Local Footy: EFL Divison 2’s best 20 players ranked
It is known for its depth and evenness right across the board, but who are the best of the best in the EFL’s Division 2? We’ve ranked the top 20. Did we get it right?
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It is one of the EFL’s deepest and most even divisions across the board, which makes selecting a top 20 a tough task.
In what was one of the most exciting finals series in recent memory, it’s easy to see why the teams could hardly be split, along with the home-and-away ladder where just eight points separated first from fifth.
While those new to the division - Knox who was relegated from Division 1 and South Belgrave who was promoted on the back of an undefeated season in Division 3 - couldn’t be ranked due to how even the comp was in 2019, a handful of the names to watch have been listed further down in no particular order.
Players were selected based on their 2019 Division 2 seasons, and there were several stiff to miss out due to the depth of talent across the clubs, such as Templestowe’s joint best and fairest Daniel Pearce, star Ringwood defender Scott Laing, lightning quick forward Zach Callinan, rebounding defender Jayden Cairns and Boronia duo Jayden Collins and Ryan Henderson, to name just a few.
Of the clubs that competed in the division last year and will again in 2021, Boronia leads the charge with six players named, followed by Heathmont with four, Ringwood and Mulgrave with three each, and The Basin and Templestowe with two.
1. MITCH FARMER (RINGWOOD)
The big-bodied midfielder won the Redbacks’ best and fairest in a dominant year for the club where he was a key part of its push into another grand final, featuring in the midfield and in attack. Booted 43 majors from 19 matches last season including three or more on eight occasions to figure among the division’s top goalkickers. But it’s not just his goalkicking prowess that makes him stand out. Farmer causes damage on the inside and outside, and can produce the spectacular, making him one of the most complete players of his division. Named in the centre in the Team of the Year.
2. MATT BUZINSKAS (BORONIA)
The tough, inside midfielder produced a stellar 2019 where he put together one of the comp’s most consistent seasons. Finished equal runner-up in the medal count by a mere two votes and was rewarded with a Team of the Year nod. The former club captain has resumed his place as one of the Hawks’ most crucial through the middle with a strong-bodied presence in close, after returning to the club in 2018 after stints at Wantirna South and Watsonia.
3. RYAN WHITE (BORONIA)
Enjoyed one of his best seasons to date in 2019, taking out his second club best and fairest award in a year where the Hawks finished minor premiers and played off in a preliminary final. Has courage and elite pace in spades as well as versatility, where he can play midfield, back or forward where he’s damaging by foot. Also added another Team of the Year honour in 2019, named on the half back flank, and finished equal-sixth in the race for the comp best and fairest.
4. BEN ABBRUZZESE (HEATHMONT)
Potent key tall for the Jets able to swing back or forward as needed, but it was Abbruzzese’s defensive nous which was recognised with selection at centre half-back in last year’s Team of the Year. His great leap coupled with his marking ability makes for a difficult match-up at either end of the ground. As important as there is running around for the Jets, and one of the premier big men of the competition.
5. DEAN SIAKOULIS (MULGRAVE)
The Mulgrave skipper has been a consistent standout for his club across many years, evidenced by his current run of six consecutive club best and fairest awards. And while it’s been a lean past few years for the Lions, this hasn’t stalled Siakoulis in leading from the front in the midfield against a host of the division’s most formidable opponents, where he earned Team of the Year selection in 2019, marking his seventh overall appearance. Chalked up game 150 last season and is already revered as an all-time great at the Lions.
6. MITCH BRERETON (RINGWOOD)
The lively forward more than earnt his keep last season with 42 majors to his name, stepping up in the absence of power forward Trent Farmer to help propel the club into another decider on his way to a spot in the Team of the Year in the forward pocket. One of the comp’s most exciting forwards to watch, with the quick-mover able to kick goals from just about anywhere.
7. LUKE HANNON (BORONIA)
The former Eastern Ranges captain has been a significant part of Boronia’s rise in recent years, becoming a regular of the Hawks’ line-up in 2017 following a stint with VFL outfit Casey. Prolific through the midfield but is just as dangerous in attack, as seen with his best on ground display in the Hawks’ 2018 premiership win. Two club best and fairest awards in his three seasons tells you all you need to know of Hannon’s impact, one of those in a premiership year no less. Put together another solid season last year to finish inside the top-five in the Division 2 medal count.
8. NICK HALLO (THE BASIN)
The exciting young on-baller had arguably his best season to date in 2019, taking out the Bears’ best and fairest in his first season with the club after crossing from Ferntree Gully. Has no trouble winning the footy or amassing possessions, and has significantly boosted the Bears’ engine room since his arrival. Named on the wing in the Team of the Year.
9. JARROD LAKE (BORONIA)
Has become the premier full back of the competition in recent years, with back-to-back selections in the Team of the Year across 2018-19. Competitive beast with a potent fist, continually taking on the division’s best forwards each week – and rarely beaten. Doesn’t get a lot of the external plaudits that midfielders or forwards receive, but the 2018 premiership defender is as important to the Hawks’ line-up as any.
10. LACHLAN MCKERNAN (BORONIA)
The Boronia captain continued to lead by example week in, week out throughout 2019 with his strong presence in close and at the stoppages. But it’s not just his inside grit that makes him one of the division’s best players - skills are sublime by hand or foot, and he rarely wastes a possession. Rover in the Team of the Year.
11. SAMUEL DE SOYSA (TEMPLESTOWE)
What a return it was in 2019 for De Soysa after missing a season and a half of footy through injury with a couple of knee reconstructions. Tied for the club best and fairest award in his first season with the Dockers after crossing from Balwyn, and earned selection in the Team of the Year on the half-back flank. Former Port Melbourne player in the now-defunct development league.
