We name 2021’s top 30 players in Northern Football League Division 1
There are stars aplenty in the Northern Football League’s Division 1 but we’ve whittled it down to the top 30 players of the season. Did we get it right?
Northern
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Northern Football League’s Rosbrook Medallist will be crowned on Wednesday night and we’re counting down with each division’s top players of the season.
From more than 50 candidates we’ve had the unenviable task of selecting the top 30 players of the 2021 season.
Such is the depth of talent the likes of Max Dreher (West Preston-Lakeside), John Jorgensen and Luke Collins (Bundoora), Tom Schnerring (Heidelberg), Anthony Daw (North Heidelberg), Ben Beaven (Hurstbridge), Hamish Paynter (Macleod) and Xavier Dimasi (Whittlesea) can consider themselves extremely unlucky.
Meanwhile, the Rosbrook Medal is wide open with Montmorency skipper Jesse Donaldson, reigning best-and-fairest Tom Bell, Tiger Matt Smith and Bundoora pair Sam Lloyd and Hamish Shepheard all strong chances.
30. Chris Clark (Greensborough)
As the Borough’s season teetered during a post-lockdown slump Clark put his club on his back and resurrected the season. Impressed in defeats to Bundoora and Macleod before the tide turned and the Borough finished with three straight wins. The skipper continues to be an icon at War Memorial Reserve.
29. Reed Jepson (Northcote Park)
Stood tall in the face of an avalanche in defence this season as Northcote Park struggled to limit opponents. Jepson was named the Cougars’ best player in the first three games of the season and four of the first six as he bravely held the fort. Will hope for an easier 2022.
28. Shane Harvey (North Heidelberg)
Was used more up the ground this season as coach Jason Heatley tinkered with his line-up but still managed to kick 26 goals – seventh most in the competition. Already a legend of the NFL and North Heidelberg, Harvey’s season-high eight majors against Hurstbridge included his 1000th goal as a Bulldog.
27. Alex Federico (West Preston-Lakeside)
The young midfielder continues to impress seemingly having the ball on a string at times and delivering with pinpoint accuracy. The Roosters’ reigning best-and-fairest winner found to hard to replicate his blistering 2019 form but still remained a key player in West Preston-Lakeside’s minor premiership.
26. Jai Robinson (Montmorency)
There are few more consistent footballers in the NFL than Robinson. Just delivers week-in, week-out. Earned best-on-ground honours on two of Montmorency’s toughest days, losses to West Preston-Lakeside and Heidelberg and a mention in the best a further six times. Will hope to repeat his appearance as Team of the Year back pocket.
25. Nathan Thomas (Bundoora)
A brilliant season by the underrated midfielder. Thomas booted 11 goals in 12 appearances and was named in the Bulls’ best six times, including a pair of best-ons. Was in the Coaches’ MVP top five at the halfway mark of the season, highlighting his influence on the Bulls’ rise up the ladder.
24. Sam Gilmore (Heidelberg)
Such has been Gilmore’s dominance over the journey, good seasons can be under-rated. The Tigers skipper was exceptional in 2021 and will hope to defend his position as No.1 ruck in the Team of the Year. Was named in Heidelberg’s best six times in 12 appearances and hit the scoreboard for nine goals. Will form a deadly tandem with Tom Bellchambers should the former Bombers return in 2022.
23. Ned McKeown (Macleod)
Returned to the Kangas this season after stint with North Albury in the Ovens and Murray and reminded the competition why he is a three-time NFL Division 1 Team of the Year defender. Was named in Macleod’s best six times in 12 appearances and another Team of the Year honour looks likely.
22. Blake Watson (Whittlesea)
The promising young midfielder took giants strides this season. Watson stepped up as a permanent midfielder in 2021 and was named Whittlesea’s best player against heavyweights West Preston-Lakeside and Heidelberg – two of his seven mentions in the best. Getting some attention from VFL clubs ahead of a big 2022 season.
