Country footy: North Central, Loddon Valley, Heathcote, Central Murray and Golden Rivers best players
We’ve revealed the hidden country footy gems from the Central Victoria region. Now it’s time to choose who is best. VOTE HERE.
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The Central Victoria region is home to some of the best hidden gems in country footy.
From those competitions based near Bendigo to those further up north near the border and the River Murray, there is plenty of talent on show.
Here’s a look at some of the best players from across five competitions and you can vote for who you think is best below.
Kaiden Antonowicz, White Hills (Heathcote)
Led the goal kicking last year in the competition and is on track to do it again. Has kicked 50 goals in 13 games this season.
Jhye Baddeley-Kelly, Boort (North Central)
The former VFL player has fitted right in at the Magpies after joining from North Heidelberg in the off-season. The midfielder has been in the best players in eight of 10 games and helped Boort to a potential finals spot.
Nathan Basile, Colbinabbin (Heathcote)
The midfielder has impressed for the Grasshoppers since moving to the club at the start of the year. Has been among the best players in nine of 11 games.
Andrew Browne, Donald (North Central)
Has made an immediate impact after moving from the Mininera league to the North Central league. The ruckman has been in the best players in nine of 11 games for Donald this season.
Thomas Bull, Ultima (Golden Rivers)
Finished runner up last year in the best and fairest for Golden Rivers and could be on track to go one better this year. The midfielder has been among the best players in six of eight games.
Jack Cattanach, Hay (Golden Rivers)
Could be leading the best and fairest in the competition. The ball magnet has been in the best players in 10 of 11 games and is averaging more than a goal a game. Recently, he got 56 disposals in one match and kicked two goals.
Tyson Clingan, Kerang (Central Murray)
One of the rising stars of the competition. Has been a consistent senior player in recent years but 2024 has been a career best.
Wade Donnan, Sea Lake Nandaly (North Central)
With his brother, Trent, absent this season after winning the North Central best and fairest in 2023, Wade has lifted to keep the Tigers in the hunt for back-to-back premierships. He’s played 12 games with the midfielder being in the best players in 11 of them.
Harley Durward, St Arnaud (North Central)
The stalwart at St Arnaud has impressed in a tough season for the club. Despite having the worst defence in the league, Durward has been among the best players at centre half back. He’s been in the best in seven of 12 games.
Ben Edwards, Birchip-Watchem (North Central)
The leading goalkicker in the competition with 76 goals from nine matches. The former Port SANFL player has now almost kicked 150 goals in his two seasons with the club.
Brodie Fry, Huntly (Heathcote)
The key defender has held his own against the best forwards in the competition. This included keeping North Bendigo’s Dylan Klemm goalless during the season. Has been in the best players in six out of 10 games.
Jack Geary, Cohuna Kangas (Central Murray)
Took on the coaching role with the club this season and has been reappointed for next year. Been one of his side’s better players.
Brad Green, Leitchville Gunbower (Heathcote)
The new recruit has been one of the best for the Bombers this season. Capable of playing either half back or in the midfield the former Tasmanian has been in the best in eight of 12 games.
Corey Grindlay, Heathcote (Heathcote)
One of the leading goalkickers in the competition. Has scored 48 goals in 13 games and in 11 of them he has kicked two goals or more.
Brandyn Grenfell, NNW United (Central Murray)
The goalkicking machine has found a new club in 2024 and hasn’t slowed down either as the competition’s leading goalkicker.
James Harney, Elmore (Heathcote)
Has kicked almost 40 percent of the teams total this year after returning to Elmore in the off-season. Harney has kicked 42 goals in 12 games and last year kicked 100 goals for Echuca United in the Murray league.
Jack Hickman, Mount Pleasant (Heathcote)
The Bendigo premiership winner has thrived at his new club in the Heathcote league. The half back has been in the best players in eight of 12 matches and averaged more than a goal a game.
