EFL Top 20: From Vermont’s Matt Greig and Ryan Mullett to Noble Park’s Kyle Martin and Craig Anderson
Noble Park and Vermont each had more than six listed in footy writer Daniel Cencic’s list of the EFL’s top 20 players since 2000. Did he get it right? Vote in our poll.
Eastern
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Given the top-level talent that can be seen dominating the EFNL every Saturday across the eastern suburbs, it’s no surprise that it is one of the strongest Melbourne suburban footy leagues.
But who have been the best of the best to have played in the league in the past 20 years?
We’ve had a go — and it wasn’t an easy task.
Did we get it right? Vote in our poll down the bottom.
20. Luke Williams (Knox, Wantirna South)
Has been consistently good for more than a decade winning seven best and fairests with Knox and has stood out playing in sides that have often bounced between the divisions.
It was, however, during Knox’s nine-year stint in the top division that he would take out the Chandler Medal in 2015, playing in a side that finished ninth out of 12 teams — a testament to how influential Williams is — not only commanding the footy, but damaging opposition sides by hand and by foot.
Moved to neighbouring club Wantirna South at the end of 2017 following a flag at the Falcons, and stepped into the Devils’ captaincy role — that’s how highly he’s revered around the traps.
19. Jeff Gobbels (Balwyn)
The Balwyn captain is the club’s ‘go-to’ man in attack — and was during the club’s golden run of four flags in five seasons.
The West Australian has been as complete a forward as we’ve seen across the past two decades, more than capable at ground level, quick on the lead, great set of hands and a defensive side to his game.
Let’s not forget his booming right boot, though — and his 60m torp for goal on halftime of the Tigers’ 2013 grand final win.
Won the medal for best afield in Balwyn’s 2012 premiership victory.
18. Daniel Sheers (East Ringwood)
Ask many of the forwards of the era who the toughest defender was and the answer will often be Sheers, who played in an era where brilliant forwards were a dime a dozen.
Was twice named captain in the league’s top-flight Team of the Year, and captained the ‘Roos to one of the most emphatic come-from-behind premiership victories in EFL history in 2002.
Outstanding in the air and one-on-one.
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17. Nick Cox (Bayswater, Rowville, South Belgrave)
Tough and uncompromising inside player who knew how to find the footy and gather possessions.
Won the 2000 Chandler Medal when Bayswater was in the top-flight, followed by the league’s third division medal in 2004 and second division honour in ’06 — elevating him to legend status. Also won a best and fairest in a premiership year (2004) at Rowville.
Not too shabby for someone who didn’t take up playing Australian rules until age 16, having previously played soccer.
16. Leigh Williams (Norwood)
An explosive forward who is strong in the air and at ground level. Can convert half-opportunities into goals, and has a reputation of winning games off his own boot.
His goalkicking prowess isn’t the only string to his bow, however. Williams creates scoring opportunities for those around him making him one of the great modern-day forwards.
Was an integral part of the EFL senior interleague matches across 2017 and 2018 kicking bags to propel the league into top spot in the state.
Best on ground in Norwood’s 2014 top-flight premiership.
15. Wade Porter (East Ringwood)
Tall, imposing, athletic, versatile — the ‘Roos were blessed with the complete package here.
Could fly for marks, kicking was pinpoint and would make his presence felt, and often masterful at the stoppages all over the ground. Member of East Ringwood’s 2002 premiership side.
14. Adam Slater (East Burwood, Knox, Forest Hill)
The big man was pure entertainment. Whether it was spinning the ball on his finger in front of the fans, ‘saluting’ the crowd or dominating the ruck and taking control of games with his intimidating frame, Slater would bring people through the gates and impose himself on the contest.
Opposition ruckmen would dread matching up with this man-mountain, just as the East Burwood midfielders of their golden era would be given an armchair ride. Went on to play an integral role in Knox’s extra-time 2007 flag before finishing his career at Forest Hill.
13. Todd Power (Vermont, The Basin)
When people think of the great centre half-backs of the modern era, this man always rates a mention.
Tall but with a wiry frame, a fierce one-on-one competitor and a general down back for the Eagles in an era where great forwards were plentiful.
Defence wasn’t the only string to his bow and showed a presence wherever needed, including up forward. Premierships and grand finals were a common theme for Power throughout his career — he holds the record at Vermont for most consecutive grand finals (1993-2001) including one of those as captain in 2001.
Finished his career at The Basin, playing in a Division 4 flag in 2012.
12. Rennie Gilchrist (Balwyn)
Captained Balwyn to four premierships in five seasons in one of the most remarkable eras in EFL history.
The hard-at-it, in-and-under Gilchrist led by example on-field, extracting the pill and bringing others into the game.
Twice best on ground in the Tigers’ winning grand finals in 2013 and 2015.
