The best 30 plus young guns in the Ballarat league
There’s plenty of exciting young talent within the ranks of Ballarat league clubs. Here’s a look at the best.
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In every competition there are always the next generation of stars who show glimpses of their potential, or take the game on and dominate.
Ballarat is no different with multiple players taking centre stage this season to be among the best in the league.
We’ve compiled a list of the best who have impressed this year in the Ballarat league.
VFL players are listed but they had to play more than six games for their local club this season.
So here are the best young guns this season.
Andrew Azzopardi, Darley
The winger has been impressive after suffering a serious injury last year. He’s kicked a goal a game and played every game for Darley this season.
Angus Bade, Ballarat
The Footscray listed VFL player has been impressive in the backline for the Swans in the limited games he has played. In eight games, he’s been in the best in four.
Jack Bambury, Sebastopol
The rebounding half-back has been one of the best for Sebastopol this season, helping his team to be a premiership threat. He’s been in the best in eight of the 16 games.
Kyle Borg, Melton
The Bloods winger has played for both the reigning premiers and for Port Melbourne in the VFL. Not only is he good on the wing but he knows how to kick a goal or two. Borg has kicked 13 goals in nine games.
Cody Brand, Sunbury
The former Essendon player has returned to his junior club and immediately been one of the best. Playing as both a key forward and defender, Brand has kicked 26 goals in 16 games, including three hauls of five goals or more.
Liam Canny, East Point
A small forward who is the second leading goalkicker for the Kangaroos. Canny has kicked 21 goals.
Cody Chapman, Melton South
Been one of the shining lights in a tough season for the Panthers. Chapman won last year’s best and fairest and is more than likely to win it again.
Nick Cushing, Redan
The ruckman has only played a couple of senior games but is one to look out for in the future.
Jake Egan, Sunbury
A midfielder who knows how to kick a goal or two. Egan has kicked 15 goals in 16 games and is ranked among the top in the league for clearances and contested possessions.
Conrad Farrugia, Melton
Has worked his way into the senior team this season off the back of impressive performances in defence. Has played 12 games for the reigning premiers this season.
Mitch Fino, Melton South
Another player who has stood out in a tough season for the Panthers. The young gun has played 11 games and is another tackling machine.
Adam Forbes, Sebastopol
Forbes has been impressive in his first two seasons of senior footy. He kicked 12 goals last year and now has 19 goals this season.
Izaac Grant, Redan
Has been instrumental in helping the Lions to play finals. Not only is he the leading goalkicker in the competition, with 54 goals, but he’s played plenty of minutes in the midfield.
Harrison Hanley, Melton
The utility played in last year’s grand final and has been a key player this season before he ruptured his ACL in July. Despite the injury he played eight games and was among the best in three of them.
Jed Hill, Sebastopol
Capable of playing in multiple positions. Hill kicked 13 goals in 11 games and was in the best in three of them.
Liam Howard, East Point
The defender has been among the best in half of the games he has played. Howard represented Ballarat in the interleague game and has been pivotal in helping East Point make the finals.
Jack Jeffrey, East Point
Another Kangaroo young gun who knows how to find a goal. Jeffrey kicked 18 goals in 16 matches.
Will Johnson, Darley
The young gun is one of the leading goalkickers in the competition, kicking 38 goals in 17 games. Has kicked two or more goals a game in 11 matches this season.
Liam Latch, Sebastopol
The midfielder has impressed since coming from Maryborough in the off-season. He has almost kicked a goal a game and provided valuable assistance to a midfield who made the grand final last year.
Harry Lawson, Redan
The former Kyneton player has impressed for both the GWR Rebels and Redan this season. Lawson has averaged almost a goal a game in 11 matches for the Lions and been in the best in five games.
Will Liston, Ballarat
One of the rising stars in the competition. Last year the Ballarat Swans midfielder won the club’s best and fairest. This year, he has had another great season, being among the best for the Swans. He’s been named in the best in 12 of 16 games.
Flynn Loader, Lake Wendouree
The former Greater Western Victoria Rebel has been one of the leading forwards for the Lakers this year, kicking 10 goals in 13 games. On four occasions he has kicked two goals in a match.
Riley Miller, Sunbury
A winger who knows how to run with the ball. He has been in the best players in eight of 15 games.
Harrison Minton-Connell, Sunbury
The midfield gun has been in the best for the Lions in nine of 13 games and made his debut in the VFL this year.
Joel Muir, Sunbury
The ruckman is one of the leading hit out winners in the league and has played 12 games for the club this season.
Riley O‘Keefe, Sebastopol
The key defender is one of the best players in the league for spoils and has helped Sebastopol to become a leading contender for this year’s title. Has played all but three games this season for the team.
Jack Parente, Bacchus Marsh
The co-captain has been one of the leaders in a defence which has come under plenty of pressure this year. Parente has been among the best in nine of 16 games for the Cobras.
Riley Polkinghorne, North Ballarat
A ball winning machine who is one of the favourites to take out the best and fairest at not only North Ballarat but the league. Polkinghorne has averaged more than 30 disposals and been in the best in 13 of 15 games. Has been instrumental in helping the Roosters make the finals.
Jack Riding, North Ballarat
Riding has had another great season up forward, kicking 16 goals in nine matches. He would have kicked more but the VFL listed player has also been playing for Werribee this season.
Josh Sparkman, North Ballarat
The running defender has played every game for North Ballarat this season, after playing for the GWR Rebels last year. Has impressed coach Brendan McCartney throughout the season.
Jake Sutton, Sunbury
A gun young forward who is one of the leading goalkickers in the competition, kicking 37 goals in 11 games. Sutton has also been part of the Essendon VFL squad, playing three games for them this season.
Jamie Quick, North Ballarat
Has kicked the same amount of goals for the Roosters this year, 39, in less games than last year. He’s kicked the goals in 12 games compared to 16. Quick has also played for Geelong in the VFL, playing five games for the Cats, to show his talent as a forward.
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