We rank the top 30 players in NFNL Division 2
As a terrific NFNL Division 2 season comes to a close, we’re celebrating the competition’s best talents in 2024. See who made the cut.
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A terrific NFNL Division 2 season comes to a close on Saturday.
While the season’s best will be properly feted next week at the Rosbrook Medal night, we’re celebrating our picks for the competition’s biggest guns.
In a season dominated by the top-three, it’s not surprise to see Whittlesea, Diamond Creek and South Morang all have four players picks.
And given the level of talent running around, there were plenty more stars miss out.
The likes of Josh D’Intinosante, Deacon Kalpakis (both South Morang), Riley Livingstone, Nick Parks (both Panton Hill), Nathan Searl (Diamond Creek), Harry Sinclair (Watsonia) and Clancy Bland (Whittlesea) can consider themselves unlucky for various reasons.
Check out our top 30 talents of 2024 below.
30. Jeremiah Antypas (St Mary’s)
One of only three Burras to play all 18 games this season, following on from an impressive 2023 that saw him earn Team of the Year honours. After 47 majors last year, managed another 32 this season from 18 appearances, kicking four goals three times. His influence extended more than goals through, named in the best seven times.
29. Oliver Parks (Panton Hill)
Unfair on Nick that Sam and Oli make the top-30 and he misses out given the equality of contribution the brothers made this season. However, Oli’s club best-and-fairest win pips his brother. One of the competition’s top big men but also capable of influencing games sitting behind the ball or pushing forward. Played all 18 games and finished with 14 goals. Named in the best nine times.
28. Matt Perry (Northcote Park)
After a quiet start to the season Perry got back to full fitness mid-season and was a major factor in the Cougars’ second-half turnaround. Polled an incredible 36 votes between rounds 10 and 14, including a perfect 10 in the win over Panton Hill. Finished the season with 14 matches, named in the best eight times, and early season niggles forced him to play forward, seeing him kick 21 goals.
27. Lawrence Lopiccolo (Thomastown)
Team of the Year in 2022, unlucky to miss out in 2023 and will again be around the mark this season as one of the competition’s many gun midfielders. Played 16 games and was in the Bears’ best in 10 of them this season. Has been super consistent in the past three seasons, playing 53 of 56 matches and in the best 30 times. Only one goal this season the only negative.
26. Jacob Thompson (Northcote Park)
A terrific season for the veteran forward, leading the Cougars attack. Only made his season debut in Round 5, kicking four goals against Watsonia, and finished the campaign with 37 goals in just 13 appearances. Bagged a season-high five goals against St Mary’s and Watsonia the second time and was held goalless just once.
25. Luke Wilson (Laurimar)
The Power captain was ever dependable this season, doing everything in his power to keep the club in Division 2. Played all 18 games and was in the best in 10 of them, earning him a third place in the club best-and-fairest. Returns to Division 3 hoping to repeat his Coaches’ MVP-winning season and help Laurimar bounce back up in 2025.
24. Jasper Collins (Lower Plenty)
The young Bear is the representation of Lower Plenty’s rise. Split his time between seniors and under-19s in 2022, played 12 senior games in 2023 and exploded this season into a bona fide young star. Didn’t miss a game in the home-and-away campaign, kicked 20 goals and was in the best nine times. Added two more bests and a goal in Lower’s two finals. If he and his young teammates continue their improvement, watch out.
23. Nick Barro (Diamond Creek)
Earned Team of the Year honours last year and it wouldn’t surprise to see him make the cut again as one of the premier big men in Division 2. Was one of only two Creekers to earn a perfect 10 Coaches’ MVP votes in the published votes. Played 17 games and was in the best seven times, saving some of his best performances for the big boys; South Morang, Whittlesea and Lower Plenty (twice).
