35 of the best country players from AFL North East Border

The AFL North East region is home to some of the best country footballers in the state and they’re putting together big seasons. Here’s who is impressing.

Victoria’s north east is home to some of the best country footballers in the state.

From young guns to premiership heroes, to best and fairests, we’ve found 35 of the best from across the region.

George Alexander (Osborne, Hume)

Now in his second stint with the club, Alexander is one of the league’s leading forwards. His goals tally this year are already a career best.

Ben Baker (Howlong, Hume)

We've named our leading performers from the AFL North East region.

An experienced head with his respective club and is a consistent performer every week.

Cy Banks (Bright, Ovens and King)

A young player who moved to the club at the start of this season, he’s emerged as a nice goalkicker.

Jacob Barber (Kiewa Sandy Creek, Tallangatta & District)

Remains one of his side’s most consistent players as they chase a premiership.

Brady Bartlett (Milawa, Ovens and King)

In his second season with the Demons, Bartlett has exploded in front of goal to become one of the leading goalkickers in the competition.

Martin Brennan (Rutherglen, Tallangatta & District)

Has made an immediate impact upon on his return to the competition. A former VFL player who is a goalkicking midfielder.

Oliver Browne (Jindera, Hume)

Browne is among the most consistent players in his local competition.

Jackson Carey (Brock/Burrum, Hume)
The youngster has been impressive since making his way to the club for this season. Capable of turning a game on its head in front of goal.

Jamie Dunne (Goorambat, Ovens and King)

Continues to be one of the most consistent players for his side.

Campbell Fendyk (Beechworth, Tallangatta and District)

The reigning league medal winner continues to be one of the best in the competition.

Campbell Fendyk.

Luke Gerecke (Thurgoona, Tallangatta & District)

Enjoying a strong season off the back of an impressive 2024. He is one of the leading forwards in the competition.

Ben Hall (Cudgewa, Upper Murray)

Has taken his game to another level this season as a leading forward in the league.

James Hanrahan (CDHBU, Hume)

Featured in the interleague game this season. A leading midfielder for the Power.

Joel Heiner (Bullioh, Upper Murray)

Been one of his side’s most consistent this season as they’ve risen to second on the ladder.

Mitchell Hemming (Chiltern, Tallangatta & District)

A super reliable player for the Swans and is super clean around the contest.

Tom Johnson (Barnawartha, Tallangatta & District)

A consistent player since stepping up from the junior grades in recent seasons. Capable of playing a host of positions.

Braydon Kearns (Milawa, Ovens and King)

Finished in the top-two in his club’s best-and-fairest last season and is having an arguably better 2025.

Emerson Lemkau (Dederang Mt Beauty, Tallangatta & District)

Didn’t play footy last season but would be right in the mix for his club’s best-and-fairest. Often named on the wing for his side.

Nash Macaulay (Bullioh, Upper Murray)

The youngster has thrived with more senior opportunities this year and become a consistent goalkicker.

James McClounan (Greta, Ovens and King)

Putting together another impressive season as one of the league’s finest goalkickers and consistent players.

Conor McDowell (Tallangatta, Tallangatta & District)

In his first season with the club after moving from Queensland. He’s consistently appeared in the better players.

Ben McIntosh (Yackandandah, Tallangatta & District)

Continues to be one of his side’s most consistent player as he has in recent seasons winning best-and-fairest awards.

Ben McIntosh.

Mackinley Miller (Billabong Crows, Hume)

His side’s reigning best-and-fairest. He’s again been one of the league’s most consistent players.

William Mitchell (Murray Magpies, Hume)

Has received more senior opportunities this season and has delivered in droves as one of his side’s most consistent players.

Tyson Neander (Thurgoona, Tallangatta & District)

One of the elite midfielders in his local competition, Neander also has the ability to go forward and kick goals.

Connor Newnham (Kiewa Sandy Creek, Tallangatta & District)

Currently the leading goalkicker on the competition, Newnham is building off a strong year for the Hawks in 2024.

Michael Newton (Whorouly, Ovens and King)

Has been one of the standout new faces in his competition, immediately becoming one of the best, if not the best, forwards.

Heath Ohlin (Henty, Hume)

An experienced head who remains one of his side’s most consistent players.

Heath Ohlin (left).

Lawrence Roberts (Wahgunyah, Tallangatta & District)

A new recruit from Western Australian at the start of the season, Roberts has become one of the Lions most important.

Joel Sanford (Bonnie Doon, Ovens and King)
The smooth moving Sanford has been impressive this season, adding more goalkicking power to his game.

Charlie Schneider (Lockhart, Hume)

Has been a consistent goalkicker for his side this season in a very different looking role.

John Spencer (Cudgewa, Upper Murray)

Comfortably the country’s leading goalkicker this season with almost 70 in eight games.

Cooper Thomason (Bright, Ovens and King)

Remains one of the leading forwards in the North East region and is enjoying another strong season in front of goal.

James Waters (Tumbarumba, Upper Murray)

Has been a consistent player for his side throughout the season.

Charlie White (Culcairn, Hume)

Has emerged as one of the competition’s leading defenders since crossing from Jindera.