NAB League: Eastern Ranges’ best 20 of all time ranked
A long list of names have enjoyed decorated AFL careers after graduating from the Ranges. We’ve ranked the best 20 ahead of this year’s draft.
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The Eastern Ranges have produced several AFL champions since their inception in 1992.
From premiership winners, games record-holders, Brownlow and Norm Smith recipients and more, we’ve ranked the best 20 players the NAB League club has produced ahead of this year’s AFL draft.
Did we get it right? Vote in our poll at the bottom and have your say in the comments.
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 Eastern league.
19. Jaidyn Stephenson (Collingwood, North Melbourne)
The former Ferntree Gully Eagle burst onto the AFL scene following 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 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. Traded to North Melbourne at the end of 2020, Stephenson has played 74 matches (54, ‘Pies; 20, ‘Roos) and kicked 93 goals. Twice named in the AFL’s 22 Under-22 team.
18. Adam Cerra (Fremantle, Carlton)
The former Eastern league Norwood junior became an important part of Fremantle’s midfield brigade following his selection at pick No. 5 in the 2017 national draft. Twice finished top five in the Dockers’ best and fairest across his four-year stint in Western Australia, before his trade to Carlton at the end of 2021 where he’s since made 18 appearances of his 94 overall. Named in the AFL’s 22 Under 22 team in the past three seasons.
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. 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.
14. 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.
13. 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.
12. 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.
11. 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 here, 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 and is the current coach of Essendon.
10. 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.
9. 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 after 255 games (90 goals) from 2009-2022, Shiels more than left his mark as a leader and an integral cog 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 after hailing from The Basin in the Eastern league. Could there be another chapter to play out in the triple premiership Hawk’s AFL career?
8. 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.
7. 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 premierships in 2011 and 2022.
6. 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. Wirrpanda was snapped up by the Eagles in the 1996 pre-season draft, and retired in 2009 after 227 games and 131 goals.
5. 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.
4. Kade Simpson (Carlton)
Carved out 342 AFL games – the most of any Eastern Ranges draftee. The slightly-built Simpson arrived at Princes Park following his selection in the fourth round of the 2002 draft at pick 45. While team success at the Blues wasn’t a common theme for the former Emerald junior with just four finals appearances across his 2003 to 2020 stretch, the one constant was Simpson’s 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 in a career which took in 138 goals, eight International Rules appearances including a Jim Stynes Medal (2008) and the Carlton vice-captaincy.
3. 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 233 matches (130 goals), 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.
2. Christian Petracca (Melbourne)
The only former Ranges player to have won a Norm Smith Medal, Petracca continues to perform as one of the AFL’s top inside bulls following his No. 2 selection in the 2015 draft. His 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 151 matches for the Demons, kicking 142 goals. Best afield in Melbourne’s drought-breaking premiership in 2021, Petracca has claimed three consecutive All-Australian honours (2020, ‘21, ‘22) and a best and fairest at the Demons (2020).
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.
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