21. Ethan Penrith (West Preston-Lakeside)
Returned to his junior club after a season with Fitzroy Stars in 2019 and impressed with his dash off half-back and on a wing. Penrith is capable of turning defence into attack quicker than almost anyone in the competition. Named in the Roosters’ best six times in 12 outings.
20. Josh Minogue (Heidelberg)
Committed to Heidelberg full-time for 2021 and the Tigers reaped the rewards. Minogue finished the season with 32 goals – fifth most in the competition – with bags of eight and five against Northcote Park and six against Whittlesea. Not just a dangerous forward, he was also used as an intercept-marking defender.
19. Bailey Thompson (Bundoora)
A breakout 2019 campaign secured a VFL contract at Coburg and while he didn’t make his debut, continued to impress at local level. Thompson was named in Bundoora’s best in seven of 12 appearances, showcasing his elite running capacity and fine skills delivering to the likes of Sam Lloyd, John Jorgensen and Jesse King.
18. Nick Riddle (Greensborough)
The general of the Borough backline never ceases to impress. His spot can probably be shared with teammates Michael Croxford, Billy Bedford and Jack Johnson who form arguably the best backline in the competition. Riddle was named in the best five times in nine games and will be hoping to make it six straight Team of the Year appearances.
17. Patrick Fitzgerald (Montmorency)
Confirmed for a 15th season in black and white, Fitzgerald is a modern day great. The Magpies’ spearhead notched 40 goals – second most in the competition – in a shortened year to continue his incredible streak. He’s kicked at least 40 goals in eight straight seasons. Fitzgerald booted four bags of five, including against heavyweights Greensborough and North Heidelberg, and was goalless just once.
16. Patrick Flynn (Macleod)
In the conversation as the best ruckman in NFL Division 1 and rewarded Macleod was an excellent debut season. Flynn was named in the Kangas’ best six times in 12 matches, including best-afield performances in big wins over Greensborough, North Heidelberg and Montmorency.
15. Tom Brindley (Greensborough)
Would have been top three at the half-way mark of the season before dropping off in an interrupted season half of the campaign. Led the Coaches’ MVP voting after seven rounds playing forward, back, midfield and even pinch-hitting in the ruck. Sure to be on several VFL clubs’ radars for 2022.
14. Michael Ercolano (West Preston-Lakeside)
Arguably the midfielder’s best season in red, white and blue. Ercolano was among the Roosters’ best six times in 12 games, including a pair of best-on-ground performances against Montmorency and Whittlesea in rounds 11 and 12 that could launch him into Rosbrook Medal contention.
13. Charles Le Fanu (North Heidelberg)
One of the recruits of the season having crossed from Northcote Park. Le Fanu impressed rebounding out of defence but also played a key role in the Dogs’ midfield, which earnt him seven mentions in the best in 10 matches – equal most at the club.
12. Zach Molloy (Whittlesea)
One of the best young defenders in the competition. Copped an eight-goal lesson from Sam Lloyd in Round 3 but responded superbly. Kept Shane Harvey goalless in a shock win over North Heidelberg, held Ahmed Saad to three goals and showed his intercept skills in the win over Montmorency. On the VFL radar for 2022.
11. Sam Binion (Montmorency)
Managed just two VFL games at Coburg this season and took out his frustration on his Division 1 rivals. Binion was named in Montmorency’s best seven times in eight outings and best-on-ground in three. A classy midfielder who win his own ball or deliver on the outside, Binion has committed to the Magpies full-time in 2022 and been named co-captain.
10. Ben McNiece (Northcote Park)
It wasn’t the return McNiece would have hoped for, Northcote Park going winless this season, but he shone none-the-less. The former Essendon defender made an immediate impact, earning eight mentions in the best in his 11 games, including three best afield performances against heavyweights West Preston-Lakeside, Heidleberg and Bundoora.