12. MITCH JACKSON (RINGWOOD)
Crucial part of the Redbacks’ midfield brigade who covers the ground better than most in the division with an exceptional tank for running all day, making him a tough match-up for opposition mids. Formed part of the Ringwood leadership group last season and was selected in the Team of the Year.
13. ADAM BOOTH (MULGRAVE)
The evergreen premiership Lion continues to produce consistent, quality performances for his side and is showing no signs of slowing down. Has booted more than 600 career goals across 250 matches, and holds the equal club record for most games played. Featured in all 18 matches last year and was named among the best in 11 of those, booting 29 majors for the season. Named on the half-forward flank in the Team of the Year. One of the greatest to have ever pulled on a Mulgrave jumper, and was part of the club’s 2010 senior flag.
14. DANIEL ARANGIO (TEMPLESTOWE)
Booted 35 goals from 14 matches last season, finishing among the comp’s top goalkickers. Brings state league experience having previously played for Perth in the WAFL before moving to Templestowe in 2018. A solid mark and a more than reliable kick for goal, but his hard work when he doesn’t have the footy shouldn’t be undersold either.
15. SEB HENDERSON (MULGRAVE)
Former Port Melbourne-listed tall can play either end of the ground, break lines, take grabs and kick goals, making him not only one of Mulgrave’s most important players, but one of the premier big men of the competition. Missed a handful of games last season but his impact when on the park can’t be denied, and finished inside the top-10 of the comp best and fairest. Won the Division 2 Kenneth Wright Medal in 2017 and Mulgrave’s best and fairest in 2013.
16. AYHAN BAJRAMOV (HEATHMONT)
Breakout year at senior level last year for the emerging utility, topping the Jets’ goalkicking with 31 majors on his way to selection in the Team of the Year at centre half-forward in his first season at the club. Has played at a higher level having come across from Montrose when it competed in the league’s top division, and the exciting part for the Jets is, he’s still only young, so he’s one to look out for in the future.
17. JOSH ADAMS (THE BASIN)
The three-time club best and fairest winner brings a wealth of leadership and experience to a mostly youthful Bears side, willing himself to every contest with his relentless running, where he has no qualms about putting himself in harm’s way. Has played more than 150 matches for the club over a 12-year period where he’s battled more than his share of injuries, but this hasn’t stopped the prolific midfielder becoming one of the comp’s best.
18. MATT DECLER (HEATHMONT)
Has made his name a key part of the Jets’ defence across the past couple of years since joining the club, but he’s more than capable lending a hand up the ground where his pace, clean skills and aerial work also come in handy. Named in the 2019 Team of the Year in the back pocket.
19. COREY BURGESS (BORONIA)
Has more than proven his worth at either end of the ground over the past two seasons, but took his game to another level in 2019 where he formed part of the club’s solid defence, and was rewarded with a spot in the Team of the Year in the back pocket. His hard-running ability causes regular opposition headaches.
20. JORDAN HAYNES (HEATHMONT)
The former Box Hill Hawk played three matches for the VFL outfit last season after previously featuring heavily among the club’s development league side in 2017. Was set to be a full-time player at Heathmont this season before the shutdown took hold, following a 2019 season which netted a Team of the Year gong. Not blessed with height but he more than makes up for it with sublime skills and a ferocious attack on the footy.
DIVISION 2 NEWCOMERS TO WATCH...
LIAM KIDD (SOUTH BELGRAVE)
As dominant a midfielder as there was in Division 3 last season, winning the comp medal by a runaway nine votes, captain in the Team of the Year and premiership skipper of one of the most dominant teams in recent memory. Also played in Knox’s 2017 Division 2 premiership side. Look out.
LEIGH ODERMATT (SOUTH BELGRAVE)
Age hasn’t slowed down the triple EFL premiership star after featuring prominently in South Belgrave’s all-conquering Division 3 side in 2019. Topped the Division 3 goalkicking last year with 67 majors and 78 overall on his way to a top-five finish in the comp best and fairest, Team of the Year honours at centre half-forward and a five-goal best-on-ground performance in the grand final. All this following 45 and 53 goal seasons with Heathmont and Coldstream in the previous two years.
JACK BEECH (KNOX)
Continued to be one of the premier ruckmen of his division last season, and with the Falcons set to take on the comp’s third tier in 2021, expect that to continue. Premiership player with Knox in 2017 and one of his side’s most important players and above all, leads with distinction. The former Sandringham Dragon finished top 10 in the Division 1 medal count in 2019.
TAYLOR LEGGATE (BORONIA)
One of the big recruiting coups of Division 2 following the 2019 season, with the former Wantirna South star reuniting with his old mentor Matt Clark at Tormore Reserve. The A-grade goalkicking midfielder played in the Devils’ 2014 Division 3 flag under Clark, and has three Team of the Year gongs to his name across 2016, ‘17 and ‘18. Huge boost for the Hawks.
TIM SMITH (SOUTH BELGRAVE)
The former Melbourne and Casey forward links up with brother Michael at the Saints, and 2010 Upper Gully premiership teammates Tim Riseley and Luke Galliott - the latter now his coach. Played 13 matches for Melbourne from 2017-19, following a strong run in the VFL which produced a Team of the Year nod, state honours and a grand final appearance. The high-flyer is set to add further firepower to an already potent South Belgrave attack, and should figure among the top drawcards of the division.
TIM RISELEY (SOUTH BELGRAVE)
The decorated midfielder took out the Saints’ most consistent honour in 2019 for his tireless, hard-at-it work through the engine room. Brought a wealth of higher division experience having crossed from Upper Ferntree Gully where he’s among the club's greatest-ever players, and age hasn’t stalled his impact on matches.
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