We rank the top 30 players in NFNL Division 3
The NFNL Division 3 season was epic and our top-30 players of 2024 is stacked with elite talent, with several more squeezed out. Who will win the league best-and-fairest?
Northern
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The NFNL Division 3 season was epic.
A super season saw the top-five come down to the last weekend of the home-and-away season.
Then a titanic struggle during the finals will see Fitzroy Stars and Old Paradians battle for the premiership.
The Raiders, and Ivanhoe’s, inclusion in the competition has been superb.
The Stars have gone from three wins to a history-making minor premiership, while Lalor and Reservoir have been far more competitive.
Such is the quality of the top-30 this season big names including Andy Otten and Wayne Schultz (Ivanhoe), Tyson Pickett (Fitzroy Stars), Shane Harvey (Kinglake), Matt Bawden (Mernda) and Adrian Alfonsi (Epping) have been squeezed out.
Check out the full list below.
30. Ethan Derrick (Kilmore)
The young forward continues to impress. After a breakout 2023 saw him kick 27 goals last year he played all 16 games and upped his output to 37 majors – ranked fifth in the competition. Kicked a season-high seven against Heidelberg West and bagged six against Reservoir. Was held goalless just three times.
29. Daniel Rakhlin (Epping)
The Epping young gun burst onto the scene with 26 goals last season and upped his game again in 2024. Played all 16 home-and-away games and kicked 35 goals and finished with season with a healthy 41 after five majors in two finals. Was consistent if not spectacular with a season-best of four goals in four matches, while going goalless only twice.
28. Beaudie Maroney (Old Eltham Collegians)
Crossed from Division 1 outfit West Preston-Lakeside in the off-season and showed that top-flight class. Polled strongly in the Coaches’ MVP voting and was named in the Turtles’ best seven times in seven outings. Gave Collegians great drive off half-back, adding the run and carry to the intercept marking of Time Ellis and Daniel Hallett.
27. Lachie Kerr (Old Paradians)
Was super in his first full season of senior football, leading Old Paradians’ attack with 37 goals. Despite missing the first two weeks of the season he still managed to rank fifth in the competition. Kicked a season-best five against Kinglake and went goalless for the first time in Saturday’s preliminary final win. Kicked one in the qualifying final, missed the semi-final loss to Fitzroy but will have a chance to add to his tally in the grand final.
26. Jordan Wilkins (Epping)
Produced an eye-catching campaign off half-back, impressing with his run-and-carry and delivery into attack. The Pingers found themselves a gem this season as Wilkins averaged 26 disposals a game (according to Epping’s social media). Was in the club’s best in eight of 18 matches and earned a perfect 10 Coaches’ MVP votes in the Round 3 win over Kinglake.
25. Hayden Hunt (Lalor)
Crossed to Lalor looking for a senior opportunity and took it with both hands. The tough midfielder was outstanding on a weekly basis, despite the Bloods struggles. Played every game and his influence is reflected in a staggering 13 mentions in the best, second most in the competition.
24. Damian Pywell (Kinglake)
A strong chance to make it back-to-back Team of the Year honours after another strong campaign in front of goal. Pywell played all 16 matches and booted 40 goals to finish fourth in the league goalkicking charts. Kicked a season-high eight against Reservoir and bagged five against Old Paradians, while being held goalless just three times.
23. James El Moussali (Reservoir)
An impressive season for the Mustangs forward after kicking 37 goals in 13 appearances to finish fifth in the league goalkicking. Despite the club’s struggles and a lack of supply in several games, El Moussali was goalless only twice and kicked a bag of seven against Lalor and five against Kinglake.
22. Marcel Moran (Ivanhoe)
Hoers coach Wayne Schultz praised Moran for taking his game to another level this season as the club joined the Northern league. The young star is a potential future captain of the club and showed why with a number of impressive performances.
21. Nathan Parkes (Lalor)
The key defender arrived Preston Bullants were he was a key part of the club’s multiple VAFA premiership era. Showed all that class for a Bloods defence that was regularly under the pump with his ability to intercept mark and shutdown his direct opponent. Restricted to 12 games by injury but was in the best in seven of them.
20. Marcus Nolan (Old Paradians)
The Raiders skipper never fails to deliver and he has helped guide his club to a grand final in its first season of Northern league football. Another strong year in midfield but also pushed forward to hit the scoreboard regularly, finishing with 21 goals from his 14 appearances. His consistent impact highlighted by eight mentions in the best.
19. Bryce Kimuliatis (Mernda)
Another prolific year in front of the big sticks for the Mernda spearhead. “Kimo” finished third in the league goalkicking with 41 majors in 15 appearances and added a further two in one final. Will be disappointed he couldn’t take the field in the semi-final or preliminary final as Mernda’s season ended one game short of the grand final. Bagged seven majors against Epping and was held goalless only once, ironically, also against Epping.
18. Michael Italia (Heidelberg West)
Crossed Beverley Road to join the Hawks from Banyule and delivered in spades. Was West’s clear standout this season, evidenced by earning 10 mentions in the best in 16 appearances. Italia also finished with 14 goals. Was best-on-ground in West’s upset win over Old Eltham Collegians.
17. Joel Harris (Mernda)
Produced a breakout season last year to help Mernda reach the grand final and arguably was even better this season. The tough onballer started the year like a house on fire, earning a best in eight of the opening nine matches before fading. Finished with 12 in 19 appearances and, importantly, also showed an ability to hit the scoreboard with 14 goals.
16. Seb Latina (Epping)
One of the Pingers big off-season acquisitions and delivered on expectations. The midfield-forward played all 18 games as Epping made it to the semi-finals and kicked 24 goals, producing his best against the likes of Old Paradians and Mernda. Was in Epping’s best eight times this season.
