Country footy: 50 of the best players from the Gippsland region

We’ve revealed 50 of the best country footballers running around Gippsland’s competitions. Now it’s time to choose who is best. VOTE HERE.

The Gippsland country footy scene is home to plenty of talented players.

We’ve scoured all the competitions outside of the region’s major league to find some of the best hidden gems in country footy.

Here are 50 of the best of 2024 and you can vote for who you think is best below.

Trent Armour, Nar Nar Goon (West Gippsland)

One of the competition’s most consistent players in recent seasons. Continues to be named among his side’s best players.

Bayden Ashwood, Wy Yung (East Gippsland)

An experienced member of the Tigers outfit. Still a key senior player.

Lachlan Bambridge, Warragul Industrials (West Gippsland)

A new recruit at the start of the season, Bambridge has brought plenty of firepower inside 50 for his side.

Lachlan Bambridge has been impressive this season.

Kye Benson, Korumburra-Bena (West Gippsland)

While the club may have struggled during his first season, Benson has brought consistency to the Giants midfield.

Darcy Berryman, Fish Creek (Mid Gippsland)

Having his best year in seniors and has been one of the best for the reigning premiers since returning from Leongatha. Has kicked 44 goals in 10 games and been in the best in eight of then.

Jake Best, Foster (Mid Gippsland)

The former Traralgon player has excelled for Foster being one of the leading goalkickers in the competition. He’s kicked 42 goals in 10 games.

Joe Brooks, Mirboo North (Mid Gippsland)

The key tall has been the best player for Mirboo North in a tough year for the club. He’s been in the best players in 10 of 11 games.

Joe Brooks in action for Mirboo North. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Hayden Bruce, Phillip Island (West Gippsland)

One of the many consistent performers for the premiership contender. The star midfielder is dynamic when he goes forward.

Nathan Campbell, Nilma Darnum (Ellinbank District)

Been one of the best for the Bombers in their resurgence in the competition. Has been in the best players in 10 of 13 games.

Luke Cheffers, Yinnar (Mid Gippsland)

Still eligible for under-18, the teenager has impressed in senior football this season. Cheffers has kicked 17 goals in 11 games and been in the best in eight of them. One to look out for in the future.

Anthony Daraio, Kilcunda Bass (West Gippsland)

Has picked up where he left off last season and is already on track to beat his effort last year. The star forward is right among the leading goalkickers.

Alex Dijkstra, Bunyip (West Gippsland)

One of many young guys playing for a Bunyip side searching for their first win since 2022. Among his side’s most consistent.

Daniel Farmer, Woodside (North Gippsland)

The former Collingwood player is having another stellar season in the competition. He’s kicked 41 goals in 10 games after kicking 90 last season.

Nathan Gardiner, Cora Lynn (West Gippsland)

Has been the league’s most dominant forward post-Covid and is again on track to reach triple figures this season. Brought up his 700th career goal earlier this year.

John Gooch, Lucknow (East Gippsland)

Has made an instant impression at his new club after crossing from the Gippsland league.

John Gooch.

Conor Harvey, Swifts Creek (Omeo District)

Having a career year in front of goal and is currently among the competition’s leading goalkickers.

Aiden Hayward, Omeo-Benambra (Omeo District)

His best season of senior footy? It’s a question worth asking. Hayward has been outstanding throughout.

Lewis Hill, Tooradin-Dalmore (West Gippsland)

Putting together another impressive season for his side as they make a push for finals footy.

Bradley Hoffman, Trafalgar (Ellinbank District)

The centre half back has had some tough tasks in his first year at the club and impressed. He’s been in the best players in every game played for the club.

Bradley Hoffman has had a fantastic season at his new club. Picture: Trafalgar Football Club.

Kail Hole, Heyfield (North Gippsland)

Continues to excel at the club after making his senior debut in 2022. Has been in the best players in seven of 11 games.

Brendan Holt, Churchill (North Gippsland)

He might be in his 40s, but Holt continues to defy his age with his performances. He’s kicked 34 goals and been in the best in nine of 10 games.

Marc Holt, Lang Lang (Ellinbank District)

Continues to kick goals for fun. After kicking more than a thousand during his career at Cranbourne, Holt has added 65 in 11 games at Lang Lang, after joining at the end of last season. One of the best forwards in the game.

Tom Hudson, Lakes Entrance (East Gippsland)

Recruited from Bairnsdale and has gone onto become the focal point of his side’s forward line. The leading goalkicker in the competition.

Keenan Hughes, Cowwarr (North Gippsland)

Has kicked almost 40 per cent of his teams score this season. Hughes is one of the leading goalkickers in the North Gippsland league with 47 goals in 11 games.