9. Tom Bell (Greensborough)
The reigning Rosbrook Medal winner was a match-winner in midfield and attack for Greensborough in 2021. Bell booted 16 goals and was named in the best six times in 12 appearances. He looked to be warming up just in time for finals, with arguably his best performance in what would be the final game of the year, slotting four goals against North Heidelberg.
8. Joel Naylor (Hurstbridge)
Arguably the recruit of the year. Hurstbridge plucked Naylor out of RDFL outfit Romsey and he returned a sensational tally of 36 goals – equal third in the competition – with bags of five against Bundoora and North Heidelberg and six against Heidelberg to underline. A Team of the Year spot in his debut season would be just reward.
7. Jackson Clarke (West Preston-Lakeside)
A brick wall across half-back for the Roosters. Short odds to make it three straight Team of the Year nominations after being named in West Preston-Lakeside’s best nine times in 12 matches – equal most in the competition – with best-on-ground performances against Hurstbridge and Macleod.
6. Hamish Shepheard (Bundoora)
After a 12-month wait Bulls fans finally got to see the former Fremantle-listed big man in the flesh and boy did he deliver. Was Bundoora’s best in the season-opening loss to West Preston-Lakeside and named best-on-ground in the stirring win over Greensborough in Round 10. Was fifth in the Coaches’ MVP when it went behind closed doors and is a favourite for No.1 ruck in the Team of the Year.
5. Matt Smith (Heidelberg)
Committed full-time to Heidelberg after spending 2019 with Collingwood’s VFL team and produced a brilliant campaign. A contested ball-winning bull, few teams figured out how to stop Smith around the clearances. Surprisingly, was only named in the Tigers’ best three times in 11 matches but was sitting third in the Coaches MVP votes after Round 10.
4. Sam Lloyd (Bundoora)
The biggest name to join the Northern Football League this season and he didn’t disappoint. The former Richmond and Western Bulldogs forward finished with 36 goals – equal third – but also played a key role in midfield, helping Bundoora jump up the ladder. Would have missed finals had they been played with a serious wrist injury but will be fit and firing for Round 1, 2022.
3. Jesse Donaldson (Montmorency)
The influential skipper was among the Magpies’ best nine times in 12 games – equal most in the competition – and hit the scoreboard with 13 goals. Donaldson was leading the Coaches’ MVP voting when it went behind closed doors after Round 10 and there might be more silverware heading his way on Wednesday night.
2. Ahmed Saad (West Preston-Lakeside)
The most prolific forward in top flight local football in 2021. Saad booted 54 goals – in only 10 games – the most by any player in the top division of the seven metropolitan competitions. A staggering achievement. Bagged a season-high 11 in the last-start win over Hurstbridge, hauls of seven and six against Northcote Park, six against Macleod and five against Whittlesea and Bundoora to claim a second straight league goalkicking award.
DIV 2: THE NFL DIVISION 2 TOP 25 PLAYED REVEALED
LEADER: GET YOUR NORTHERN FOOTY NEWS HERE
DIV 3: THE NFL DIVISION 3 TOP 25 PLAYERS OF 2021
1. Jesse Tardio (North Heidelberg)
A barnstorming season by the Bulldogs’ star midfielder. Had the ball on a string most matches and bookended his campaign with best-on-ground displays against Macleod in Round 1 and Montmorency in Round 12. Was fourth in the Coaches’ MVP voting when it went behind closed doors after Round 10. However, a two-match ban in the loss to the Magpies ended his hopes of winning the Rosbrook Medal.
In-demand draft hopeful makes final call on local club
Ajang Kuol mun had clubs in Geelong circling him. Now the rising ruckman — who was on the draft radar last year — has signed with a local side.
Recruit tracker: ex-AFL talents join Northern league
OFF-SEASON CENTRAL: It’s a new year and the new local footy season is just around the corner. Check out the latest recruits at every Northern league club here.