Leader Local Footy names the top 25 Diamond Valley/Northern league players since 2000
From ex-AFL guns to suburban legends, the Diamond Valley/Northern league has seen some outstanding talents. We’ve taken a crack at naming the top 25.
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The Diamond Valley/Northern Football Netball League has built a reputation as one of the strongest local footy competitions in Australia.
In the past 25 years the league has been home to some outstanding talent – from ex-AFL guns to suburban legends.
So it’s no surprise that picking a top-25 of the past 25 years is extraordinarily difficult.
Some amazing names have missed out; Lachie Wilson is a two-time Rosbrook Medallist and four-time Division 1 premiership player and James Kroussoratis is the only man to have won a league goalkicking medal in each division.
Arguments can be made for the likes of Patrick Flynn, Dean Haydock, David Mitchell, Jack Johnstone, Brent Macaffer and many more.
However, there has only been one change from our last list in 2022, celebrating the NFNL’s 150 years, with legendary ruckman Sam Gilmore pushing his way in.
Check out the complete list below.
25. JESSE DONALDSON (Diamond Creek/ Montmorency/ Eltham)
Premierships: 2023 (D2)
Club B&F: 2019, 2023
Div 1 Coaches’ MVP: 2014
Div 1 Team of the Year: 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021
Div 2 Team of the Year: 2023
The resume highlights the consistent brilliance Donaldson has produced since debuting at Diamond Creek in 2009. The star midfielder would have countless podium places in league and club best-and-fairest counts over the years and continues to be a key part in Eltham’s Division 1 journey. Played 154 matches for the Magpies before crossing to the Panthers. Helped the club break its – and his own – premiership drought with the 2023 NFNL Division 2 title, earning Team of the Year honours in the process.
24. SAM GILMORE (West Preston-Lakeside/ Heidelberg/ Old Paradians)
Premierships: 2016, 2022, 2023, 2024 (D3)
Club B&F: 2019, 2022
Div 1 Coaches’ MVP: 2019
Div 1 Team of the Year: 2019, 2022, 2023
Div 3 Team of the Year: 2024
The only inclusion from our top-25 from 2022. Gilmore has surged into the conversation as one of the league’s modern greats with a silverware-laden decade. Returned to local footy full-time in 2016 and immediately claimed premiership glory with the Tigers. Regularly one of the league’s top big men but stuck behind Bundoora’s Matthew Dennis when it came to the likes of Team of the Year honours. Won a Heidelberg best-and-fairest in 2019 and was named club captain in 2020, going on to lead the club to back-to-back flags. Departed in 2024 for one season at newcomers Old Paradians, alongside his brother Will, winning another flag. Having returned to Warringal Reserve this year, another title beckons.
23. CHRIS HALL (Heidelberg)
Premierships: 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Div 1 leading goalkicker: 2005, 2007
Grand Final BOG: 2004
Club leading goalkicker: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Div 1 Team of the Year: 2007, 2008
Booted 425 goals in his 183 games at Heidelberg, a dominant force in the Tigers’ attacking 50m for more than a decade. Broke the century mark in 2005 when he kicked 102 – a joint club record. A key member of the Heidelberg four-peat and was named in the best-on-ground in the 2004 triumph.
22. FABIAN CARELLI (West Preston-Lakeside/ Montmorency)
Premierships: 2003
Frank Smith Medal: 2003
Club B&F: 2005
Had already had a distinguished career in the VFL when he arrived at Moore Park but would go on to become a great of the Diamond Valley league. Carelli captained the Roosters to the merged club’s first flag in 2003 and took out the league best-and-fairest in the same season. Former Collingwood teammate and fellow Smith Medallist Mario Bandera said few players could match his footy IQ and ball-winning ability in tight. Made almost 200 senior appearances, and kicked more than 200 goals, before hanging up the boots and going into coaching first with Montmorency and then St Mary’s.
21. MATTHEW VASILEVSKI (Mernda/ Bundoora/ West Preston-Lakeside/ Lower Plenty/ Thomastown)
Rosbrook Medal: 2014, 2015
Club B&F: 2009, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019
Div 1 Team of the Year: 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019
Div 2 Team of the Year: 2009
A gun onballer at his height but capable of making a big impact in defence or attack. In fact, Vasilevski has been named on all three lines in different teams of the year and with three of his four clubs. Claimed the NFNL’s highest individual honour in back-to-back years before making a shock switch to the EDFL. Returned after one season to play with Thomastown and won three straight club best-and-fairests with the Bears. Made his debut for Mernda in 2007 before shifting between several clubs. Still running around with the Bears in 2025.
