We named the Northern Football League’s top 25 players since 2000
There’s been a change at the top of our Northern Football League best players since 2000 and a major mistake corrected. Check out the full list here.
Northern
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern. Followed categories will be added to My News.
As the Northern Football League celebrates its 100th year, we’re looking back on some of the modern greats.
What better time to reconsider our list originally published in 2020 and there’s been a change at the top.
There’s only been a handful of games, how can there been a new No.1 you ask?
A major milestone has changed the landscape and helped one player stand out from his peers.
The list has also expanded to 25 players and corrected a major mistake.
A premiership great of Northcote Park was left out but after much feedback we’ve listened and acted accordingly.
Check out the full list below.
25. JAMES KROUSSORATIS (Eltham/ Banyule)
Premierships: 2017 (D3)
Div 1 leading goalkicker: 2015
Div 2 leading goalkicker: 2018
Div 3 leading goalkicker: 2017
Club leading goalkicker: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018
Club B&F: 2018
Div 1 Team of the Year: 2015
Div 2 Team of the Year: 2018
Div 3 Team of the Year: 2017
There might be more famous names but Kroussoratis holds a piece of NFL history as the only man to win a league goalkicking medal in all three divisions. Made his senior debut for Eltham in 2013 and won the club goalkicking award with 29 majors. Would top the league with 65 majors in 2015 before heading north to Shepparton. Returned in 2017 to help Banyule win the Division 3 premiership, winning the league goalkicking and backed it up in 2018 by winning the Division 2 award. Booted 320 goals in 96 matches for the Panthers and Bears.
24. JESSE DONALDSON (Diamond Creek/ Montmorency)
Club B&F: 2019
Div 1 Coaches’ MVP: 2014
Div 1 Team of the Year: 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021
The resume belies 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 of Montmorency’s search for a premiership. Has played 125 games for the Magpies.
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. MATTHEW VASILEVSKI (Mernda/ 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 and 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 NFL’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.
21. 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.
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 and Rosbrook Medal double. Joined Hurstbridge in 2019 but stepped away from football mid-2021 due to concussion issues.
19. DARCY BARDEN (Lower Plenty)
Premierships: 2011 (D2), 2017 (D2)
Div 2 league B&F: 2011
Club B&F: 2013, 2014
Grand final BOG: 2011
Div 1 Team of the Year: 2013, 2014
Div 2 Team of the Year: 2011, 2017, 2018, 2021
The commanding centre half-forward 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 Division 2 league medal. After a one-year stint in the WAFL, Barden returned to his home club in 2013 leading it through relegation in 2016 to a bounce back Division 2 flag in 2017. Continues to be a standout performer and was named in the Division 2 Team of the Year in 2021.
18. 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 NFL great as one of the best players in the competition for nearly a decade. Continues to dedicate himself to the Stars, taking over as senior coach in 2021 after hanging up the boots.
17. 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 the past four years, Saad has made a lasting impact. The goalkicking wizard has been a key foundation in the Roosters back-to-back premierships and 2021 minor premiership. In those four seasons he’s kicked 285 majors, claiming three league goalkicking crowns and been named in the Team of the Year every season.
16. PATRICK FITZGERALD (Montmorency)
Div 1 leading goalkicker: 2014
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
A dominant presence in the Magpies’ forward line, Fitzpatrick has well over 500 goals on his resume. NFL records are fuzzy on the competition’s greatest goalkickers but there is little doubt the big man would be high on the list after arriving on the scene in 2008. Has been in the league’s top five forwards for nine straight years. Continues to excel in the top flight and tops the Division 1 goalkicking charts this season.
15. BRAYDEN SHAW (Bundoora/ Hurstbridge)
Premierships: 2011, 2013, 2016 (D2)
Grand Finals 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 NFL’s top flight with another grand final masterclass before a devastating concussion brought a sudden end to his playing career.
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. 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 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
An error corrected. Was overlooked in our original list published in 2020 but his footballing resume more than belongs on this list. A key part of Northcote Park’s premiership four-peat and one of the dominant ruckmen of the 2000s. 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
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 in the top flight, polling strongly in the Coaches MVP this season.
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. 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.
8. 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 in 2021.
7. NICK RIDDLE (Greensborough)
Premierships: 2014
Div 1 Team of the Year: 2011, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021
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 since 2015. Two community championships inter-league medals add further shine to his resume.
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. Looking to coach the Tigers to a premiership this season.
5. DALE NOLAN (Heidelberg)
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)
Premierships: 2011, 2013, 2017
NFL leading goalkicker: 2012, 2016
Club leading goalkicker: 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Div 1 Team of the Year: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017
Stiff to be No. 4 in his countdown because he’s been such a wonderful servant of Bundoora and the Northern Football League. Arrived in 2011 and helped the Bulls break its grand final hoodoo after seven defeats dating back to 1997. Moorcroft then played key roles on the 2013 and 2017 flags, kicking the winner against Macleod in the latter. Retired in 2019 at 43 with close to 600 goals before a short return in 2021, kicking 24 goals in four reserve grade games.
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 has 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.
1. SHANE HARVEY (North Heidelberg)
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. Achieved a rare feat by winning the Rosbrook Medal in his first season in the competition when he kicked 108 goals. Harvey was named in a team of the year in 11 of his 12 seasons at Shelley Reserve.
Family draws Spicer to Stars
A family connection helped Fitzroy Stars land ex-AFL forward Phoenix Spicer and coach Neville Jetta believes it can have a longer-lasting impact.
The local footy teams to keep an eye on in 2025
From clubs with massive off-season recruiting drives to those who need to live up to the pressure, these are the local footy teams you need to keep an eye on in 2025.