Murray League’s top 40 footballers revealed of the 2021 season

With just several rounds left in the Murray Football League, we’ve picked the top 40 players so far. Here’s who made the list.

Finals are looming in the Murray Football League but who are the best players? We’ve ranked the top 40.

The Murray Football League is set for an exciting finish as teams look to chase down Tongala who sit on the top of the ladder as finals loom.

The standard of the competition has been improved in 2021 with the arrival of some exciting talent, while youngsters have taken their games to another level.

Here are the players we’ve rated in the top 40 so far this season.

Kane Atkinson (Rumbalara)

Atkinson has been in sensational form, missing out on a place in the best on just three occasions. He is someone his players consistently rely on.

Bailey Bell (Nathalia)

Returned from Tatura midway through the season after a short stint in the Goulburn Valley league and has hit the ground running. He has been named in his side’s best on four occasions since returning. A player for the big stage and someone who could make a real difference come finals time.

Glenn Boyd (Congupna)

Boyd announced himself as one of the best forwards in the competition after crossing from the Central Murray League. He has 37 majors from eight games but has been seen in the past two matches.

James Boyer (Congupna)

The young gun has been one of the Road’s most consistent players. He has 12 goals from 11 games to this point. Boyer has also been named in the best on seven occasions.

Bodhi Butts (Mulwala)

Butts has given Lions’ supporters plenty to get excited about. The 2018 league best and fairest runner-up has the ability to consistently hurt opposition teams with a moment of brilliance.

Tyron Baden (Cobram)

Limited to just two senior games in 2019, Baden arguably couldn’t have produced better football in 2021. He’s been named in the Tigers‘ best every week, including two best on ground displays. Hitting the scoreboard has also been a factor with 23 goals.

Daniel Campbell (Congupna)

Campbell leads the competition’s goalkicking charts with 40 from 12 games this season. He kicked a season-high eight against Barooga earlier this month.

Rhys Cason (Numurkah)

After stepping out of the under 17s, Cason has been one of the shining lights for the Blues in a difficult season. He has missed out on being named in the best on just one occasion and could very well win the best and fairest.

Michael Caven (Echuca United)

Caven came to the Murray league with a big reputation and has backed it up in a disappointing year for the Eagles who sit bottom. He has booted 18 goals for his side and been in the best seven times.

Former Vic Metro under 19 representative Michael Caven has shone for Echuca United. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Clancy Congues (Nathalia)

One of the unsung heroes of the Purps’ line-up, Congues consistently plays a key role for his side. He has been named in their best six times throughout the season.

Harrison Crossley (Mulwala)

A consistent performer over the past several seasons for the Lions, Crossley has again been in strong form this season. With 19 goals from 12 games, he will be key in his side’s hopes of securing a double chance.

Mackenzie Cowley (Tongala)

In his first full season of senior footy, the young gun has captured the imagination of Blues supporters with 25 goals from nine games. He gave a full glimpse of his potential with six goals at the weekend.

Adam De Cicco (Cobram)

The 2019 best and fairest has again been someone the Tigers can rely on in the big moments. He’s had more support around him as they look to secure a top-two spot in the back half of the season.

Liam Evans (Nathalia)

The leading goalkicker for the reigning premiers with 35 from 11 games. His season best of eight came against Cobram in round 8. Evans has 11 goals since footy’s return.

Darren Ewing (Tongala)

The goalkicking star has played just six games but has booted 38 goals to sit towards the top of the competition’s charts. Having kicked goals everywhere he has gone, Ewing will play a big role in the ladder leaders‘ premiership pursuit.

Darren Ewing has been a fantastic recruit for Tongala. Picture: Glenn Campbell.

Todd Gallagher (Deniliquin Rams)

Gallagher is the NSW side’s leading goalkicker as things stand with 17 from his 10 games. But he has backed up his efforts inside 50 with consistent displays.

Grant Gallus (Numurkah)

The experienced head has been nothing short of crucial for his side this season. He has played a consistent brand of footy which stands up on a weekly basis.

Bryce Hall (Deniliquin Rams)

There’s every reason to predict Hall will be high in his side’s best and fairest calculations come the end of the season. He has been a consistent performer as the Rams fight for a place in finals footy.