15. Bailey Robinson (Kinglake)
Shone as one of the competition’s leading midfielders despite Kinglake dropped down the ladder this season. Leads the club superbly and his influence is highlighted by 10 mentions in the best in 15 matches and strong polling in the Coaches’ MVP voting. With 12 goals to his name as well, a Team of the Year contender.
14. Chris Barton (Kilmore)
Barton has lost a few midfield mates over the past two years but has taken on the added burden and continued to produce for the Blues week after week. Despite Kilmore’s struggles this season, expect the star onballer to figure prominently in league best-and-fairest and Coaches’ MVP voting again after winning the MVP in 2021 and earning three straight Team of the Year nods.
13. James Tadd (Epping)
One of only a few players to earn a perfect 10 Coaches’ MVP votes this season and one of even fewer to do it twice. Tadd returned to Epping Reserve this season after a year with Northcote Park and was a bull in midfield, winning plenty of ball and probably laying just as many tackles. His impact highlighted by 10 mentions in the best in 17 appearances.
12. Tim Ellis (Old Eltham Collegians)
Any arguments with best centre half-back in the competition? A two-time Team of the Year selection in the past three years and likely to make it number three this season. Played 17 matches and was in the Turtles best in seven of them, which is probably under-selling his importance to the team.
11. Daniel Jones (Ivanhoe)
A dominant figure in Ivanhoe’s midfield, playing a key role in the club’s successful Northern league debut. Thrived in the contested style of the Northern league and was recognised for his impact with a mention in the best 12 times in 14 matches. Ten of those best came in consecutive matches too, from Round 7 to Round 17.
10. Kain Proctor (Fitzroy Stars)
The son of a gun returned to Sir Doug Nicholls Oval this season from Bundoora and immediately added star-factor to the Stars’ midfield. Has delivered on his ability too, helping guide the club to the grand final – it’s first since 2014. Dominant on the field, playing 16 games, kicking 17 goals and in the best 11 times. Recognised for that form with fourth place in Coaches’ MVP voting before it went behind closed doors.
9. Kyle O’Sullivan (Old Paradians)
A member of Eltham’s Division 2 grand final team in 2022 but dropped back to play only four reserve grade games last year. Crossed to his school old boys and returned to full fitness and form. Missed just one game and was in the best 11 times. His weekly influence recognised by sitting sixth in the Coaches’ MVP voting before it went behind closed doors.
8. Kai Turner (Mernda)
Perhaps no more important player to the Demons’ success. Turner is a wall across half-back intercepting the ball and turning defence into offence in a snap. One of only a handful of players to earn a perfect 10 Coaches’ MVP votes, even rarer to do it twice and a as a defender, dominating in wins over Old Paradians and Epping.
7. Sam Rexhepi (Lalor)
The evergreen spearhead returned to Sydney Crescent this season from Craigieburn and claimed his first league goalkicking title. Despite the Bloods struggles, Rexhepi was an ever-present danger and finished the season with 55 majors – his best return since booting 61 for Yea in 2013. While he kicked six against Reservoir twice, he didn’t just beat up on the struggles but saved his best for the big boys, booting a season-high seven against Fitzroy Stars and a bag of five against Old Paradians.
6. Patrick Farrant (Fitzroy Stars)
Controversial given he finished second in the league goalkicking behind Rexhepi but Farrant kicked 43 goals in just nine games. Then proceeded to win the major semi-final basically off his own boot with an incredible eight goals in a six-point win over Old Paradians. The Stars’ boom off-season recruit slotted a season-high nine against Lalor and had bags of six against Reservoir and Epping and five on Kinglake and Kilmore. Played six VFL games for Collingwood.
5. Josh Mazzarella (Mernda)
After a season with Thomastown, returned to Waterview Reserve this season and took his game to a new level. Dominant in midfield and a key driver in the Demons’ success this season. Missed the last two games of the home-and-away season, which could be costly for him after sitting among the Coaches’ MVP leaders for much of the season. A second Team of the Year nod beckons.
4. Zech Cuppins (Reservoir)
Named captain before he’d played a game for the club, Cuppins delivered a brilliant season in a struggling team. Despite the Mustangs winning just one game, he was sitting third in the Coaches’ MVP voting before it went behind closed doors. Polled nine votes in a loss to Ivanhoe, eight in losses to Lalor and Heidelberg West and a seven in a 111-point loss to Kinglake.
3. Brent Macaffer (Old Eltham Collegians)
The Collingwood premiership star returned to the Northern league this season after two seasons away and reminded everyone of his undoubted class. Recognised for his influence at the Turtles by earning a league-high 14 mentions in the best in 17 appearances but rival coaches were clearly impressed as well. Macaffer sat on top of the Coaches’ MVP voting before it went behind closed doors, a 10-vote performance against Epping taking him 17 clear of Jai Burns in second.
2. Jai Burns (Fitzroy Stars)
Our No.1 player of 2023 takes one step back in 2024. However, that’s not to undersell another superb season for Fitzroy Stars. Burns was prolific as ever in midfield, winning the ball and probably laying just as many tackles to stop opposition clearances. Was sitting second in Coaches’ MVP before it went behind closed doors, an award he finished third in last year. Kicked 18 goals and was named in the best 12 times in 17 matches.
1. Sam Gilmore (Old Paradians)
Back-to-back for Gilmore after also being named No.1 in Division 1 last year. The superstar ruckman has brought all the top-flight class and leadership to Division 3 and been a big part of Paradians march to the grand final in the club’s debut Northern season. The Raiders were 10-3 with him and 4-2 without him this season. Was sitting fifth in Coaches’ MVP voting before it went behind closed doors in Round 14, which was his last game of the home-and-away season. You would think a shoe-in to be ruckman in the Team of the Year.
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