22. Tyrone Leonardis (South Morang)
The reigning Division 2 Coaches’ MVP and the No.4 ranked player last year didn’t have the same influence this season but he probably didn’t need to. A move to South Morang in the off-season reduced the load on his shoulders. Was limited to 14 home-and-away matches and was only in the Lions’ best six times but still more than worthy of a place in the top 30.
21. Josh Boulton (Watsonia)
One of the premier defenders in the competition and had plenty to do this season as Watsonia fell on hard times. The reigning club best-and-fairest was handed the captaincy this season and stepped up on a weekly basis. Didn’t miss a game and was in the Saints’ best in 13 games. At mid-season was among the top-five Coaches’ MVP vote-getters before a back niggle limited his impact. Still a chance to make it back-to-back Team of the Year guernseys.
20. Jaron Murphy (Whittlesea)
Started the season as a forward, with some success too kicking 11 goals in the opening four rounds, before moving back to his customary place on the half-back flank. Continued to have a major influence on the Eagles’ outstanding home-and-away campaign, finishing with 17 games, 16 goals and 8 mentions in the best.
19. Sam Parks (Panton Hill)
Never fails to deliver for his beloved Redbacks. The dynamic midfield and captain was again a standout leader in 2024, playing all 18 games and earning a mention in the best 11 times, the most at the club. Pipped to a third club best-and-fairest award by his brother, Oliver.
18. Joel Lawson (Laurimar)
An outstanding season from the 20-year Power star, winning his first senior club best-and-fairest award. Finished fourth in the league goalkicking with 36 majors in 16 appearances and was among Laurimar’s best nine times. Kicked a season-high six against Thomastown and was held goalless just once, by South Morang the week before funnily enough.
17. Dale Marshall (Diamond Creek)
While Barnes and Booth take the spotlight, Marshall has quietly had an outstanding season. After a string of interrupted seasons, the dynamic midfielder was fully fit and in full flight in 2024. Marshall played 17 home-and-away games and was in the best in eight of them. Polled Coaches’ MVP votes in more games than any of his teammates too.
16. Jordan Sacco (Lower Plenty)
The Lower captain and reigning best-and-fairest winner was arguably even better this season. Sacco was a driving force as the Bears launched back up the Division 2 ladder and back into finals. Played 17 home-and-away games and was in the best in 11 of them, plus both finals.
15. Rory Hanlon (St Mary’s)
Arguably the Burras most consistent player this season, in a year of constant interruption. Hanlon, himself, missed three games but was in the best nine times in those 15 appearances, including the final three of the season as he tried to keep his club in finals. Earned Team of the Year honours last year and is a chance to make it back-to-back nods.
14. James Lucente (Thomastown)
After 61 goals and a league goalkicking medal, the star forward couldn’t make it back-to-back titles, finishing second this season with 42 majors. He Added another two in the Bears elimination final loss. Kicked a season-high six goals against his former club Watsonia and was only help goalless once.
13. Mitch Kalpakis (South Morang)
The rock in the Lions’ defence and one of the best intercept marks in the competition. Played all 18 games and was in the best eight times before playing a key role as South Morang marched into a maiden NFNL Division 2 grand final.
12. Tyler Barnes (Diamond Creek)
Damaging whether running through midfield or staying closer to goals and super consistent to boot. After 21 games and 25 goals last year, Barnes played all 18 home-and-away matches and kicked 18 goals this season. He’s added four goals in three games and been in the best in Diamond Creek’s semi-final and preliminary final wins.
11. Mitch Andrews (Whittlesea)
Another outstanding season for the ever consistent midfielder. A key factor in Whittlesea’s one-loss home-and-away campaign, playing 16 matches and being named in the best in 11 of them. A first Team of the Year selection looms likely.
10. Kobe van Zwienen (South Morang)
Hard to gauge Kobe’s season given he was named in the Lions’ best only five times in 18 home-and-away matches but maybe Gary Hall saw more in the review, and he clearly impressed rival coaches, because he was sitting equal fifth in the Coaches’ MVP voting before it went behind closed doors. Jagged a perfect 10 in the Round 13 win over Laurimar. Had a strong 2023 with Watsonia but was arguably even better this season.
