East Gippsland, Ellinbank and District, Mid Gippsland, North Gippsland and West Gippsland players named
They’re the stars of the Gippsland region you might not know about but you should. Here’s our top 30 hidden gems.
Country Footy
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The Gippsland region is home to some of the best hidden gems in country footy.
Outside of the Gippsland League, the region’s premier competition, the football talent continues to grow.
Here’s a look at the top 30 players from across the East Gippsland, Ellinbank and District, Mid Gippsland, North Gippsland and West Gippsland competitions.
Trent Baker (Buln Buln, Ellinbank and District)
Baker has been a picture of consistency for the Lyrebirds this season and will be aiming to finish with a bang when his side plays off in the grand final.
Todd Beck (Inverloch-Kongwak, West Gippsland)
A recruit from Drouin at the start of the year, Beck proved himself to be one of the league’s best two-way players. Kicked 19 goals and was named in the best 11 times.
Thomas Cameron (Fish Creek, Mid Gippsland)
Tied with Ricky Cochrane in the best and fairest for the competition, polling 19 votes for the season. The midfielder was in the best players in 11 out of the 14 games he played. Cameron was also named in the team of the year.
Ricky Cochrane (Boolarra, Mid Gippsland)
Was one of two players, with Thomas Cameron, who won the best and fairest in the Mid Gippsland League. He polled 19 votes and was also among the best players in half of his 16 games this season. Cochrane might have been one of the best but he was named on the bench in the team of the year.
Bradley Daniel (Wy Yung, East Gippsland)
The leading goalscorer for the grand finalists, Wy Yung, kicking 48 goals in 19 matches. He was also second in the competition this season. This is Daniel’s first season in the competition after previously playing for Bairnsdale.
Dylan Farrell (Trafalgar, Ellinbank and District)
Brilliant again for Trafalgar again this season and was rewarded with a second-place finish in the league best and fairest. Was named in the best on 14 occasions.
Dale Gawley (Kilcunda Bass, West Gippsland)
After arriving from Montrose in the Eastern League, Gawley enjoyed a fine season with a second-place finish in the league best and fairest. Despite the Panthers winning just seven games, he showed his class.
Nathan Gardiner (Cora Lynn, West Gippsland)
Enjoyed a fine season to take home the competition’s goalkicking award with 88 majors in 18 games. Kicked a season-high 13 against Koo Wee Rup. His side were eliminated in the semis.
Justin Gould (Lindenow, East Gippsland)
Gould finished third in the best and fairest and was in the best players for Lindenow in 10 of the 16 games he played. The Cat coached the club to a premiership in 2019.
Matt Gray (Buln Buln, Ellinbank and District)
Will contest the grand final this weekend where his side will enter as favourites. Has been as consistent as anyone for Buln Buln. Won the club’s best and fairest last year.
Jack Hazendonk (Poowong, Ellinbank and District)
Enjoyed a brilliant season to take out the league best and fairest with 30 votes for the third time. He claimed the award with three votes in the final round.
Jai Hayward (Omeo-Benambra, Omeo District)
Won the best and fairest in the Omeo District Football League after a stellar season. Hayward was in the best players in three quarters of his matches this year. He also averaged more than a goal a game.
Bryce Joyce (Ellinbank, Ellinbank and District)
Still eligible for under 18 footy, Joyce has been a major talking point for an Ellinbank side who made a remarkable run to the preliminary final. He was named in the best 11 times and represented the league in a Gippsland footy carnival for under 18s.
Brent Macaffer (Tooradin Dalmore, West Gippsland)
Made an immediate impact for the premiers, who won the weekend’s grand final, after taking out the league best and fairest by three votes. The former AFL midfielder joined the club from Eltham.
Ned Marsh (Yinnar, Mid Gippsland)
The Yinnar midfielder was named as the best on ground in the grand final as his side stormed from sixth on the ladder to premiership success. He was also named in the midfield in the team of the year.
Cooper McInnes (Tarwin, Mid Gippsland)
The leading goalscorer this season in the Mid Gippsland Football League with 71 goals from 18 games. He kicked five or more goals in seven games. This is his first season with the club.
Alex McLaren (Paynesville, East Gippsland)
Finished second in the best and fairest and was one of the shining lights for Paynseville, who finished in the bottom three. The on-baller has been at the club, since he was a junior but has also played for Bairnsdale in the Gippsland Football League.
Joel Mitchell (Newborough, Mid Gippsland)
Mitchell finished second in the goalkicking for the season in the Mid Gippsland League with 64 games in 15 games. He also finished fourth in the league best and fairest and was named in the team of the year. A fair season for the forward.
Curtis Murfett (Dalyston, West Gippsland)
Despite his side winning just two games for the season, Dalyston would have been happy with its recruiting of Murfett. The former St Paul’s McKinnon midfielder was named in his side’s best on 17 occasions.
Hamish Nettleton (Orbost Snowy Rovers, East Gippsland)
Nettleton led the goalkicking for the East Gippsland Football League, kicking 49 goals during the season. He did it with a club who won just four times during the season. All up, he contributed more than 27 per cent to the teams total during the year.
Tyler Payroli (Yarragon, Ellinbank and District)
Arrived at the club as a new recruit and didn’t let the Panthers down. Hadn’t played any footy in the last two years before this season. Went onto be named in the best in 12 out of 18 games.
Cam Pedersen (Phillip Island, West Gippsland)
One of the most dominant players in the West Gippsland competition in recent seasons. The former AFL utility finished third in the league best and fairest as he played a key role in Phillip Island’s run to the grand final.
Brandon Scott (Swan Reach, Omeo District)
The Swan Reach forward led the goalkicking for the competition, kicking 62 goals in 13 games. This included four games where he kicked more than eight goals a game.
Tyson Siddle (Buchan, Omeo District)
Finished second in the best and fairest behind Jai Hayward. Despite missing three games this season, he was the fourth leading goalscorer in the competition with 39 goals. He was also in the best players in eight out of his 12 games.
Max Solomon (Lindenow South, Omeo District)
The Lindenow South forward delivered when it counted, not only during the season but in the finals as well. He kicked four goals for the club in their grand final win, while also kicking 60 goals for the season. In his last four matches this season, he kicked 27 goals.
Bailey Stephens (Longwarry, Ellinbank and District)
The young gun took his game to another level this season, playing every match for Longwarry who went onto win eight games.
Lincoln Toner (Stratford, East Gippsland)
Was the best and fairest this year in the East Gippsland Football League, polling 22 votes and being six clear of the next best. The ruckman is in his second season with the club.
Eamon Trigg (Nar Nar Goon, West Gippsland)
Earned a fourth-place finish in the league best and fairest this season as his side finished fourth on the ladder. One of the competition’s best big men.
Matt Voss (Koo Wee Rup, West Gippsland)
Still a couple of years away from his prime, Voss is an exciting talent who Koo Wee Rup will be hoping can help it rise further up the ladder in 2023 after an eighth place finish.
Kody Wilson (Neerim South, Ellinbank and District)
The classy midfielder finished second in the league best and fairest held on Sunday night. Will play off in a grand final this weekend. Has kicked 30 goals out of the midfield and been named in the best 15 times.
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