40 of the best country players from western Victoria
Western Victoria 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 west is home to some of the best country footballers in the state.
From young guns to premiership heroes, we’ve found 40 of the best from across the state.
Connor Barby, Old Collegians (Warrnambool)
In a tough year for the Warriors, the ruckman continues to show why he is one of the best in the competition. He’s been in the best in all but one game of 17 played for the club.
Harry Bensch, Penshurst (Mininera and District)
One of the rising stars of the competition. Bensch is putting together an impressive season with 13 mentions in the best.
Kaleb Bowd, Dartmoor (South West District)
Joined his club in the off-season and has proven to be a great recruit. Named in the best 14 times this season.
Brodhi Carracher, Cavendish (South West District)
Arrived from Terang Mortlake in the off-season and has proven to be one of the recruits of the season so far.
Simon Close, Harrow Balmoral (Horsham)
The leading goalkicker in the Horsham league with 82 goals in 16 matches. He’s kicked five or more goals in nine games this season.
Ashley Clugston, Jeparit-Rainbow (Horsham)
The captain has been leading from the front this year, kicking the most goals for the club. He has averaged more than three goals a game, kicking 52 goals in 17 matches.
Dom Dare, Alvie (Colac and District)
Brought up the century of goals this season and now sits on 113 for the season. Could end the year as a premiership player if everything goes right for the Swans.
Jackson Dark, Stawell (Wimmera)
One of the standout defenders in the competition who has had another fantastic season. He’s been in the best in 13 out of 16 games. Last year he finished second in the clubs best and fairest.
Frazer Driscoll, Nhill (Wimmera)
The utility has been the best for the Tigers this season, being in the best players in 13 of 15 games. Driscoll is a former SANFL player who made a couple of appearances for North Adelaide.
Tyler Flanigan, Irrewarra-Beeac (Colac and District)
Continues to grow in stature every year with the finals aspirant. Has been impressive in every way this year.
Jarrod Garth, Horsham Saints (Wimmera)
After only returning to football last year, following Covid and an ACL injury, Garth has come back in style with the Saints. He’s kicked 46 goals in 15 games as a leading target. Been a pivotal player for the team, after playing in Geelong.
Samuel Giblett, South Colac (Colac and District)
Giblett has become an important part of South’s side during the last two seasons. This year, he has been named in the best nine times and kicked 20 goals.
Hamish Gleeson, Hawkesdale Macarthur (Mininera and District)
Enjoying a fine first season with the club having been named in the best in 14 out of 16 games.
Sam Godden, Dimboola (Wimmera)
The midfielder/forward player has averaged almost two goals a game in his return to the club from Pascoe Vale in the Essendon District league. He’s kicked 27 goals in 15 games and been the best in 10 of them. He’s helped the club towards a finals spot.
Robert Hare, Allansford (Warrnambool)
One of the leading goalkickers in the Warrnambool District league, kicking 89 goals in 18 games. He’s kicked more than 30 per cent of the teams total in the competition.
Simon Hobbs, Kalkee (Horsham)
Has had one of his best season for the Killers as he reached more than 150 appearances for the club. Hobbs has kicked 17 goals in 16 games and been in the best in all but one match.
Jesse Horan, Woorndoo Mortlake (Mininera and District)
Enjoying another fine season for the second placed Tigers. Horan is the competition’s second leading goalkicker with 62 for the season.
James Hughes, Lorne (Colac and District)
Hughes is now in his second season with the club and is closing in on the 100-goal mark. Has 59 majors for the season and has been named in the best 10 times.
Braydon Ison, Rupanyup (Horsham)
On track for his largest goal haul in a season in the Horsham league after moving to Rupanyup in the off-season. Has kicked 65 goals in 17 games, including a haul of 10 goals against Edenhope Apsley.
Matt Johns, Warrack (Wimmera)
The ruckman has been one of the best in a tough season for the Eagles. Johns has been among the best in 10 out of 13 games, including the team’s closest loss of the season against Nhill in round four.
