NAB League: Eastern Ranges’ best 20 of all time ranked
A long list of famous names have enjoyed decorated AFL careers after coming out of NAB League club Eastern Ranges. We’ve had a crack at ranking the best 20. Did we get it right?
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The Eastern Ranges have produced several AFL champions since their inception in 1992.
We’ve ranked the best 20 players the NAB League club has produced, meaning current day players in the formative stages of their careers are likely to be placed higher in coming years as they make their mark at the elite level.
20. Tom Boyd (Greater Western Sydney, Western Bulldogs)
Immortalised in Western Bulldogs folklore for his premiership-sealing long-range goal in the final quarter of the 2016 AFL grand final as the club snapped its 62-year flag drought. Tall, versatile and tough to match up on at his best. Originally drafted by Greater Western Sydney, Boyd played 61 matches at AFL level before announcing his retirement in May of 2019. Originally from Norwood in the EFL.
19. Jonathon Patton (Greater Western Sydney, Hawthorn)
The former St Simons/Rowville Knights junior was a highly-touted No. 1 draft pick in 2011 for Greater Western Sydney. An Eastern Ranges best and fairest winner in 2010 as a bottom-age player, the tall and mobile Patton has plied his trade as a forward/ruck at the elite level, where he has to date played in excess of 90 games – including 89 for the Giants from 2012-19 – before a trade to Hawthorn. A rising star nominee in 2014, Patton topped the Giants’ goalkicking in 2017 and has kicked more than 130 majors to date.
18. Jaidyn Stephenson (Collingwood)
He’s only into his third season in the AFL, but what an impact the former Ferntree Gully Eagle has made in that time after his No. 6 selection by Collingwood at the 2017 draft. The pacy, electric small forward took out the AFL’s rising star award in 2018 after playing every game in his debut season, including the 2018 grand final. Looked to have the ball on a string early in the ‘18 decider, with two opening quarter goals on the biggest stage of all. Has played less than 50 games to date for the ‘Pies, but what a mark he’s made.
17. Jason Saddington (Sydney, Carlton)
The Mitcham product was a regular fixture in the Rodney Eade-coached Sydney teams of the late ‘90s and early 2000s, holding down a spot in the back six. Earned a rising star nomination in his debut year in 1998 on his way to 142 matches for the Swans until 2005, where he was traded to Carlton at the end of that season following a serious knee injury. Played a further 20 games for the Blues while also making his mark for the club’s VFL affiliate, the Northern Bullants, where he won the club best and fairest in 2008. Played a total of 162 AFL matches for 47 goals, following his pick 11 selection in the 1997 draft.
16. Rayden Tallis (Hawthorn)
Made his name as a small defender and midfielder for Hawthorn from the mid-1990s, earning a rising star nomination in his debut year in 1994. Flourished under the tutelage of incoming coach Peter Schwab in the 2000 season playing every game that year, followed by 25 matches in 2001, including the preliminary final. Finals appearances though were few and far between, representing the club during some pretty lean years. Ferocious attack on the footy and never took a backwards step, Tallis was a steal for the Hawks at pick 56 in the 1993 national draft, playing 163 matches from 1994-2004.
15. Christian Petracca (Melbourne)
From the Park Orchards junior program, Petracca has become one of the league’s top inside bulls during his time at the Demons, and has handled the pressure that comes with being a top draft pick with aplomb as a No. 2 selection in 2015. Petracca’s immediate years before his drafting had quite a build-up, taking out the Larke Medal in 2014 for the best player in the AFL’s under-18 championships. Earned a rising star nomination in his debut season, and has since featured in more than 85 matches for Melbourne. It’s only been five seasons, and in time he’ll surely rocket further up the list of those plucked from the east and into the big-time, but what an impact he’s had so far.
14. Troy Simmonds (Melbourne, Fremantle, Richmond)
The big-man found his way to Melbourne via the 1999 pre-season draft, after playing his juniors at Montrose. Predominantly a ruckman but could swing forward, he would play 197 games across three clubs, later representing Fremantle and finishing his career at Richmond in 2010. Played in the 2000 grand final for Melbourne, and pulled on the Big V in 2008 for the AFL’s tribute match. Booted 132 goals across his 12-year career in the top-flight.