Alex Hicks (Nathalia)

Purps’ supporters speak very highly of this man’s footy ability and smarts. It is very easy to understand why given his ability to impact a contest at both ends of the ground.

Cam Ilett (Tongala)

It’s a shame he has been limited to just three games so far this season because Murray league supporters know just how good he is. A legend of footy in the NT, the Blues will be hoping their star is back as soon as possible.

Cam Ilett remains one of the best players in the competition. Picture: Justin Kennedy

Hugo Ingham (Congupna)

Since crossing from the Goulburn Valley league, Ingham has thrived at this level. There is rarely a week where you can say he has had a bad game.

Nick Jamieson (Tongala)

In just 11 games, the former Footscray premiership player may well have established himself as the competition’s number one player. Jamieson has been a dominant force in the middle of the ground, appearing in the best a staggering 10 times.

Cooper Leighton-Daly (Barooga)

One of the stars of the Barooga side, Leighton-Daly continues to sit among the top players in the competition. Started the year on fire with three best on ground displays in a row and hasn’t slowed down.

Ryan Lovegrove-Hudson (Rumbalara)

The former Northern league forward is currently averaging four goals a game since returning to Rumba. He hasn’t played since June 13 so his teammates will be keen to see him back as soon as possible.

Darcy McCormack (Cobram)

A consistent source of goals across several seasons for the Tigers, McCormack is again one of the league’s better forwards. He has 37 majors from 12 games so far to sit second in the goalkicking award.

Jack Monigatti (Tongala)

Having returned to the club at the start of the season, Monigatti has established himself as one of the competition’s premier big men. His form after the enforced break has been nothing short of sensational.

Jack Monigatti has been in strong form for Tongala. Picture: Glenn Campbell.

Josh Pell (Moama)

The experienced recruit, formerly of Kyabram, has been a sensational pick up for a young Moama side. His calmness and knowledge of the game has been a standout throughout the season.

Bailey Roberts (Cobram)

A consistent player who his teammates can consistently rely on. After crossing from Numurkah, Roberts has become a dangerous player who can give opposition coaches plenty of headaches.

Angus Robertson (Finley)

Despite the struggles at Finley, Robertson has been doing what he does best since returning to the club. He’s been named best on ground five times which just underlines how important he is to the team’s development.

Tim Robertson (Finley)

One of the most consistent players for the Cats all year. He has been named in the best on eight occasions given his ability to shut down opposition players.

Sean Robinson (Mulwala)

Robinson’s first senior opportunity of the year didn’t come until after the break and he made an immediate impact booting seven goals. He now has 26 from three games and shapes as a match winner come finals.

Brodie Ross (Nathalia)

One of the best big men in the competition. His imposing figure causes plenty of headaches for the opposition given he can play in the ruck and go forward.

Brodie Ross is a very important player for Nathalia. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin.

Jack Russell (Moama)

Russell has taken big steps forward in his development this season producing consistent displays on a weekly basis. He has been in the best on eight occasions.

Ben Ryan (Cobram)

Ryan is making up for lost time this season having been limited to just two reserves games in 2019. He has kicked a goal in all but one game including a best of seven against Numurkah.

Steve Stallion (Rumbalara)

After crossing from competition rivals Cobram, Stallion has been in superb form. He has kicked 12 goals from 11 games including a number of best on ground displays.

Jack Sutherland (Mulwala)

In his first season at the club, Sutherland has won plenty of admirers. He has impressed in different positions but has kicked goals in all but two games.

Jackson Trengove (Barooga)

The former AFL footballer has been a strong performer across all parts of the ground for the Hawks. He has 17 goals from 10 games but has been a dominant force in the ruck when required.

Fraser Verhey (Moama)

After returning to his junior club from Echuca, Verhey has taken his game to another level in 2021. He has consistently been named among his side’s better players.

Blair Whelan (Deniliquin Rams)

After returning to the club at the start of the season, Whelan has established himself as one of the Rams’ better players. And his performances have been brilliant with four best on ground performances.

Bradley Wilson (Mulwala)

One of the Lions’ experienced heads, Wilson has led the way for his side when they’ve needed it most. He has consistently appeared among his team’s better players throughout the season.