See who makes the cut in our top 30 players in NFNL Division 2 in 2023
From top to bottom, the Northern league’s Division 2 competition is littered with outstanding players. Check out our top 30 guns of 2023.
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There’s just one game remaining in the NFNL Division 2 season.
Eltham and Diamond Creek – the clear standouts in the competition – will battle for the premiership and promotion to Division 1 in 2024.
But first we consider who have been the best players in the competition this year.
There’s been some outstanding performances from top to bottom.
It’s meant some serious talent has been forced out with the likes of Daniel Owen, Riley Livingstone, Nick Dean, Alex Boyse and Dale Marshall missing out.
Check out the list below and have your say.
1. Josh D’Intinosante (South Morang)
Started the season like a house on fire and finished in the same fashion. The VFL-listed young gun returned to South Morang this season and lit up the competition with a series of performances. Made 14 appearances and kicked 45 goals, including bags of six and seven in two mesmerising finals.
2. Jesse Donaldson (Eltham)
Was one of the boom recruits of the off-season and has more than proved his worth at Eltham with an outstanding campaign. Not only a prolific ball-winner but provides the Panthers some much-needed experience and leadership through the midfield. Was sitting third in Division 2 Coaches’ MVP voting before it went behind closed doors.
3. Jacob Booth (Diamond Creek)
After just one game for the Creekers last season, Booth has been on fire this year. The star midfielder played four VFL games for Collingwood, allowing him to be a major factor in Diamond Creek’s rise to minor premier and path to Saturday’s grand final. Has booted 28 goals in 14 appearances and was running second in the MVP voting before it went behind closed doors.
4. Tyrone Leonardis (Thomastown)
Another outstanding season for the reliable Bear. Whether its off half-back or through the midfield, Leonardis has been a mainstay of Thomastown’s line-up since joining in 2021. Figured in the club’s best a league-leading 13 times – joint with teammate Daniel Caruso – and was leading the competition’s MVP voting after Round 14.
5. James Lucente (Watsonia)
The Division 2 leading goalkicker had a breakout season, finishing with 59 goals in the home-and-away season. Booted another two in the Saints elimination final loss to break the 60-goal mark. Had day out against Epping in Round 5, booting 10 goals, kicked another six against South Morang and Lower Plenty and five against Panton Hill.
6. Josh Boulton (Watsonia)
One of the competition’s premier defenders but seems to fly under the radar. That’s certainly not the case in-house at Binnak Park with the vice-captain earning 12 mentions in the best in his 16 appearances. Hasn’t yet been recognised with Team of the Year selection but that could change this season.
7. Tom Keys (Panton Hill)
A league best-and-fairest, premiership player and four-time Team of the Year gun at Lower Plenty, Keys brought his talents to Panton Hill in 2023 and continued to excel. Capable of dominating a game in either midfield or attack, Keys finished the season with 16 goals in 17 games and seven mentions in the best. Was among the Coaches’ MVP leaders when voting went behind closed doors.
8. Nick Barro (Diamond Creek)
Will be interesting to see who wins the battle to be named No.1 ruck in the Division 2 Team of the Year but we’re giving the edge to Barro over Eltham’s Tom Goodwin. The Creekers big man has enjoyed arguably his best season with his consistent play a major factor in Diamond Creek’s outstanding campaign.
9. Tom Goodwin (Eltham)
Has made an instant impact for the Panthers this season after arriving from Corowa-Rutherglen. The big man has given his midfielders first use more often than not and also been able to push forward and hit the scoreboard – kicking 12 goals. Will be a ding-dong battle with Nick Barro for a spot in the Team of the Year, not to mention in Saturday’s grand final.
10. Jeremiah Antypas (St Mary’s)
One might think he’s on this list just because he comments on Local Footy’s Facebook page a lot. In all seriousness, Antypas has been one of the recruits of the year having come across from Marcellin. The dangerous forward booted 43 goals in the home-and-away season, good enough for a podium finish, third, in the competition. Kicked a season-high seven against Lower Plenty and six against Watsonia.
11. Billy Bedford (Diamond Creek)
One of the best defenders in Division 1 at Greensborough, Bedford was outstanding stepping back to Division 2. Helped marshall the competition’s best defence with his ability to stop his direct opponent but also intercept and kick-start the Creekers’ attack. Looks good for a Team of the Year spot.
12. Lawrence Lopiccolo (Thomastown)
Enjoyed a breakout season in 2022, rewarded with Team of the Year honours, and carried that form through 2023. Was among the leading vote-getters in the Coaches’ MVP before it went behind closed doors and wouldn’t surprise if he was picked in the competition’s best 22 again. Still only 22 and might be attracting interest from higher level clubs.
13. Tyler Barnes (Diamond Creek)
An outstanding season from the Creekers star, playing all 20 games so far, earning 10 mentions in the best and kicking 25 goals. His numbers highlight his ability to impact the game in the middle and push forward to hit the scoreboard, making him one of the hardest match-ups in the competition.
