Calder Cannons have produced some of the very best players since 1995
The Calder Cannons have been a dominant force on the field and on draft day since their first season in 1995. Check out our list of the top talents to have played in the AFL and AFLW.
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Calder Cannons were formed in 1995 to provide a pathway for talented youngsters in Melbourne’s north-west.
The club has gone on to become one of the most dominant in TAC Cup/NAB League history with six boys premierships and one girls title.
In that time some of its graduates have gone on to become superstars of the AFL.
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Such is the depth of talent, some genuinely good players missed selection in the top 20, including the likes of Brent Reilly, Jake Carlisle and Touk Miller.
Young guns like Rhylee West, Ben Ronke and Georgie Patrikios will no doubt make their case in the coming years.
See our list of the Calder Cannons’ best graduates below and have your say.
20. ADAM SAAD
Junior club: West Coburg
Drafted: Rookie pick No.25, 2014
Saad wasn’t actually drafted out of the Cannons but that doesn’t mean he should miss out. After being overlooked at the draft, Saad starred with Coburg in the VFL, winning the club’s best-and-fairest in 2014 and catching Gold Coast’s eye. He wasted no time establishing himself at AFL level playing 16 games in his debut year. After three years in Queensland, he returned to Victoria and is one of Essendon’s main attacking weapons with his speed off half-back.
19. MITCH WALLIS
Junior club: St Bernard’s
Drafted: No.22 (father-son), 2010
A two-time premiership winner with the Cannons, Wallis captained the 2010 team and claimed best-on-ground honours in the grand final. The classy midfielder managed six games in 2011 and finished third in the 2012 Rising Star award. Having established himself as a key member of the Dogs midfield, a devastating broken leg robbed him of the chance to play in the club’s drought-breaking premiership. In recent years, Wallis has settled in the forward line and leads the Dogs’ with 20 majors so far in 2020.
18. BRANDON ELLIS
Junior club: West Coburg
Drafted: No.15, 2011
An attacking half-back or wingman, Ellis arrived as Richmond struggled but departed eight years later with two premiership medallions and a Jack Titus Medal as runner-up in the Tigers’ best-and-fairest. Ellis’ run and carry was pivotal in Richmond’s rise up the ladder as he combined with Dustin Martin to break open rival defences. Gold Coast hope he can bring that same attacking flair to the developing Suns team.
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17. RYAN CROWLEY
Junior club: Gisborne
Drafted: No.55, 2002
Originally drafted in 2002, Crowley didn’t play a game for Fremantle in his first two seasons and was delisted. However, being redrafted in the 2005 rookie draft appears to be the kick up the backside he needed. Crowley played 15 games in 2005 and by 2008 was one of the most feared taggers in the AFL. His ability to shutdown the opposition’s best player every week saw him rewarded with the 2012 Doig Medal as Fremantle’s best-and-fairest. Crowley finished his career with one season at Essendon as a top-up player in 2016.
16. CAM GUTHRIE
Junior club: Sunbury
Drafted: No.23, 2010
Arriving after two premierships and a best-and-fairest with the Cannons, Guthrie was handed Gary Ablett’s No.29. No pressure kid. He would play two games in 2011 and miss out on the Cats’ premiership but established himself in 2012 with 18 games. Guthrie has since been one of Chris Scott’s most trusted players, performing run-with roles across the ground and playing at least 20 games in all but one season. In 2020, Guthrie has marked himself as a key part of the Cats’ midfield.
15. MADISON PRESPAKIS
Junior club: Sunbury
Drafted: No.3, 2017
Such has been Prespakis’ impact since arriving at the AFL Women’s level, she demanded a place on this list despite playing only two seasons at the top level. The star midfielder won the AFLW Rising Star in her debut year and followed it up with the AFLW Best-and-Fairest Medal in her second. Prespakis has also won Carlton’s best-and-fairest and been named in the All-Australian team in both years. No player drafted out of the NAB League has had a bigger impact at AFLW level.