Mitch Martin, Horsham Saints (Wimmera)
The leading goalkicker in the Wimmera league with 57 goals from 17 games. Been one of the best players in the Saints rise to second on the ladder.
Logan McLeod, Russells Creek (Warrnambool)
Has been a star midfielder for Russells Creek since debuting for the club earlier this season. In all 13 matches he’s played he has been among the best and is a genuine chance of winning the best and fairest in the league.
Tom Mills, Ararat (Wimmera)
The former VFL player and Ararat player has once again been a leading target upfront this season. He’s kicked 38 goals in 16 games.
Nyawi Moore, Heywood (South West District)
The former Bendigo Pioneer is enjoying an impressive season for his new club who playing finals footy.
Jordan Motton, Horsham Demons (Wimmera)
Has kicked 40 goals in 15 matches for the team with the second worst attack in the competition.
Brody Pope, Horsham Demons (Wimmera)
The former Greater Western Rebel has been a star this season for the Demons, being in the best in 14 out of 16 games he’s played. Likely to heavily feature in the league’s best and fairest count.
Zeke Reeves, Panmure (Warrnambool)
The utility has been one of the best players for the reigning premiers in just his second year of seniors. Capable of playing in the midfield, in the ruck, and in the forward half, Reeves has kicked 18 goals from 20 matches and been in the best players in 10 games.
Elijah Reid, Western Eagles (Colac and District)
While it might have been a difficult season for the Eagles, the emerging big man has put together a great season.
Lachlan Reilly, Wickliffe/Lake Bolac (Mininera and District)
The former Tasmanian State League player has made an immediate impression for his new club after crossing from Geelong Amateur. He’s kicked 37 goals and been named in the best 13 times so far.
Anthony Rosato, Tatyoon (Mininera and District)
Has arguably had a better season than last year. Rosato has 21 goals and 13 mentions in the best.
Tanner Smith, Minyip Murtoa (Wimmera)
The former Fremantle player has impressed with the reigning premiers this season. He’s averaged almost one goal a game and has been in the best in 10 out of 17 games. Is capable of playing in the forward line and in defence.
Campbell Tanis, Colac Imperials (Colac and District)
The former Geelong Falcon has impressed in his first season at the club, often appearing among his side’s better players.
Jack Vague, Noradjuha Quantong (Horsham)
The ruckman has been one of the best for the Bombers this season, helping the side to be one of the top teams in the competition. He’s been in the best players in 15 out of 18 games.
Josh Webster, Southern Mallee Giants (Wimmera)
The forward has had another strong season for the Giants in the Wimmera league. He’s averaged more than two goals a game, kicking 30 goals in 12 games.
Dylan Weir, Merrivale (Warrnambool)
Weird has been the leading goalscorer for the unbeaten Merrivale team in the Warrambool District league. Has kicked 90 goals in 19 games and has kicked at least one goal a game.
Jason Westley, Pimpinio (Horsham)
The rover is not only winning lots of the ball but has kicked plenty of goals. Westley has kicked 32 goals in 15 games and has been in the best in 13 of them. He has helped the Tigers to be among the teams fighting for finals this year.
Tom Williamson, Ararat (Wimmera)
Has impressed in his first season back at the Rats after playing for Carlton in the AFL. Has kicked 32 goals in 15 matches.
James Willsher, Nirranda (Warrnambool)
Continues to be one of the best for the Blues in the midfield. Wilsher has been in the best in 13 of 19 games and has now played more than 100 games for the club.
Jordi Withers, Tyrendarra (South West District)
Withers still has plenty of room for growth given his age. He is currently the competition’s leading goalkicker this season with 66.
Jayden Wright, Ararat Eagles (Mininera and District)
Enjoying some sort of season for the Eagles with 41 goals and 15 mentions in the best. Set to be right in league medal contention.
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