Patrick Ireland, Buln Buln (Ellinbank District)

The former Gippsland Power player has been impressive in his first season in the competition. He leads the goalkicking with 74 goals in 12 games.

Michael Jacobsen has been one of the best for Traralgon Tyers United this season. Picture: Traralgon Tyers United.

Michael Jacobsen, Traralgon Tyers United (North Gippsland)

The midfielder continues to be one of the best in the competition. He’s been in the best players in nine of 11 games after being named in the team of the year in 2023.

Bryce Joyce, Ellinbank (Ellinbank District)

Been in the best in all but one game for the club this season. Continues to be one of the best players in the competition.

Dean Macdonald, Yallourn Yallourn North (North Gippsland)

On track for his third straight 80 goal plus season in the competition. Has kicked 47 goals in 10 games.

Joel McNamara, Lucknow (East Gippsland)

Among the leading performers in his local competition. The four-time club best-and-fairest winner is consistently in his side’s better players.

We've named our hidden gems of the Gippsland region.

Charlie Mein, Paynesville (East Gippsland)

In year two with his club and again proving to be one of the leading players.

James Munro, Cora Lynn (West Gippsland)

Back at local level full-time this season and has been dominant. He’ll be right in the mix for the league medal.

Jirra Moffatt, Bruthen (Omeo District)

Has made his mark in his first full season for the club as one of the leading goalkickers. He did play one game back in 2014.

Alex Morcom, Stratford (East Gippsland)

Enjoying a strong season after much of last year was spent playing in Canada.

Jock Overend, Wy Yung (East Gippsland)

Back to his best form in season 2024 after a quieter year in 2023. Coming off a summer where he played in the NT and won a premiership with PINT.

Travis Patten, Thorpdale (Mid Gippsland)

Been impressive for Thorpdale since his return to the club last year. Patten has kicked 15 goals in 11 games and been among the best in nine matches this year.

Paul Pattison, Inverloch-Kongwak (West Gippsland)

Has emerged as one of the league medal fancies after crossing from Balwyn in the Eastern league where he struggled for games in recent seasons. A goalkicking midfielder.

Paul Pattison is expected to be in league medal contention.

Kayleb Pearce, Yarram (North Gippsland)

After missing all of last year with an ACL injury, Pearce has returned to be one of the best for Yarram this season. The midfielder is averaging more than a goal a game and has been in the best players in nine of 10 games.

Nathan Pollard, Lindenow South (Omeo District)

Returned to the club after a year away with Maffra. He is a multiple best-and-fairest winner across club and league.

Devin Pollock, Yarragon (Ellinbank District)

The winger recently celebrated 100 games at the club and has been one of the best for the Panthers this season. Has been among the best in 10 of 13 games.

Jim Reeves, Boisdale Briagolong (East Gippsland)

One of the most consistent goalkickers in the league since crossing from Maffra in 2021.

Blake Safstrom, Rosedale (North Gippsland)

Moved from Sale City to Rosedale in the off-season but it hasn’t stopped him from being among the best in the competition. The midfielder has been among the best in eight games this year.

Jake Smart, Toora (Mid Gippsland)

The forward has been one of the best for the club since moving from the Mornington Peninsula league last year. He’s kicked 16 goals in 11 games and been in the best in nine matches.

Billy Taylor, Phillip Island (West Gippsland)

Enjoying his best season in front of goal as a senior player. Taylor already has 36 majors for the season.

Shane Thorpe, Lindenow South (Omeo District)

After playing just seven games last year, Thorpe has found more continuity to be a key player for his side.

Nathan Voss, Koo Wee Rup (West Gippsland)

A star of the competition for many years. After a slow start to the season, two games in four games, Voss has gone onto find his best form.

Chris Wangman, Morwell East (Mid Gippsland)

Made the list last year after dominating the North Gippsland competition. This year he’s doing the same with his new club in the Mid Gippsland league. He’s kicked 54 goals in 11 games for Morwell East to be the leading goalkicker in the competition.

Harry Warfe, Omeo-Benambra (Omeo District)

In his first season of senior footy, Warfe has already gone onto kick 59 goals.

Jason Wells, Longwarry (Ellinbank District)

One of the leading goalkickers in the competition after returning to Longwarry following a couple of years in the West Gippsland league. He’s kicked 61 goals in 11 games.

Nathan Wheildon, Newborough (Mid Gippsland)

Averaged more than two goals a game for the Bulldogs and is on track for his largest tally in the competition. He’s also been in the best players in nine out of 12 games.

Kody Wilson, Neerim-Neerim South (Ellinbank District)

The midfielder is the only player in the competition to play 10 games or more and be in the best players in every game played. He’s also averaged more than two goals a game to be one of the leading goalkickers in the competition.

Editor’s note: Details in this story about each player were published in early July.