20. CAMERON CLOKE (Bundoora/ Hurstbridge)
Premierships: 2011, 2013
Rosbrook Medal: 2013
Div 1 leading goalkicker: 2013
Club B&F: 2011, 2013
Club leading goalkicker: 2013
Div 1 Team of the Year: 2011, 2012, 2013
Might have only been in the league for four years at the peak of his powers but what a four years they were. Two premierships and Bundoora club champion awards in each. Cloke’s 2013 was one for the record books as he claimed a premiership medal, Rosbrook Medal, league-leading goalkicker award and club best-and-fairest quadruple. Joined Hurstbridge in 2019 before stepping away from football mid-2021 due to concussion issues. Has since returned for stints at Templestowe and currently at Wallan.
19. LIONEL PROCTOR (Northcote Park/ Fitzroy Stars)
Div 2 league B&F: 2008, 2012
Club B&Fs: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
Div 2 Team of the Year: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
The smooth moving midfielder played 20 games for Richmond before joining Northcote Park. However, it was at Fitzroy Stars he became a NFNL great as one of the best players in the competition for nearly a decade. Won a pair of league medals in Division 2, helping the Stars reach back-to-back grand finals in 2013-14. Continues to dedicate himself to the Stars, taking over as senior coach in 2021, helping rebuild the club after relegation in 2022 and leading it to the Division 3 decider last year. Holds the club’s games record with 226 appearances.
18. AHMED SAAD (West Preston-Lakeside)
Premierships: 2018, 2019
Div 1 leading goalkicker: 2017, 2019, 2021
Club leading goalkicker: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021
Div 1 Team of the Year: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021
Despite only being in the league for six years, Saad made a lasting impact. The ex-AFL goalkicking wizard was a key foundation in the Roosters’ back-to-back NFNL Division 1 premierships and COVID-affected 2021 minor premiership. In that time he kicked 351 majors in 85 matches, claiming three league goalkicking crowns and earning Team of the Year every season between 2017 and 2021. Crossed to Pascoe Vale at the end of 2023, helping the Panthers to the EDFL Division 1 grand final last year.
17. DARCY BARDEN (Lower Plenty, Macleod)
Premierships: 2011 (D2), 2017 (D2)
Div 2 league B&F: 2011, 2022
Club B&F: 2013, 2014, 2024
Grand final BOG: 2011
Div 1 Team of the Year: 2013, 2014, 2023, 2024
Div 2 Team of the Year: 2011, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022
A commanding presence at either centre half-forward or centre half-back. Had a chip on his shoulder in 2011 after missing out at the AFL Draft and the Bears were the beneficiaries as Barden led the club to its first senior premiership since 1999 and won the NFNL Division 2 league best-and-fairest. After a one-year stint in the WAFL, he returned to his home club in 2013 and helped it through relegation in 2016 to a bounce back Division 2 flag in 2017. After claiming a second Division 1 league medal in 2022, crossed to Macleod in 2023 for Division 1 football. Despite the Kangas’ struggles, continued to be a force earning Team of the Year honours in 2023-24. A big chance to add a third premiership and league medal and a maiden league goalkicking award to his resume this season to push further up this list.
16. BRAYDEN SHAW (Bundoora/ Hurstbridge)
Premierships: 2011, 2013, 2016 (D2)
Grand Final BOG: 2013, 2016
It sounds silly to describe Shaw as under-rated given he’s a three-time premiership captain and one of the key planks in Bundoora’s dominance in the 2010s but that is probably the way he likes it. He joined Hurstbridge in 2015 and helped lift the club back to the NFNL’s top flight with another grand final masterclass before a devastating concussion brought a sudden end to his playing career.
15. PATRICK FITZGERALD (Montmorency, Laurimar)
Div 1 leading goalkicker: 2014, 2022, 2023
Club B&F: 2010, 2017
Club leading goalkicker: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021
Div 1 Team of the Year: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023
A dominant presence in the Magpies’ forward line for more than a decade, Fitzpatrick booted 790 goals before departing Montmorency at the end of 2024. While, NFNL records are fuzzy on the competition’s greatest goalkickers but there’s a good chance he would be behind only Shane Harvey on the all-time list. Claimed his first league goalkicking award in 2014 and had to wait eight years before going back-to-back in 2022-23 in a late-career renaissance. Shifted to Laurimar this season, where he continues to fill up the scoresheet, twice kicking bags of 10. As of publishing, “Doita” has 844 senior goals in the NFNL. Kicked another 17 representing the NFNL.
