldn‘t have started any better. Part of the under 18s side which finished as runners-up in 2019, the young gun has carried on with his goal kicking ability in the senior side. He has proven himself as more than a handful for opposition defenders with 17 goals from six games. Kaak has yet to kick less than two in a game.

Jordan Harper (Rochester)

Part of a package deal which also saw his brother Lachlan arrive at the club, Jordan would probably be the happier of the pair right now. Playing his best footy on the wing, Harper has been named in the best in five out of seven games. But it’s his scoreboard impact, nine goals, which has the Tigers most excited as they aim to get back on track.

Jordan Harper has been in fine form for Rochester. Photo:

Zac Norris (Kyabram)

Norris hasn’t looked back after taking on the mantle of his side’s star ruckman following the retirement of Jake Reeves. The big man has made his presence known around the ground using his mobility in his favour. His consistency in the middle of the ground is a big win for the midfielders at his feet who often get first use of the footy because of his hit-outs.

BJ Squire (Shepparton Swans)

After returning from Congupna in the Murray League, Squire has immediately made his mark as one of the competition’s premier midfielders. While the Swans might be struggling, with just one win, the smooth mover has consistently given his side every opportunity of taking home the four points. What might be the most impressive thing is the fact he’s been named best on ground against Echuca, Euroa and Kyabram, sides who are all expected to contend at the pointy end of the season.

Ben Reid (Echuca)

When Peter Faulks left the Murray Bombers a gaping hole was left in their defence – enter Ben Reid. The brother of GWS utility Sam, Reid couldn’t have timed his return to Victoria Park any better, slotting into the back six with ease. The former Geelong VFL player has terrific skills which allow him to open up the game through the middle of the ground. While he also has a fantastic ability to play on opposition players of all shapes and sizes.

Sam Martyn (Benalla)

Has already featured for the Saints more times than he did in 2019 and has impressed in all of those. You just need to look back to his 2018 season when he won the Morrison Medal despite missing five games to underline his status in the competition. If Benalla are to finish in the top six this season they’ll be hoping to see more of Martyn.

Sam Martyn has been one of Benalla’s better players.

Kyle Mueller (Kyabram)

Won the competition goal kicking award in 2019 and will be up there again at the end of the season. Mueller has 21 goals to his name so far and is a weekly nightmare for whoever has the pleasure of standing next to him. What makes him so dangerous is his ability to win the ball on the ground and in the air. Still shares a fantastic partnership with former Richmond forward Kayne Pettifer inside 50.

Kane Morris (Echuca)

Another of the competition’s premier ruckmen, Morris has shown he can heavily influence a game when his side needs it. The Murray Bombers big man has done more than his fair share around the ground his year, taking big marks at either end. He currently has 12 goals from seven games which puts him on track to beat his best of 18 in a season three years ago.

Jack Hellier (Euroa)

One of the headline recruits of the off-season, Hellier hasn’t let Euroa down since arriving at the club. The former Collingwood VFL skipper has played all three games so far this season and made a tremendous impact in the first month especially. People around the club have spoken highly of his composure of the footy and the leadership he brings on and off the field which has allowed others around him to flourish.

Jett Trotter (Euroa)

While he may now have several seasons of senior football to his name, Trotter is still a player with lots of potential which should have Magpies supporters excited. He has taken his game to another level in 2021 after kicking 38 goals from 18 games two years ago. With more quality players around him it has allowed Trotter to flourish in a very much improved Euroa side.

Shane Neaves (Shepparton Utd)

Neaves is the definition of consistency at Shepparton United as the Demons can rely on him to get the job done every week. He hasn’t missed a beat in his side’s much improved performances so far this season, being named in the best every week. Importantly, in his last two outings he has kicked three goals which is only going to spell more trouble for opposition sides.

Logan Austin (Rochester)

Straight out of the AFL system, Austin is giving opposition plenty of headaches to start the season. But the biggest issue might be for Tigers coach Steve Stroobants who just can’t decide which end of the ground Austin is more effective at. He has kicked goals every week but he can also go to the opposition’s best forward. It’s a pretty good problem to have.

Former Port Adelaide defender Logan Austin has been a great recruit for Rochester. Picture: Sarah Reed

Mitch Cleeland (Shepparton United)

He might not have grabbed the headlines after arriving from Waaia like former AFL midfielder Brock McLean did at the start of the season but Cleeland has let his football do the talking. Cleeland has quietly gone about his work after exploding onto the GVL scene with two best on ground displays from his first three games. He’s proven himself to be reliable with his skills and often provides a cool head when he’s under pressure.

Anthony Andronaco (Shepparton)

His opportunities in front of goal might have dropped away, coinciding with the Bears’ fall down the ladder, but Andronaco is almost unplayable at his very best. You don’t kick 85 goals in the last two seasons, without some ability and again he has shown it this season. Despite only kicking three goals in his last three games, he is capable of turning it on against the best teams in the competition.

Steve Stroobants (Rochester)

After returning from the VFL in a full-time playing coach role, Stroobants hasn’t hit the scoreboard as much as he would have liked. But that’s not to say he doesn’t have the ability to win the game off his own boot. His five goals against Tatura in round six underlined just how good he can be and he‘s hoping to find that form more in the second half of the year.

William Martinello (Benalla)

You wouldn’t be shocked to see the level of Benalla’s performances when Martinello has been in the side this season. They’ve won two and dropped two, but those two losses have both come against quality opposition. The former VFL star, who won the 2014 Morrison Medal, could quite easily feature in the votes later in the season if he does find his best form.

Nicholas Fothergill (Tatura)

One of the best midfield-forwards in the competition at his very best which is exactly what he has produced this season. Fothergill already has 13 goals for the season as he looks to track down the 35 he kicked in 2018. While Tatura might have slipped down the ladder, Fothergill has shown why he earned a spot on Williamstown’s VFL list back in 2019 with sensational displays.