9. Jordan Perry (Northcote Park)
Amazing what an injury-free run can do. Perry has always been class but been held back by his body, playing 10 and nine games in the past two seasons. However, he was back to his best in 2024, playing 17 games, kicking 12 goals and earning a mention in the Cougars’ best 12 times, including the opening five games of the year before missing Round 6. Had been among the top Coaches’ MVP vote-getters for much of the year before falling out of the top-five in Round 14.
8. Ethan Lowe (Watsonia)
Won the league goalkicking title with 57 majors in 18 appearances. A sensational return in his first season at Binnak Park. Kicked a season-high six against South Morang and St Mary’s and bagged five against Northcote Park, Diamond Creek, Laurimar and Thomastown. Only 21 and will only be better after a first full season of senior football.
7. Xavier Dimasi (Whittlesea)
The indomitable Eagles captain produces week-in, week-out. Led his club to an almost perfect home-and-away season, losing just one match. Individually, he played 16 matches and was in the best in 12 of them, highlighting his outstanding influence and impact. Won the league best-and-fairest medal the last time Whittlesea played Division 2 in 2019 and wouldn’t be surprised to see him poll strongly again, although he and Taidhg Bland could steal votes off each other.
6. Jacob Booth (Diamond Creek)
Returned to Coventry Oval full-time this season and showcased all his class. Was restricted to 14 home-and-away matches but still kicked 15 goals and was in the Creekers’ best seven times. Copped plenty of attention from opposition midfielders this season but still won his fair share of the footy and opened up the game for his teammates. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him finish strongly in league medal and Coaches’ MVP voting.
5. Daniel Annetta (Watsonia)
With more midfield opportunity, the 21-year-old took his game to a new level this season. Showcased his burst of speed out of packs and endurance around the ground to win plenty of ball and kicked 14 goals to have an impact when forward. A career-best season saw him play all 18 games and be named in the best in 14 of them. Despite Watsonia’s struggles this season he clearly caught the eye, sitting third in the Coaches’ MVP voting before it went behind closed doors.
4. Patrick Flynn (Lower Plenty)
Flynn was exceptional this season, showing all his class and leadership to guide a young Bears team back to finals and as far as a semi-final. The legendary big man’s influence highlighted by his joint fifth place in the Coaches’ MVP voting at Round 14 – before it went behind closed doors – an award he’s won twice before. Played 16 home-and-away matches and kicked 14 goals, while being named in the best nine times, plus both finals. A fourth Team of the Year guernsey looms large.
3. Taidhg Bland (Whittlesea)
A career-best year for the bullocking midfielder and would be a warm favourite for league and club best-and-fairest honours. Clearly caught the eye of his and opposition coaches – snaring a perfect 10 in the Round 8 win over Diamond Creek – to sit second in the Coaches’ MVP voting before it went behind closed doors. Played all 18 games, kicked 15 goals and was in the Eagles’ best 12 times in a standout campaign.
2. Youseph Dib (Thomastown)
Came with big expectations and delivered in spades. The former Oakleigh Chargers gun is still only 21 but plays an eye-catching game that is sure to have him in league and club best-and-fairest contention. Played all 18 games, kicked 18 goals and was in the Bears’ best 15 times – including the final 14 games of the home-and-away campaign to lift his club into the top-five. Was sitting fourth in the Coaches’ MVP voting before it went behind closed doors.
1. Tye Hall (South Morang)
The 2022 Division 3 premiership player was already a star of the competition but took his game to a new level this season. Won plenty of ball but was able to push forward and hit the scoreboard this season, kicking an equal career-best 22 majors – including a bag of seven against Northcote Park. Was in the Lions’ best 14 times in 17 home-and-away matches, his influence reflected in first place in the Coaches’ MVP voting behind it went behind closed doors with four rounds remaining. Hall led Bland by two votes.
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