The Calder Cannons’ best team of the past 25 years features some AFL legends

Famously known as “the footy factory”, Calder Cannons’ best team of the past 25 years features some absolute AFL greats. See the side here.

Calder Cannons' best team since 2000.

Famously known as the footy factory, Calder Cannons have seen some absolute AFL greats walk through the door.

It’s seen the club win six TAC/NAB/Coates League titles, the most of any club since 2000.

The selected 22 is chock full of AFL talent, boasting 14 premierships, a Brownlow Medal, a litany of club best-and-fairests, as well as Mark and Goal of the Year winners.

It also means some big names have been forced out.

The likes of Ivan Maric, Brock McLean, Lynden Dunn, Jackson Trengove and Zac Dawson can consider themselves unlucky, while Mitch Lewis, Zach Guthrie, Rhylee West and Lachie Sholl could force their way in in the future.

A special mention to Fortunato Caruso, one of only two players to win two Morrish Medals who was overlooked for an AFL opportunity.

And then there’s Jake Riccardi, Luke Ryan and Adam Saad who all came through the Cannons program but were drafted more on their performances at VFL level with Werribee and Coburg respectively.

Jake Lever in action for Calder Cannons.

Jake Lever in action for Melbourne. Picture: Michael Klein

BACK

TOM LONERGAN (Geelong)

Drafted: No. 23, 2002 national draft

Overcame a life-threatening kidney injury in 2006 to play 209 AFL games for the Cats. Was a part of the 2011 premiership and won a VFL premiership in 2007, earning the best-on-ground Norm Goss Medal. Returned to the Cannons as talent manager in 2019 before heading to Geelong Falcons and then Carlton.

DANIEL TALIA (Adelaide)

Drafted: No. 13, 2009 national draft

The star defender retired after an even 200 games for the Crows. Burst onto the scene in 2012 and was awarded the Ron Evans Medal as the AFL’s Rising Star. Went on to earn two All-Australian selections (2014, 2016) and a Malcolm Blight Medal as Adelaide’s best-and-fairest in 2014. A member of the Crows’ 2017 grand final team.

JAKE LEVER (Adelaide, Melbourne)

Drafted: No. 14, 2014 national draft

Romsey’s favourite son has been one of the league’s best backmen since debuting in 2015. After 56 games for the Crows he moved to Melbourne, where he currently has 122 games under his belt. Enjoyed a stellar 2021, earning All-Australian selection before going on to help the Demons break their premiership drought.

Cam Guthrie in action for Calder Cannons.

Cam Guthrie in action for Geelong.

HALF-BACK

CAM GUTHRIE (Geelong)

Drafted: No. 23, 2010 national draft

Made his debut in 2011 but missed out on the Cats’ premiership that year. Missed out again in 2020 as Geelong went down to Richmond in the COVID bubble grand final in Brisbane but Guthrie got his medal in 2022 when Geelong saluted. Earned All-Australian selection in 2020 and is a two-time Carji Greeves Medallist as Geelong’s best-and-fairest, winning in 2020 and sharing the award with Jeremy Cameron in 2022.

JAKE CARLISLE (Essendon, St Kilda)

Drafted: No. 24, 2009 national draft

Played 151 games in a decade at the top level with Essendon and St Kilda. Played 85 games for the Bombers before requesting a trade to the Saints, adding another 66 games. Had his first season at St Kilda wiped out by the Essendon supplements bans. Retired at 29 after back surgery.

BRANDON ELLIS (Richmond, Gold Coast)

Drafted: No. 15, 2011 national draft

Broke out in 2014, finishing second in Richmond’s best-and-fairest. Went on to play in Richmond’s drought-breaking premiership in 2017 and added a second in 2019 before moving to the Gold Coast. Played 176 games for the Tigers and another 75 for the Suns before retiring last season.

Touk Miller in action for Calder Cannons.

Gold Coast captain Touk Miller.