14. JOE DANIHER
Junior club: Aberfeldie
Drafted: No.10 (father-son), 2012
A famous Essendon name and if injury hadn’t cruelled Daniher’s last three years he would be much, much higher on this list. He was on the cusp of stardom before in 2017, winning the Crichton Medal, All-Australian honours, Mark of the Year and kicking 65 goals. However, the mercurial forward played just seven and four matches in 2018 and 2019 respectively. Daniher played his first game of 2020 in Round 14 but Essendon faces a battle to retain his services past this year after almost losing him to Sydney at the end of last year.
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13. TOM LONERGAN
Junior club: Yarrawonga
Drafted: No.23, 2002
Lonergan’s career was very nearly over before it had really begun when a freak collision saw him hospitalised, placed in an induced coma and a kidney removed in 2006. However, less than a year later he was back on the football field in one of the most inspiring football comebacks. Lonergan won a VFL premiership in 2007, claiming the Norm Goss Medal as best afield and in 2011 was a member of Geelong’s AFL premiership team. The reliable backman returned to the Cannons when he was appointed Talent Manager in 2019.
12. MARK JOHNSON
Junior club: Diggers Rest/Sunbury
Drafted: Rookie pick No.12, 1997
One of the most courageous players of the era, Johnson was an enforcer in the Bombers midfield and defence during his 208 games. Debuting in 1999, Johnson established himself in 2000, playing 24 games in the Bombers’ premiership season. His best campaign would come in 2002 as he was rewarded with the Crichton Medal as Essendon’s club champion. After being delisted in 2007, Johnson spent one year with Fremantle, playing 14 games.
11. DANIEL TALIA
Junior club: Greenvale
Drafted: No.13, 2009
Talia had to wait a year and a half to make his AFL debut, playing nine games in 2011. However, his patience was rewarded with a breakout campaign that saw him named the AFL Rising Star in 2012, ahead of GWS’s Jeremy Cameron and Cannons teammate Mitch Wallis. He has gone on to become one of the most effective defenders of his generation. Talia further proved his talent by claiming the Malcolm Blight Medal in 2014 as Adelaide’s best-and-fairest and two All-Australian honours.
10. TOM LIBERATORE
Junior club: St Bernard’s
Drafted: No.40 (father-son), 2010
Following in his father’s footsteps, “Libba” has been a star in the Bulldogs midfield thanks to his ability to win the hard ball and tackle on the rare occasion he doesn’t. Claimed the Charlie Sutton Medal in his fourth season before being struck down with a knee reconstruction but he returned to play a key part in the Dogs’ drought-breaking premiership in 2016. Liberatore was one of the best on the big day, collecting 22 disposals and eight tackles. A member of the Cannons’ back-to-back TAC Cup premierships in 2009-10.
9. JASON JOHNSON
Junior club: Kilmore
Drafted: No.28, 1996
While the likes of James Hird and Matthew Lloyd stole the headlines, Essendon may not have been the powerhouse it was without the likes of Johnson. The hard-at-it midfielder burst on to the scene in 2000, playing all 25 games as the Bombers cruised to the premiership. A critical member of the Bombers’ engine room, Johnson averaged more than 20 disposals from 2001 to 2008, claiming the Crichton Medal in 2001 and 2005 and named in the All-Australian team in 2001.
8. JUDE BOLTON
Junior club: Aberfeldie
Drafted: No.8, 1998
Briefly held the all-time tackles record and remains the single-game tackles record holder with 19 (equal with Jack Ziebell and Tom Liberatore). But Bolton was more than a tackle machine, the midfielder was an elite inside ball-winner, averaging as many contested possessions as uncontested during his career. Bolton was a key member of Sydney’s 2005 and 2012 premiership teams and helped develop the famous “Bloods” culture with his team-first attitude and commitment to the contest.