13. Jess Sinclair (Fremantle, North Melbourne)
A product of East Ringwood, Sinclair was snapped up by Fremantle with pick 31 in the 1996 national draft, where he would spend four seasons for 50 games. Established himself at the elite level in 1998 with a breakout year, earning a rising star nomination. Returned home to Victoria in 2000 and found his way to North Melbourne as part of the Peter Bell trade, where he would make his name as a running half-back flanker across a further 142 games for a total of 192 AFL appearances and 71 goals.
12. Adam Kingsley (Port Adelaide)
Versatile defender/midfielder during Port Adelaide’s dominant run of the early 2000s, Kingsley featured in 170 matches across a decade-long career from 1997-2006. Burst onto the scene early on, winning Port’s club best and fairest in 1998 before featuring in the Power’s 2004 premiership side when they took down the triple-reigning champions, the Brisbane Lions. Pick 37 in the 1996 national draft.
11. Nick Malceski (Sydney, Gold Coast)
Sublime disposal packaged with offensive and defensive nous – the Sydney Swans pounced on a bargain with Malceski’s pick 64 selection in the 2002 draft. Took some time to establish himself at AFL level after injuring his knee and requiring a reconstruction in just his second year, and such hurdles would present a few times more during his career. But that didn’t deter the former Park Orchards junior on his way to 176 matches for the Swans from 2002-2014, and a further 34 for the Gold Coast Suns across 2015-16. Think the 2012 AFL grand final, and you’ll likely remember the impact Malceski had – particularly his snap for goal late in the match ensuring the Swans the flag. All-Australian in 2014.
10. Brad Scott (Hawthorn, Brisbane Lions)
Selected with pick 60 in the 1996 draft by Hawthorn, where he played 22 matches in 1997 before a trade to the Brisbane Lions to play alongside brother Chris. An integral member of the Lions’ 2001 and 2002 premiership-winning campaigns, and like his brother, often caused headaches for opposition forwards with his rugged style of play. Nowhere near as flashy as some others featured in the top 10, but to hold down a consistent place in one of the most dominant teams the VFL/AFL has ever seen is a testament to how he played his footy. Later coached North Melbourne for almost a decade.
9. Lindsay Gilbee (Western Bulldogs)
Dead-eye, pinpoint kick. At his best, there were few, if any at all, better than Gilbee at it in the AFL. A steal for the Bulldogs at pick 43 in the 1999 national draft, the former Coldstream Cougar would go on to play 206 matches for the Bulldogs from 2001-2012 and made his name as a prolific rebound defender. Represented Australia in International Rules on four occasions, and earned an All-Australian honour in 2006.
8. Liam Shiels (Hawthorn)
Arrived at Hawthorn fresh off the club’s surprise 2008 premiership where he would have to contend for a spot among a midfield that included the likes of Mitchell, Lewis, Sewell and soon Shaun Burgoyne. But more than 200 games in, Shiels has more than earned his keep, becoming a leader and playing an integral role in the Hawks’ three-peat of premierships from 2013-15. Hawks snagged themselves a bargain here, taking Shiels at 34 in the second round of the 2008 national draft. Originally from The Basin in the EFL.
7. Kane Johnson (Adelaide, Richmond)
The midfielder from Ringwood burst onto the scene in 1996 after the Crows swooped in with pick 27 at the ‘95 draft, ahead of playing in two AFL premierships across 1997 and 1998 before the age of 20. After 104 matches with the Crows, Johnson would return to Victoria in the yellow and black, playing a further 116 games for Richmond – captaining the club from 2005-08 with a club best and fairest in 2006. A damaging midfielder at his peak, but it shouldn’t be forgotten how effective he could be as a shutdown tagger.
