Rising stars: 50 of the best young players in the West Gippsland FNC in 2024
The West Gippsland competition is bursting with talent. We’ve named 50 of the best young players. Here’s who made the list...
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There is no shortage of talent in the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition and a number of up-and-coming youngsters have starred for their clubs so far this year.
Here are the best young players — the rising stars — of season 2024:
Malual Aleer, Warragul Industrials
Aleer is in the GWS academy, stands over 200cm and is the cousin of Giants defender Leek. He is a barometer down at the Dusties, for his innate ability to lift the energy of the group.
Regan Awty, Warragul Industrials
Awty has split his season between thirds and senior footy, where he has shown his potential to be a future star. He’s a tough inside midfielder who has been named in his side’s best on six of a possible nine times.
Zak Banks, Koo Wee Rup
Banks played a hand in the West Gippsland under-18 interleague squad’s success while being a regular in the Demons’ side. He’s played 14 games this year and been named in the best eight times.
Kye Benson, Korumburra Bena
Strong midfielder who powers the Giants’ engine room. Enjoying an outstanding season, with 11 listings in the best players after crossing from Kilcunda Bass.
Jordan Bertacco, Inverloch-Kongwak
Bertacco is still able to play in the thirds competition but has been a regular on the wing or half back for the Sea Eagles. He missed out on Gippsland Power at the start of the year but played in the under-18 interleague side.
Daniel Bourke, Phillip Island
A terrific tap ruckman with a big vertical leap and great skills by foot.
Harry Butcher, Inverloch-Kongwak
Another one of the Sea Eagles’ Gippy Power products. Butcher is a young star who has played nine games for the Power and seven for his home club.
Charlie Bruce, Phillip Island
Has hit the WGFNL like a meteor since crossing from Beaumaris, establishing himself as one of the best midfielders in the league. Finds the ball and uses it well.
Yianni Caffieri, Phillip Island
A bottom age under 18 who has played 12 senior games, as well as four U18 interleague games, as a midfielder/forward. Blessed with elite skills by foot, he’s an in-and-under, tough type who knows how to find the ball.
Will Campbell, Kilcunda Bass
Still eligible for under-18s, the key defender has played some excellent games of senior footy including an impressive display against Phillip Island. Strong overhead, runs straight at the footy and sets up play.
Lleyton Cartmel, Kilcunda Bass
Plays off a half back flank and has really hit his stride as the season has gone on. A left footer who is skilful and sets up play.
Trent Cartmel, Kilcunda Bass
The crafty forward is still bottom age under-18s but has shown in a handful of senior appearances he’s an exciting prospect.
Lachlan Coverdale, Cora Lynn
Coverdale has played no more than 40 games of footy in his life and is seventh in the league goal kicking with 33 goals. He’s a cross-coder from basketball, who has taken to footy with ease. Coverdale played a couple of games in the under-18s before coach Shaun Sparks pushed him into the senior side. The Casey Demons have taken a liking to the teenager.
Jesse Craven, Tooradin-Dalmore
Highly skilled, crafty wingman who can play inside as well. Has split his time between playing at Gippsland Power and in the seniors at Tooradin, and continues to impress.
Joel Cuman, Korumburra Bena
At only 20 he is captain of the Giants, providing stability and commitment. A great leader who has purpose in everything he does…plays in the midfield and on a wing, very creative and defends well.
Alex Dijkstra, Bunyip
After making the WGFNL team of the season in 2023, the young gun has had another outstanding campaign, with 12 mentions in Bunyip’s best players.
Logan Downe, Tooradin-Dalmore
Classy left-footer who plays on a wing and also down back. An elite kick of the footy and a great runner who covers the ground; his GPS data is impressive.
Jett Edwards, Cora Lynn
Edwards is the vice-captain of the Cobras after coming out of the Gippsland Power program last year. He is a running defender who also takes the second-best forward every week.
Josh Evans, Garfield
Silky smooth left footer who plays half back and sets up play.
Jaxon Foon, Dalyston
Foon, a representative of the West Gippsland under-18 interleague squad, has kicked 10 goals from 13 games for Dalyston this season.