7. DION PRESTIA
Junior club: Greenvale
Drafted: No.9, 2010
A two-time premiership player with the Cannons, the former Gold Coast and current Richmond star will no doubt finish his career much higher in this list. He’s already made a fine start, finishing second in the Suns’ best-and-fairest in just his third season – behind Gary Ablett. However, Prestia’s career has gone to another level with the Tigers. Now a two-time AFL premiership player and 2019 Jack Dyer Medallist. Still only 27, Prestia will continue to be a key part of Richmond’s midfield brigade for years to come.
6. DARREN MILBURN
Junior club: Kilmore
Drafted: No.48, 1995
A tough as nails defender, Milburn was the backbone of Geelong’s defence for more than a decade. A key part of Geelong’s 2007 and 2009 premierships but an emergency for the 2011 grand final, robbing him of the hat-trick. Debuting in 1997, the Kilmore junior played at least 20 games in 10 of his 15 years at the top, being named in the All-Australian team in 2007 when he averaged 22 disposals and seven marks a game. Represented Victoria in the 2008 tribute match and Australia in the 2005 international rules series.
5. RYAN O’KEEFE
Junior club: St Kevin’s
Drafted: No.56, 1999
When Sydney called out O’Keefe’s name, little did it know it had just snapped up one of the all-time draft bargains. O’Keefe would go on to play a key role in the Swans’ 2005 and 2012 premierships, winning the Norm Smith Medal in the latter. He would also claim the Bob Skilton Medal in 2009 and be named All-Australian in 2006. O’Keefe’s brilliance wasn’t limited to Sydney as he claimed the Jim Stynes Medal as Australia’s best player in the 2006 international rules series against Ireland.
4. JAMES KELLY
Junior club: Rupertswood
Drafted: No.17, 2001
A true warrior of the game, Kelly played at least 17 games in 13 of his 16 years in the top flight, finishing with 313 games. Damaging either in the midfield or half-back, Kelly was a key member of Geelong’s three premierships in 2007, 2009 and 2011 but didn’t get the accolades some of his teammates received, named All-Australian just once. Kelly would finish his career at Essendon, helping the club through and recover from the crippling supplements saga.
3. PAUL CHAPMAN
Junior club: Northern Saints
Drafted: No.31, 1999
“Chappy” was a key member of Geelong’s three-premiership dynasty, proving a match-winner either in the midfield or when moved forward. Claimed the Carji Greeves Medal in 2006, beating out future Brownlow Medallists Jimmy Bartel and Gary Ablett and three years later Chapman’s 26 disposals and three goals, including a match-winner, secured him the Norm Smith Medal in 2009. Add in two All-Australian jackets and it’s an enviable resume.
2. EDDIE BETTS
Junior club: Templestowe
Drafted: Pre-season pick No.3, 2004
You’d be hard pressed to find anyone who doesn’t enjoy watching Eddie Betts play football. He might not have the accolades that some on this list possess but he claims the No.2 spot with what will be a genuine lasting legacy in the game. The Carlton and Adelaide star is arguably the best small forward in VFL/AFL history with 613 goals (up to Round 15, 2020) and one of only three players to have kicked 300 goals for two clubs – along with Tony Locket and Lance Franklin. Betts’ fight against racism is a critical part of his legacy, one that will continue after he’s hung up the boots.
1. DANE SWAN
Junior club: Westmeadows
Drafted: No.58, 2001
Premiership player, Brownlow Medal, AFLPA MVP, five-time All-Australian, three-time Copeland Trophy winner (and runner-up three more times). It’s a glittering resume for the Westmeadows junior. Swan played just 30 games in his first four seasons at Collingwood before breakouts seasons in 2006 and 2007 as he became one of the most damaging midfielders in the game. Led the league in total disposals in 2009-11 and 2012 but was also a threat in front of goals, kicking 211 majors in 258 games.