CENTRE

JAMES KELLY (Geelong, Essendon)

Drafted: No. 17, 2001 national draft

Taken in the first round of the 2001 “super draft”, which also saw Jimmy Bartel, Steve Johnson and Gary Ablett arrive at the Cattery. Went on to play 273 games for the Cats, winning three premierships (2007, 2009, 2011) and one All-Australian selection (2011). Retired in 2015 but returned for two more seasons and 40 games at Essendon after being a supplements sage top-up playing, taking him to 313 games.

DANE SWAN (Collingwood)

Drafted: No. 58, 2001 national draft

Arguably Calder’s greatest product. Played 258 games for Collingwood, played in the 2010 premiership, winning the Leigh Matthews Trophy as AFLPA MVP and AFLCA Player of the Year the same year, won the Brownlow Medal in 2011, was a five-time All-Australian, three-time Copeland Trophy winner as Collingwood’s best-and-fairest, Jim Stynes Medallist and Williamstown VFL premiership player. Inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2024.

TOUK MILLER (Gold Coast)

Drafted: No. 29, 2014 national draft

The Gold Coast captain currently has 191 AFL games under his belt after debuting in 2015. A two-time All-Australian (2021-22) and Gold Coast best-and-fairest winner (2021-22) and AFLCA Player of the Year in 2022.

Peter Wright in action for Calder Cannons.

Peter Wright in Essendon colours.

HALF-FORWARD

MITCH WALLIS (Western Bulldogs)

Drafted: No. 22, 2010 national draft (father-son)

Followed in his father, Steve’s, footsteps when taken by the Bulldogs. Became one of the club’s key midfielders as it surged into premiership contention but was cruelly denied a premiership medal in 2016 after a horrific broken leg earlier that season. Converted to a leading forward and won the club’s goalkicking award in 2020. Finished with 162 games.

PETER WRIGHT (Gold Coast, Essendon)

Drafted: No. 8, 2014 national draft

Was snapped up by Gold Coast but struggled for regular gametime, playing 66 games in six seasons. Moved to Essendon in 2021 and made an instant impact. Enjoyed a career year in 2022, playing 22 games and kicking 53 goals to win the Crichton Medal as Essendon’s best-and-fairest. Currently has 67 games and 120 goals in red and black for a total of 133 and 205.

JAKE MELKSHAM (Essendon, Melbourne)

Drafted: No. 10, 2009 national draft

Provided tremendous service at both the Bombers and Demons, playing 114 and 115 (current) games respectively. Was traded to Melbourne in 2015 but had his 2016 season wiped out as a result of Essendon’s supplements saga bans. Helped the club break a 12-year finals drought in 2018 but missed out on the 2021 premiership after being dropped for the Demons’ finals campaign.

Eddie Betts celebrates a goal for Calder Cannons.

Eddie Betts celebrates a goal for Adelaide. Picture Sarah Reed

FORWARD

DAVID RODAN (Richmond, Port Adelaide, Melbourne)

Drafted: No. 33, 2001 national draft

One of only two players to win the Morrish Medal twice in the Under-18 era. Was delisted by the Tigers after 65 games before finding his feet at the Power, playing 111 games – including the 2007 grand final – and kicking 86 goals. Spent one season at the Demons for nine games. Also played two International Rules games for Australia against Ireland in 2008. Now one of the AFL’s top goal umpires.

JOE DANIHER (Essendon, Brisbane)

Drafted: No. 10, 2012 national draft (father-son)

Retired on the highest of highs last season after winning a premiership with Brisbane. Called time after a 204-game career, kicking 395 goals. Had a breakout season in 2017, kicking 65 goals, winning the Crichton Medal as Essendon’s best-and-fairest, earning All-Australian selection and AFL Mark of the Year. However, after three injury-cruelled years requested a trade to Brisbane. After 191 goals in 108 games for the Bombers, Daniher kicked 204 goals in just 96 appearances for the Lions.

EDDIE BETTS (Carlton, Adelaide)

Drafted: No. 3, 2004 pre-season draft

The magical small forward played 350 games, third most all-time among indigenous players, while his 640 goals is second only to Lance Franklin. Add in seven more games for Australia, two Indigenous All-Stars appearances and one for the AFL All Stars. A three-time All-Australian selection (2015-17), four-time leading goalkicker at Adelaide and twice more at Carlton, plus a four-time AFL Goal of the Year winner.

