40 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, but you might not have heard their names before. Here’s 40 hidden gems.
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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 40 of the best from across the state.
Jack Andison, CDHBU (Hume)
Joined the club at the start of the season from Rutherglen and became a key figure in his side. Has 44 goals in 20 games.
Brady Bartlett, Milawa (Ovens and King)
The ruckman was not only strong in the air but was also handy in front of goal. Bartlett kicked 34 goals in 17 games this season.
Ryan Beveridge, CDHBU (Hume)
The young star enjoyed another standout season for his club finishing as the equal leading goalkicker with 59 in 18 games. He previously played his footy for Corowa-Rutherglen.
James Breen, Tallangatta (Tallangatta)
The leading goalkicker in the competition this season. Breen has kicked 76 goals in 14 games which included 30 goals in two games this season.
Oliver Browne, Jindera (Hume)
Since arriving at the club in 2021, Browne has gone onto become one of its most important players.
Ryan Coates, Wodonga Saints (Tallangatta)
Impressed in his first season at the Saints. Has kicked 42 goals in 10 games.
Kyle Cooper, Chiltern (Tallangatta)
Has had another impressive season, particularly in the final series. Cooper has been in the best players in 12 of 17 games and averaged 1.5 goals per game.
Sam Cox, Benalla All Blacks (Ovens and King)
Only player to have been in the best players in every single game this season. The midfielder was named in the best in 18 out of 18 games. Cox impressed in a tough season for the club.
Fynn Debono, Tumbarumba (Upper Murray)
One of the best players in the Upper Murray league this season and was unlucky not to feature higher in the best and fairest. The Kangaroos midfielder was in the best players in eight of 13 games.
Mark Doolan, Chiltern (Tallangatta)
He might be 40 but Doolan is still playing good footy. Has kicked 64 goals in 19 games and played in a grand final.
Adam Enever, North Wangaratta (Ovens and King)
Made the list last year and has been one of the best players for North Wangaratta this year. Was in the best players in 12 of 18 games.
Jarrad Farwell, Barnawartha (Tallangatta)
Was a joint-winner of this year’s best and fairest in the league. A powerhouse midfielder who knows how to win the ball. He was in the best players in 10 of 17 games.
Cam Fendyk, Beechworth (Tallangatta)
Won back-to-back best and fairests recently in the competition. The talented midfielder knows how to win the ball and averaged almost a goal a game during the season.
Connor Galvin, Osborne (Hume)
One of the prime movers in the competition for a powerhouse right in the premiership mix again.
Luke Gestier, Holbrook (Hume)
The veteran finished as one of the equal leading goalkickers at the end of the home-and-away season with 58 goals, up from 33 last season.
Jordan Harrington, Lockhart (Hume)
Returned to the club at the start of the season and was dominant with 48 goals and 17 mentions in the best.
Matthew Hedin, Bonnie Doon (Ovens and King)
Won this year’s best and fairest in the Ovens and King. The midfielder was impressive this season, being in the best in 14 of 18 games and kicked 28 goals.
Max Hillier, Osborne (Hume)
The talented midfielder signed for the club in the off-season and has gone on to become one of the leading performers. Won the league best and fairest.
Josh Jones, Holbrook (Hume)
One of his side’s co-coaches, he’s as consistent as they come.
Frazer Judd, Greta (Ovens and King)
Almost kicked 100 goals in the season and helped the Blues to win the premiership. He ended the season with 90 goals in 15 games.
Jack Kelly, Greta (Ovens and King)
One of the best midfielders in the competition this year who just fell short of winning the leagues’ best and fairest. Was in the best players in 11 of 20 games.
Jordan Klemke, Henty (Hume)
The rising star continues to go from strength to strength with every game.
Jarred Lane, Howlong (Hume)
One of his side’s most consistent players after crossing from Corowa-Rutherglen.
Zack Leitch, Yackandandah (Tallangatta)
The ruckman won the best and fairest with two other players. In his second season in the Tallangatta league the former Wangaratta Magpies player has become the premier ruckman in the league.
Liam Lisle, Brock/Burrum (Hume)
A young gun who signed with the club at the start of the season. Lisle thrived with the opportunity.
Sully Malay, Goorambat (Ovens and King)
One of the best players for the Bats this year. Has averaged almost a goal a game and was in the best players in 14 of 20 games.
Michael McWilliams, Culcairn (Hume)
In his second season with the club and continuing to be an important player up forward.
Mackinley Miller, Billabong Crows (Hume)
Arrived at the club at the start of the season, Miller has proven he’s capable of playing right across the ground.
Ashley Murray, Bullioh (Upper Murray)
Named in the team of the year for the competition and was the second leading goalkicker in the competition. Murray kicked 52 goals in 12 games.
Tyson Neander, Thurgoona (Tallangatta)
One of the top midfielders in the competition after moving to the league from Ovens and Murray in the off-season. Neander has been in the best players in 14 of 18 games and also kicked 36 goals.
Connor Newnham, Kiewa Sandy Creek (Tallangatta)
One of the leading goalkickers in the competition this year. Newnham has kicked 66 goals in 21 games.
Thomas Nicholas, Corryong (Upper Murray)
The leading ruckman in the competition this year. Nicholas was named in the Upper Murray team of the year and was one of the best for Corryong this year in a tough season for the club.
Grady Nigsch, Cudgewa (Upper Murray)
Won this year’s league best and fairest in his first season in the league. The defender has been one of the key players in the Blues squad this year, which fell short of premiership success, losing the grand final to Bullioh.
Lincoln Reed, Mitta United (Tallangatta)
Has kicked 40 goals in 17 games in his first season for the club. Last year, he played in the Ovens and Murray league for Wodonga Raiders.
Michael Oates, Rand-Walbundrie-Walla (Hume)
Joined the club at the start of the season and was brilliant with 47 goals and nine mentions in the best.
Jacob Ozolins, Dederang Mt Beauty (Tallangatta)
Has had his best season for the club this year. He’s been in the best players in 13 of 18 games in a tough year for the club.
Joshua Senior, Murray Magpies (Hume)
Back with the club this season and has been brilliant when called upon. In 18 games, he was named in the best 13 times.
Guy Telford, Cudgewa (Upper Murray)
The leading goalkicker in the Upper Murray for the season, kicking more than 20 goals more than his rivals. Telford ended the season with 73 goals in 13 games.
Cooper Thomason, Bright (Ovens and King)
The leading goalkicker in the Ovens and King competition and helped Bright to make the grand final. Thomason has kicked 99 goals in 19 games.
Dylan van Berlo, Rutherglen (Tallangatta)
The Rutherglen coach has been one of the best in the competition this year. The defender has been in the best players in 16 of 18 games this season.
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