Jarvis Harvey, Inverloch-Kongwak
Harvey is still eligible to play in the under-age competition but is a huge of the senior Sea Eagles. Harvey is playing forward this year and has kicked 24 goals from 13 starts.
Lewis Hill, Tooradin-Dalmore
A premiership wingman who has become a key inside midfielder this season; quick, evasive, skilful. Has had mentions in the best in nine of his 15 matches.
Chris Inverno, Cora Lynn
Inverno is a good-sized half forward or half back who has a raking left boot. He played for the West Gippsland league under-18 interleague side earlier this year.
Seth Lawler, Koo Wee Rup
Lawler has played eight games for the Demons’ senior side this year, improving on his six games last season. He’s still eligible for the thirds competition.
Tex Marsham, Nar Nar Goon
A tall and versatile player who the Goon use in all positions on the ground. Nar Nar Goon has high hopes for the development of the 20-year-old.
Max McDermott, Cora Lynn
A key-position forward who has the ability to be swung back into defence if the Cobras ever need. He came out of the Gippsland Power system and has played all but one senior game this year.
Tahj Murphy, Bunyip
The former league U18 interleague player has been a spark of light in all of Bunyip’s games this season, gathering four mentions in the best and kicking six goals.
Robbie McMahen, Koo Wee Rup
McMahen has been a strong pick-up for the Demons after crossing from Devon Meadows. He’s played interleague and improved on his senior appearances each year.
Jacob McRae, Dalyston
McRae has played 10 games for Dalyston this season, just two years out of eligibility for thirds football.
Tyler Newton, Korumburra Bena
Determined centre half-back who runs the Giants’ backline and he’s passionate how he goes about it.
Finn O’Brien, Phillip Island
On Gippsland Powers’ list as a bottom-ager. A key position player with great hands, and also a tall midfielder.
Flynn Parker, Nar Nar Goon
A strong, tough defender who can be thrown forward or in the middle of the ground. The Goon love his aggression towards the contest.
Jett Pickering, Garfield
Strong, tall and a great mark, Pickering can play forward or back, showing promising signs in an injury-interrupted season.
Will Pickering, Garfield
Mobile defender who is clever and possesses good skills, often seen pinging off half back with pace.
Nate Pipicelli, Nar Nar Goon
A graduate of the Gippsland Power system, Pipicelli is a tall hybrid. He’s battled a horrid run with injuries but when he fires, he’s a top young player.
Noah Rogers, Garfield
Rogers has been a spark for the side with his speed, skill and courage on a wing or at half forward.
Jobe Scapin, Inverloch-Kongwak
On Gippsland Powers’ list but always makes an effort to play for his home club when he can. Scapin oozes class with ball in hand, predominantly along the wing. He can use the footy on both sides of his body with equal success.
Charlie Shinners, Tooradin-Dalmore
Versatile player who plays a bit of everywhere but has impressed down lately. Has X-factor.
Xavier Shinners, Tooradin-Dalmore
Plays as a half-forward with an excellent work rate and running capacity. Gets up and down the ground and has kicked 23 goals in 15 matches this season.
Alix Tauru, Warragul Industrials
Tauru has launched his name into lights this year with strong representative footy. He won’t spend much time at the Dusties in the next couple of years, as he looks bound for the AFL.
Cody Templeton, Warragul Industrials
Templeton, who was the Vic Country under-16s captain, has played 11 games of senior footy this year. He works hard, is tough as they come and has earned Joel Selwood comparisons.
Ben Tenace-Greenall, Garfield
The talented forward/midfielder has impressed in his first full season of senior footy.
Jack Tenace-Greenall, Garfield
Got himself super fit and has had a cracking season as a midfielder/forward. Will be right up there in the Parrots’ best and fairest.
Archie Terlich, Inverloch-Kongwak
A never-say-die defender who hates losing contests. He is on the Gippsland Power books but bleeds blue and gold.
Zac Walker, Phillip Island
An athletic tall defender or forward who can also play ruck. Has played under-18 interleague this season as well as a dozen senior games for the Bulldogs. Bright future.
Max Walton, Phillip Island
Has played VFL for Box Hill Hawks, an elite midfielder, strong runner and great by foot and hand...enjoying another terrific season.
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