14. BRONIK DAVIES (Northcote Park)
Premierships: 2012
Rosbrook Medal: 2012, 2014
Div 1 Team of the Year: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016
The Alphington junior was always coming back to Bill Lawry Oval after stints with Preston (VFL) and West Adelaide (SANFL). He made an instant impact, winning the league medal in his second season before captaining his club to its first premiership since 2002 in 2012. Davies would win another Rosbrook Medal in 2014 but unbelievably hasn’t won a club best-and-fairest, finishing second four times.
13. DANIEL KING (Epping/ Montmorency)
Frank Smith Medal: 2004, 2005
Club B&F: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007
Div 1 Team of the Year: 2007, 2008, 2009
King was one of the dominant ruckman of his era and his two DVFL Frank Smith Medals are testament to his prowess. The star big man arrived at Epping after stints at VFL clubs Williamstown and North Ballarat in 2003 and joined Montmorency in 2008 after the Pingers were relegated, playing in the Pies’ 2008 NFNL Division 1 grand final defeat. Epping Team of the Century member.
12. BRETT JEFFERY (Northcote Park)
Premierships: 2000, 2001, 2002
Frank Smith Medal: 2006
Clubs B&F: 2001, 2003, 2006
Division 1 Team of the Year: 2007
Arguably the dominant ruckman of the early 2000s when Northcote Park was a powerhouse of the competition. A key part of the Cougars’ premiership four-peat from 1999 to 2002 and beyond. Continued to excel after the Cougars’ dynasty ended, winning the Frank Smith Medal in 2006 and named in the inaugural Northern Football League Team of the Year in 2007 after finishing fourth in the league goalkicking with 43 majors.
11. LUCAS HOBBS (Heidelberg/ Whittlesea/ Macleod)
Premierships: 2010 (Div 2), 2013 (Div 2), 2015
Rosbrook Medal: 2018
Club B&F: 2010, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018
Grand final BOG: 2010
Div 1 Team of the Year: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022
Div 2 Team of the Year: 2013
Had been a star of the competition for close to a decade and confirmed it with a maiden Rosbrook Medal win in 2018 when he tied with Heidelberg skipper Michael Brunelli. Twice helped Whittlesea win promotion before crossing to the Kangas in 2015 and playing a key role in the club’s drought-breaking Division 1 flag. Continues to be a standout midfielder having returned to Whittlesea Showgrounds in 2024 looking to add a fourth flag to his tally and lift the Eagles back to the top flight.
10. KANE SHAW (Macleod)
Premierships: 2009 (D2), 2015
Club B&F: 2005, 2008, 2011
Div 1 Coaches’ MVP: 2011
Grand Final BOG: 2009
Div 1 Team of the Year: 2011, 2012
Div 2 Team of the Year: 2008, 2009
Arguably the main driver that took Macleod from mid-table Division 2 to Division 1 powerhouse. Named captain at just 19 in 2005, the Roos lost three Division 2 deciders in a row before breaking through in 2009 as Shaw claimed best-on-ground honours. The defender would then lead the club to its first top flight flag since 1971 in 2015 and three more grand finals.
9. JUSTIN WHITE (Macleod)
Premierships: 2009 (D2), 2015
Club B&F: 2013, 2019
Div 1 Team of the Year: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Div 2 Team of the Year: 2009
In the conversation for the unluckiest player in DVFL/NFL history. A runner-up in the Rosbrook Medal three times and three straight grand final defeats with Macleod. However, that shouldn’t detract from one of the most distinguished careers of the past 20 years. His brilliance underlined by nine straight Team of the Year awards. Named Macleod captain from 2021 to 2024. Reached the 250-game milestone in Round 1 this year and a big chance to add a third premiership to his tally this season.
8. DANIEL KEENAN (Hurstbridge/ Montmorency)
Rosbrook Medal: 2008, 2009
Club B&F: 2002, 2003, 2011
NFL games record holder: 403
Div 1 Team of the Year: 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014
There have been few players like him at community level in Australia, let alone in the DVFL/NFL. Keenan debuted in 1998, making him the only player on this list to play the entire 2000s era. Broke the league games record in 2017 and broke the magical 400-game barrier in 2019. An Achilles injury during the 2021 pre-season looked to have robbed him of a farewell appearance but a miraculous recovery saw him play just six months later, adding one more game before hanging up the boots. Returned to Montmorency in 2022 as an assistant coach and is still running around in the reserves, showing the young fellas how it’s done.
7. NICK RIDDLE (Greensborough)
Premierships: 2014
Div 1 Team of the Year: 2011, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022
Club B&F: 2011, 2018
NFL inter-league best player: 2017, 2019
Arguably the best defender in the DVFL/NFL since the turn of the millennium. The Greensborough star served as Collingwood VFL co-captain for a season in 2013 before returning to War Memorial Park full-time, earning selection in the Division 1 Team of the Year every season from 2015 to 2022. Two community championships inter-league medals add further shine to his resume. Crossed to VAFA club Old Ivanhoe Grammarians in 2023 and helped the club claim a Premier C crown.