14. Gary Moorcroft (South Morang)
The legendary goalkicker “retired” in 2019 but has never really hung up the boots and joined South Morang this season along with son Beau. He still had enough in the 47-year-old legs to kick 44 goals in the home-and-away season – finishing second. Suffered a foot injury in Round 1 but returned with a bang five weeks later to boot seven majors against Watsonia, snared 10 against Lower Plenty and another five against Northcote Park.
15. Jordan Sacco (Lower Plenty)
The Bears skipper was a shining light in a difficult season. Sacco remained a power in midfield, often fighting against the tide as rival clubs racked up big scores. Was rewarded for his efforts with the club best-and-fairest and has already re-committed for 2024 in a positive sign for Lower.
16. Daniel Tallariti (Northcote Park)
One of the best full-backs in the competition. Leading goalkicker James Lucente rated Tallariti as one of his toughest opponents this season, as evidenced by his three goals in two games. The Cougars defender was one of four players to play every game for the club this season and arguably its most reliable.
17. Brenton Keating (Diamond Creek)
Along with Billy Bedford, arrived in the off-season to strength the Creekers backline and has done wonders. Played all 20 games alongside Bedford, Joel Empey and Joel Randall to help the club concede the fewest points in the entire league this season. Has plenty of experience at Preston City Oval and his leadership will be critical on the big stage come Saturday.
18. Lachie Potter (South Morang)
Was a back-to-back Team of the Year player at Watsonia before returning to his junior club this season and would be a good chance to make it three in a row after an eye-catching season. A key factor in the Lions stunning season stepping up from Division 3, finishing fourth and winning a final before bowing out in the semis.
19. Jason McCormick (Eltham)
The Panthers small forward’s superb early-season form was recognised with a VFL debut for North Melbourne in Round 12 and he finished with four matches, including the Kangaroos’ wildcard round loss. In 14 home-and-away games for Eltham he finished with 35 majors and proved the match-winner in the major semi-final with five goals to steer his club straight into the grand final. Kicked a season-high six against Watsonia.
20. Mitch Kalpakis (South Morang)
A two-time Team of the Year defender in Division 3, can he make it three in a row stepping up to Division 2? Kalpakis, still only 23, made the transition to the higher level seamlessly this season playing all 19 games.
21. Jordan Hollow (Epping)
Returned to Epping after a year off and has been a leading light in a difficult season for the Pingers. With Epping dropping back to Division 3, the young gun could be getting interest from rival clubs but the Pingers will be hoping dad, and new coach, Brad will be able to convince him to stay and lift the club back up.
22. Kobe van Zwienen (Watsonia)
The 22-year-old is a rising star of the competition and took his game to a new level this season, playing all 19 games. Earnt eight mentions in the best in the process. Part of a strong young core at Binnak Park that has the Saints on an upward trajectory.
23. Matt Perry (Northcote Park)
Took over the Cougars captaincy this season and showed all his class in a standout campaign. Wasn’t able to help the club make finals back in Division 2 but was one of the most consistent midfielders in the competition.
24. Patrick Flynn (Lower Plenty)
The veteran big man returned to Montmorency Park to help his former club and produced a cracking season. Was among the Bears’ best almost every week as he battled younger and more agile ruckmen but more than help his own. Finished second in the club best-and-fairest.
25. Huon Macgibbon (St Mary’s)
Had played key back for much of his career but was thrown into the No.1 ruck role this season and blossomed. One of just four Burras to play all 21 games this season and earned 10 mentions in the best in a breakout campaign.
26. Declan Ayres (Eltham)
A product of the Panthers vaunted junior system, Ayres has enjoyed a breakout season, becoming one of the competition’s best defenders. Not only capable of stopping his man but also strong in the air, taking intercept marks to put Eltham back on the attack.
27. Tane Cotter (St Mary’s)
Dangerous anywhere on the group, the young Burra can run through the midfield and hit the scoreboard. Bounced back strongly after just the 11 games last season, playing 20 of 21 matches, kicking 26 goals and earning a mention in the best eight times.
28. Daniel Caruso (Thomastown)
Played all 18 games and, together with teammate Tyrone Leonardis, led the competition with 13 mentions in the best – including best-on-ground performances against Panton Hill and Northcote Park. Highly consistent and reliable in whatever position required.
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29. Nick Parks (Panton Hill)
The Redbacks No.1 big man and probably coach Simon Amore’s first name on the magnet board most weeks. Highlighted by the fact he earnt a club-high 12 mentions in the best in 16 appearances and was ranked one or two in seven.
30. Leigh Judd (Epping)
The evergreen Pingers captain continues to be a model of consistency in a struggling side. Judd leads from the front and played all 18 games this season, earning a mention in the best a staggering 12 times.
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