11. Mark Cullen (Vermont, Silvan)
The classy midfielder featured in seven Eagles premiership sides (the equal second-most of any Vermont player) with four of those won in the 2000s.
His 255-game stint saw 84 of those matches played consecutively — the fifth-most at the club.
Best and fairest winner in a premiership year in 2001, and later headed up the mountain to finish his career at Silvan where he would play his 300th match and win a club best and fairest in 2013.
10. Bernie Dinneen (Vermont, Bayswater, East Ringwood)
A competitive beast through the midfield who would prepare himself meticulously for matches.
Wasn’t overly quick, but it didn’t matter with his ability to find the footy.
Winner of back-to-back Chandler medals across 2005-06 followed by a Wright Medal (Division 2) in 2010 to etch his name as one of the all-time greats, earning official legend status.
9. Chris Annakis (Doncaster)
One of the premier midfielders of the 2010s — a decade in which he won a Wright Medal as the best and fairest player in the EFL’s second tier, before elevating himself to official league legend status with back-to-back Chandler medals across 2017-18.
Rarely wastes a possession, reads the play beautifully and can take a grab. A modern-day marvel of the league.
8. Kris Barlow (Vermont, Rowville, Noble Park, Blackburn)
Had built up a strong reputation in the 1990s playing at Vermont before being picked up by Hawthorn at age 25 in 1998, but was just as damaging once he returned to the EFL in 2005 to play in a Vermont flag after 102 games with the Hawks.
A strong-marking forward who had versatility in spades, quick and a reliable kick for goal.
A best and fairest winner at Noble Park and Blackburn, playing alongside some of the all-time greats.
7. Denis Knight (Noble Park)
A crucial cog in the Bulls’ engine room on their way to back-to-back flags in ’03 and ’04 as playing-coach.
A tough inside midfielder and a classy user of the ball, Knight won the EFL’s Chandler Medal in 2003 playing in a premier side which oozed class — a true testament to the respect he commanded.
Best on ground in the Bulls’ ‘03 flag, and would later go on to coach Norwood to a top-flight premiership in 2014.
6. Dan Donati (Noble Park)
Before he became a four-time Balwyn premiership coach, ‘Nutsy’ was one of the EFL’s premier on-ballers.
A big-game player who would always deliver on centre stage, and would frequently hit the scoreboard as a goalkicking midfielder.
Played in two premierships with Noble Park across 2003-04.
5. Craig Anderson (Noble Park)
Prolific ball-winner who would will himself from contest to contest, strong in-and-under and a fierce attack on the footy.
Twice took home the coveted Chandler Medal (2007 – tied; 2011), captained the Bulls to back-to-back top-flight flags across 2010-11 and has three club best and fairests to his name. About as untaggable as they came.
4. Kyle Martin (Noble Park)
If this were a top 20 of the past decade, Martin would be a monty for top spot.
But having won 11 Noble Park best and fairest awards in 12 seasons, the current-day premier midfielder has regardless earnt his place in the top four players this century.
Can rack the possessions up — but makes them count. Has a large tank to run through the midfield which makes him equally hard to match up on — and doesn’t mind the rough stuff either.
Earned his opportunity on Collingwood’s list in 2013 before returning to the Bullring in 2015. Dual premiership player with Noble Park across 2010-11.
3. Matt Greig (Vermont)
Goal-machine. The headline act in one of the all-time great goalkicking partnerships alongside Ash Froud, the stay-at-home full forward kicked 716 goals across 172 games from 2003-13 — with an average of 4.2 goals a game.
Topped the EFL’s goalkicking on five occasions, including hauls of 107, 103 and 122 from 2005-08 in the Eagles’ premiership three-peat era. Won Vermont’s goalkicking a record eight times and also holds the club record for most goals in an Eagles senior match, booting a whopping 15.7 (91) in round four of 2008.
A sublime vertical leap and a defender’s worst nightmare.
2. Peter O’Brien (Noble Park)
Pure class, silky skills and always spoken about by former teammates and opponents in the highest regard.
This four-time premiership Bull also took four club champion awards during his time at Noble Park — and earned best on ground honours in his final game; the 2011 premiership win.
All this following a best and fairest and two flags at Springvale. As Leader’s Paul Amy once described him “The word ‘champion’ doesn’t do him justice”.
1. Ryan Mullett (Vermont)
The smooth-moving Mullett won the EFL’s highest individual honour — the Chandler Medal — on three occasions this century, something no other player has done.
The official league legend took four senior best and fairest awards at the Eagles playing in one of the most dominant sides — and midfields — in local football, as the club three-peated from 2005-07.
Finished a five-time Vermont premiership player, saluting in his final match in the 2019 decider. A class act of the highest order.
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