6. DANNY NOLAN (Heidelberg)
Premierships: 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Club B&F: 2004, 2007, 2012, 2013
Div 1 Team of the Year: 2007, 2012
From 2004 to 2013 there weren’t many better players in the competition than Nolan. A key member in the Tigers’ dominant era as they won five premierships – including four straight – and played in nine consecutive grand finals. Twice named club champion in premiership years and retired on a high with a fourth – and second straight – Heidelberg B&F in 2013. Further cemented his legacy at Warringal Reserve by coaching the Tigers to a premiership in 2022.
5. DALE NOLAN (Heidelberg/ Lower Plenty)
Premierships: 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2018 (D2)
Grand Final BOG: 2006
Div 1 Team of the Year: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Claims family bragging rights over brother Danny thanks to a sixth premiership when he helped Lower Plenty claim the 2008 Division 2 crown. Regarded as the era’s best swingman, Nolan could turn matches at either end of the ground. Named NFL full-back of the year from 2007-09 before moving forward and kicking a bag of 12 against North Heidelberg in 2011 and 49 in 12 games in 2012.
4. GARY MOORCROFT (Bundoora/ South Morang)
Premierships: 2011, 2013, 2017
NFL leading goalkicker: 2012, 2016
Club leading goalkicker: 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023
Div 1 Team of the Year: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017
Div 2 Team of the Year: 2023
Stiff to be No.4 in this countdown because he’s been such a wonderful servant of Bundoora, the Northern Football League and lastly, South Morang. Arrived at Yulong Reserve in 2011 and helped the Bulls break their grand final hoodoo after seven defeats dating back to 1997. Moorcroft then played key roles in the 2013 and 2017 flags, kicking the winner against Macleod in the latter. “Retired” in 2019 at 43 with 578 goals before returning in 2023 with the Lions. The crafty forward bagged 44 goals in 14 matches to earn one final Team of the Year guernsey. Currently has 622 senior goals in the NFNL.
3. BLAIR HARVEY (Heidelberg/ North Heidelberg)
Premierships: 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2017 (D2)
Club B&F: 2001, 2006
Grand final BOG: 2008
Div 1 Team of the Year: 2007, 2008, 2013
One of the great leaders of the past 20 years. Harvey played in 12 grand finals and nine straight between 2004 and 2012. After a decorated career with Heidelberg, he would cross the road to team up with cousins Brent and Shane to guide North Heidelberg back to the top flight in 2017. Enjoyed coaching success as well when he guided Whittlesea to a Division 2 flag in his first season in charge in 2019.
2. MATTHEW DENNIS (Bundoora)
Premierships: 2011, 2013, 2017
Rosbrook Medal: 2012, 2016, 2017
Club B&F: 2012, 2016, 2017
Grand Final BOG: 2017
Div 1 Team of the Year: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019
Has there been a more dominant big man in the competition in the past 20 years? It would be hard to argue otherwise. The second man in league history to win three league best-and-fairests and featured in the Division 1 Team of the Year seven times in his nine years with Bundoora. Collected just about every bit of silverware available in 2017 in what must be one of the great individual seasons. Departed Yulong Reserve for a stint in Tasmania, spent two years at East Keilor and is currently running around at Pascoe Vale.
1. SHANE HARVEY (North Heidelberg/ Kinglake)
Premierships: 2014 (D2), 2017 (D2)
Rosbrook Medal: 2008
Div 1 leading goalkicker: 2008, 2009, 2018
Div 2 leading goalkicker: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017
Club B&F: 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015
Club leading goalkicker: 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021
Grand Final BOG: 2014
Div 2 Coaches’ MVP: 2013, 2014
Div 1 Team of the Year: 2008, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2018, 2019
Div 2 Team of the Year: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017
Nigh unstoppable for more than a decade and claims top spot in our countdown after making history in 2021 when he kicked his 1000th goal for the Bulldogs – the first player in DVFL/NFL history to reach the mark. Harvey did it in style with a bag of eight against Hurstbridge. In his first season at Shelley Reserve, claimed the rare Rosbrook Medal, league-leading goalkicker award when he bagged 108 goals. Was named in a team of the year in 11 of his 12 seasons at Shelley Reserve before spending a couple of seasons at Kinglake, finishing second in the club medal in 2024. As of publishing has 1073 goals in the NFNL.
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