Dion Prestia in action for Calder Cannons.

Dion Prestia in action for Richmond. Picture: Michael Klein

FOLLOWERS

REILLY O’BRIEN (Adelaide)

Drafted: No. 9, 2014 rookie draft

Drafted after impressing at Calder and VFL club Coburg as a 19-year-old. Took over the Crows’ No. 1 ruck role in 2019 and won the Malcolm Blight Medal as the club’s best-and-fairest in 2020. Led the league in hitouts in both 2023-24, collecting 888 and 898 in each. Was awarded the AFL’s Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award in 2024 for his advocacy and community work for mental health in South Australia.

DION PRESTIA (Gold Coast, Richmond)

Drafted: No. 9, 2010 national draft

A part of Gold Coast’s inaugural AFL team in 2011, going on to play 95 games for the Suns before being traded to Richmond in 2017. Helped the Tigers break their premiership drought that season and won flags again in 2019 and 2020. Claimed a Jack Dyer Medal as Richmond’s best-and-fairest in the 2019 premiership season and finished third in 2022. Currently has 225 games to his name.

TOM LIBERATORE (Western Bulldogs)

Drafted: No. 40, 2010 national draft (father-son)

With 218 games to his name, he’s not far behind father Tony’s 283 for the Dogs. Both are Charles Sutton Medal winners as club best-and-fairest but Tom will always have the 2016 premiership triumph. Tom also has five podium finishes in the club champion award. Much like the old man, loves it in tight and led the league for tackles (173) in 2014.

INTERCHANGE

RICHARD DOUGLAS (Adelaide)

Drafted: No. 16, 2005 national draft

A consistent midfielder who played 246 games before retiring in 2019. Also represented Australia in two International Rules matches. Enjoyed a career best season in 2010, winning the Malcolm Blight Medal as Adelaide’s best-and-fairest. Finished runner-up in 2013 as well.

BRENT REILLY (Adelaide)

Drafted: No. 12, 2001 national draft

Began Adelaide’s love affair with Calder Cannons products, going on to play 203 games of reliable footy. Adelaide hadn’t had a Rising Star nomination in four years before Reilly broke the drought in Round 16, 2004. Established himself as a midfield tagger before moving to half-back.

RYAN CROWLEY (Fremantle, Essendon)

Drafted: No. 55, 2002 national draft

Crowley’s career was almost over before it began when he was delisted in 2004 without playing a game. However, he was re-drafted as a rookie and took his opportunity with both hands, broke into the Dockers line-up in 2005 and went on to play 188 games. Became one of the AFL’s most feared taggers and was rewarded with the Fremantle best-and-fairest Doig Medal in 2012. A member of Fremantle’s maiden Grand Final team in 2013 before joining Essendon for a season in 2016 as a supplements ban top-up, adding eight appearances for a total of 196. Also represented Australia four times.

NOAH BALTA (Richmond)

Drafted: No. 25, 2017 national draft

Played senior football as a 16-year-old at Essendon Doutta Stars. Had to wait until 2019 to make his AFL debut, kicking a goal with his first kick in Round 1 against Carlton. Despite 13 games, Balta missed out on Richmond’s AFL premiership that season but got a consolation VFL flag. Cemented himself in the Tigers’ line-up in 2020 and was a part of the club’s 2020 flag triumph. Currently has 104 games under his belt.

UNLUCKY: Andrew Welsh, Ivan Maric, Zac Dawson, Brock McLean, Lynden Dunn, Jeremy Laidler, Shaun McKernan, Jackson Trengove, Rory Atkins, Mitch Lewis, Zach Guthrie, Rhylee West, Lachie Sholl, Fortunato Caruso, Jake Riccardi, Luke Ryan, Adam Saad

Fortunato Caruso won back-to-back TAC Cup Morrish Medals.