Dylan Klemm, North Bendigo (Heathcote)
Has kicked three or more goals in nine 0f 12 games to be one of the leading goalkickers in the Heathcote league. Klemm is currently on 46 goals for the season.
Drew Lloyd, Balranald (Central Murray)
One of the more consistent goalkickers in the competition in recent memory. Enjoying another standout season and played in the interleague game.
Jayden Magro, Tyntynder (Central Murray)
A new face at the club this season after crossing from Shepparton United in the Goulburn Valley League. Has emerged as one of the league’s leading forwards.
Jack McCaig, Marong (Loddon Valley)
Has averaged a goal a game for the two-time premiership champions. On track for one of his best years at the club as the team chases more glory.
Connor McDonald, Tooleybuc Manangatang (Central Murray)
Named captain at the start of the year such was the impression he made in his first year at the club.
Jackson McEwen, Wedderburn (North Central)
The midfielder has been impressive since joining the club during the middle of last year. He’s been in the best players in nine out of 12 games.
Harry McGregor, Mallee Eagles (Central Murray)
The rising star has consistently been in his side’s better players this season.
Ned McKeown, Swan Hill (Central Murray)
Made the move from Macleod in the Northern Football League at the start of the season. He is a key position prospect who can play at both ends of the ground.
Tyler McLeod, Newbridge (Loddon Valley)
Been one of the best for Newbridge this season in the forward line. Has averaged almost a goal a game and been in the best in seven of 12 games.
Tom McGregor, Pyramid Hill (Loddon Valley)
The defensive lynchpin has been one of the best for the Bulldogs this season. He’s helped the Bulldogs to be one of the premiership threats this season.
Josh Mellington, Bears Lagoon Serpentine (Loddon Valley)
One of the leading goalkickers in the Loddon Valley league. Has been dominant this year, averaging more than 10 goals a game.
Maysen Murgov, Wycheproof-Narraport (North Central)
Been one of the best players for the Demons this season after moving from the Essendon District league in the off-season. The utility/ruckman has been among the best in seven of 12 games for the club.
Jaxon Neagle, Balranald (Central Murray)
In his second season with the club and has again been one of the standouts.
James Orr, Heathcote (Heathcote)
The former Kyneton ruckman has impressed in his first season at the Saints. He’s been in the best players in 12 of 13 matches.
Tyler Phillips, Lockington Bamawm United (Heathcote)
Already a two-time best and fairest in the competition with a third not out of the question this year. The ruckman has been in the best players in nine out of 12 games.
Nicholas Rippon, Birchip Watchem (North Central)
Won last year’s best and fairest in the North Central competition and is on track to do it again. He’s been in the best players in nine of 11 games and kicked 29 goals from the midfield.
Justin Robinson, Wandella (Golden Rivers)
The key forward, who is also the coach, is averaging almost three goals a game, helping the team rise up the ladder. On track for his best goal haul in years.
Lachlan Sharp, Bridgewater (Loddon Valley)
The former Strathfieldsaye star forward continues to dominate, but this time in another league. Sharp has kicked 103 goals in 12 matches, including 45 in three games in June.
Ben Taylor, White Hills (Heathcote)
The former Ballarat league best and fairest has helped White Hills to become one of the best teams in the competition. The midfielder has been in the best players in nine of 12 games.
Henry Thompson, Woorinen (Central Murray)
One of the Tigers’ leaders. After making his senior debut during 2021, Thompson has gone onto become one of his side’s most important players.
Zac Warne, Lake Boga (Central Murray)
Returned to the club at the start of the season after a stint in Geelong and has gone onto be the most consistent player for his side.
Declan Watson, Hay (Golden Rivers)
The former VFL and VAFA player is the leading goalscorer in the Golden Rivers with 40 goals from seven matches. Not bad for a player who has played half the season.
Daniel Watts, Nullawil (North Central)
The club stalwart continues to impress even after more than 300 games for Nullawil. He’s played 11 games and had the most bests for the Maroons this year.
Editor’s note: Details in this story about each player were published in early July.
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