6. Chris Scott (Brisbane Bears, Brisbane Lions)
Tough, uncompromising, ruthless – forwards knew they were in for a rough time lining up on this ‘no frills’ Brisbane defender. Selected at No. 12 in 1993 by the Brisbane Bears, Scott cemented himself as a mainstay of the club’s back six from his debut year in 1994, where he would take out the AFL’s rising star award. His rise continued post the club merger, taking out the Brisbane Lions’ best and fairest award in 1998, before playing an integral part in two flags in 2001 and 2002. Served as the Lions’ vice-captain from 1999-2004 through one of the AFL’s most revered dynasties before retiring in 2007 with 215 games to his name. Current coach of Geelong which he led to a premiership in his first year at the helm in 2011.
5. David Wirrpanda (West Coast)
Made his debut for West Coast at just 16 years of age in 1996 – the youngest player ever to debut for the club. A mainstay down back for the Eagles during the 2000s, Wirrpanda became a vital part of the club’s rise up the ladder during that decade with his sweeping defensive work and clearances. Part of the Eagles’ grand final sides across 2005-06, culminating in a premiership in 2006, and an All-Australian selection in 2005. Made the part-time move up forward in the twilight of his career, proving to be an effective switch with his sublime foot-skills. Originally from Healesville, Wirrpanda was snapped up by the Eagles in the 1996 pre-season draft, and retired in 2009 after 227 games and 131 goals.
4. Rory Sloane (Adelaide)
Before he was the current Adelaide Crows captain, Sloane captained the Eastern Ranges as a top-age player in 2008 where he had begun as a 16-year-old via Upwey-Tecoma. A crucial cog in the Crows’ midfield since debuting in 2009, Sloane has played more than 200 matches winning two club best and fairest awards and an All-Australian honour in 2016. Played in the Crows’ 2017 grand final side, and represented Australia at International Rules that season. Pick 44 in the 2008 national draft.
3. Travis Cloke (Collingwood, Western Bulldogs)
In his prime, he was one of the AFL’s top forwards – quick on the lead, vice-like hands and tough to manoeuvre one-on-one – Collingwood’s father-son selection in the 2004 national draft delivered in spades across a 12-year career in the black and white. Topped the Magpies’ goalkicking on four occasions, took home the club best and fairest in 2007, earned two All-Australian honours and was an integral part of the 2010 premiership team. The former Park Orchards junior finished up at Collingwood at the end of 2016 and played a further 10 matches for the Western Bulldogs in 2017 before retiring with 256 career games and 452 goals to his name.
2. Kade Simpson (Carlton)
More than 330 games for Carlton and counting. The slightly-built Simpson arrived at Princes Park following his fourth round selection at the 2002 draft at pick 45. While team success at the Blues hasn’t been a common theme for the former Emerald junior with just four finals appearances in 17 seasons, the one constant has been Simpson’s heart, relentless courage and commitment to the cause, playing 158 consecutive matches from 2005-12. He’s ranked third for all-time games played at Carlton, behind only Bruce Doull and Craig Bradley. Winner of the Blues’ best and fairest in 2013. And, as of Round 5 of the 2020 AFL season, he has overtaken Sam Mitchell for most games played at AFL level by an Eastern Ranges draftee.
1. Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn, West Coast)
The Mooroolbark product is the only Brownlow medallist to come out of the Eastern Ranges, retrospectively tying for the 2012 top honour in 2016. A two-time Ranges best and fairest winner across 1999 and 2000, he would develop into a midfielder of the Greg Williams mould – but would be remarkably overlooked in the 2000 national draft. Not blessed with athleticism or pace which the game at the elite level had begun to demand by the start of the 21st century, but an accumulator of possessions and deadly by hand or foot. Mitchell earned an opportunity at Box Hill, and would play in the VFL outfit’s 2001 flag. It wasn’t long before Hawthorn pounced at the 2001 draft, nabbing Mitchell at pick 36. Finished up at Hawthorn at the end of 2016 after 307 matches, and played a further 22 for West Coast to end his career on 329 matches. Four AFL premierships including one as captain, three All-Australian selections, five Hawthorn best and fairest medals, the VFL’s league best and fairest in 2002 and the AFL’s rising star award in 2003. Not bad for someone once thought to be too slow.
