Who are Leader Local Footy’s top 25 players in NFNL Division 3 in 2023?
Ahead of the NFNL Division 3 grand final we name the competition’s top 25 players of the season. Check out who makes the cut.
Northern
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The NFNL Division 3 season comes to a close on Saturday.
Laurimar and Mernda will battle for the premiership and promotion to Division 2 in 2024.
But first we consider who have been the best players in the competition this year.
There’s been some outstanding performances from all the nine clubs, most notably from season powers Mernda, Laurimar and Kinglake.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t fit everyone with the likes of Joel Harris, Nick Milne, Nathan Andrews, Louis Hill and Ethan Derrick just missing out.
Check out the list below and have your say.
1. Jai Burns (Fitzroy Stars)
A sterling season for Burns, stepping back from Division 1 to try and help the Stars. While the Stars failed to even challenge for finals, Burns was a shining light in midfield and was a clear class above. When Division 3 MVP voting went behind closed doors after Round 14, the star midfield was top of the pops. Averaged a goal of game, finishing with 16, third most at the club.
2. Luke Wilson (Laurimar)
After finishing second last season and with another super season under his belt, does the Power co-captain head into the league best-and-fairest count as a warm favourite? The coaches certainly seemed to like his performances as he was joint first when MVP voting went behind closed doors. Played all 17 games this season and earned a mention in the best 10 times.
3. Billy Morrison (Mernda)
In line to claim the No. 1 ruck role in the Division 3 Team of the Year after a brilliant campaign. Morrison’s arrival is certainly a major factor in Mernda’s rise to grand finalist this season with his leadership and skill in the middle and around the ground. Played every game and was running fourth in the Coaches’ MVP voting when it went behind closed doors. A league best-and-fairest contender.
4. Daniel Kelly (Heidelberg West)
After a strong season in Division 2 in 2022, Kelly stepped back to Division 3 with ease this season and played a leading role in Heidelberg West’s campaign. Only missed one game and earnt a mention in the best in 11 of his 15 appearances. Also drew recognition from opposition coaches as he was among the leading Coaches MVP vote-getters before it went behind closed doors.
5. Seb Francis-Perkins (Old Eltham Collegians)
The Turtles No. 1 midfielder and still just 18 years old. Lightly built but has no fear at the bottom of the pack. Was running third in the Division 3 Coaches’ MVP voting when it went behind closed doors, which augurs well for a strong showing on league medal night too. Earnt nine mentions in the best in his 17 appearances and also hit the scoreboard with 10 majors.
6. Bailey Robinson (Kinglake)
The Lakers skipper led from the front in the club’s return to the Northern league. Was prolific in midfield and averaged a goal a game, highlighting his ability to impact the scoreboard. Earnt 11 mentions in the best from 16 appearances, underlining his importance to Kinglake’s cause. A good chance to win back-to-back club best-and-fairest and could feature prominent on league medal night.
7. Matt Williamson (Old Eltham Collegians)
While the Turtles season finished one game earlier than they would have liked, Williamson has a consolation prize as the league’s leading goalkicker. In his first season in Division 3, the big man finished with 63 majors in the home-and-away season. Kicked a season-high 11 in Round 2 against Lalor and had bags of seven against Reservoir and the Bloods again. Kicked at least four goals in 11 matches.
8. Lachie Evans (Heidelberg West)
The Hawks big man is certainly exciting to watch. Loves nothing more than taking the ball out of the ruck or winning the clearance and putting his team on the attack with a long kick forward. Obviously well respected at Heidelberg Park, Evans attracted plenty of attention from opposition coaches this season too and was among the leading Coaches’ MVP vote-getters before it went behind closed doors.
9. Chris Barton (Kilmore)
Already a star of the competition, the Blues needed Barton to step up again in the absence of Chris Ryall and he duly delivered. Was a standout in midfield in a difficult season for Kilmore and is surely in the running for a third straight Team of the Year guernsey. Was named in the best in nine of the first 10 games of the year.
10. Tim Ellis (Old Eltham Collegians)
Arguably the best defender in the competition and in line to re-take his place in the Division 3 Team of the Year. Old Eltham conceded the fewest points against this season and that was largely down to Ellis and his intercept-marking ability. The likes of Bryce Kimuliatis kicked just two goals in three games and Leigh Gilbert was held to one major in the elimination final.
11. Leigh Gilbert (Kinglake)
Started the season with six goals against Reservoir and another half-dozen a fortnight later against Lalor. Deployed predominantly through midfield, Gilbert made a permanent move forward when Josh Nixon ruptured his Achilles. He made a splash with 15 goals against Lalor in 13 and backed it up with bags of five and six in the following two weeks. Finished the season as runner-up in the goalkicking award with 43.
12. Nathan Baccega (Mernda)
The young gun has been a big factor in Mernda’s rise this season, making an impact across the ground. Baccega is one of only four Demons to play all 18 games this season and has been recognised with six mentions in the best, including a best-on-ground performance in the qualifying final loss to Laurimar.
13. Bryce Kimuliatis (Mernda)
The Demons spearhead finished with home-and-away season with 38 majors, backing up his 2022 tally of 45. Hard to stop when in full flight and on the end of Mernda’s quick ball movement. Only went goalless twice this season and bagged a high of 15 against Lalor in Round 8. While he provides a focal point up front, he also frees up his teammates to hit the scoreboard.
14. Rob Holland (Reservoir)
Fights the up-hill battle in midfield for the Mustangs. Racks up plenty of the pill but just needs some support around him. His performances were recognised with Team of the Year selection last season and there’s no reason why he wouldn’t be in the running again this season. Named in the best 10 times in 15 appearances.
15. Riley Vincent (Mernda)
The Demons full-back took a number of trophies this season, keeping the likes of Matt Williamson, Jacson Cecil and Nick Milne quiet. Capable of shutting down his direct opponent and taking intercept marks to quickly put Mernda back on the attack. Should be in line for a maiden Team of the Year nod given his season.
16. Aiden Clarke (Laurimar)
The experienced big man came across from Division 1 Hurstbridge this season and has made a big difference in the Power’s midfield. Has combined well with Josh Leather as a ruck tandem and allowed Ethan Bateman to slide back into a key defensive post. Clarke might not get the No. 1 ruck role but could certainly push for a bench spot in the Team of the Year such as been his form.
17. Noah Mooney (Laurimar)
The 18-year-old is one of the young guns of the competition to watch in the coming years. After 14 games and eight goals last season Mooney has played every game this year, earned a mention in the best seven times and booted 25 majors in the home-and-away campaign. Produced a match-winning four-goal performance in the Division 3 qualifying final to secure the Power a grand final berth.
18. Tom Clarke (Kinglake)
Having made his senior debut in 2021, the Lakers big man now shoulders a huge load in the ruck. Had some terrific battles this season against some of the competition’s best, including Billy Morrison, Aiden Clarke and was rewarded with best-on-ground honours in clashes against heavyweights Mernda and Laurimar. Finished with eight mentions in the best from his 17 appearances.
19. Dayne Kellett (Mernda)
After eight games last season, the 22-year-old has enjoyed a breakout campaign at half-back, playing all but one game. His form has been duly recognised with eight mentions in the best from his 17 appearances. Capable of playing tall or short, his versatility makes him an invaluable part of Rob Fletcher’s plans.
20. Alex Hywood (Heidelberg West)
After finishing second in the league goalkicking award last season with 57 majors and earning Team of the Year honours, Hywood backed it up with another 41 goals to finish third this season. Another Team of the Year spot looms large. Only went goalless once this season and that was in Round 17.
21. Ethan Bateman (Laurimar)
The young big man burst onto the scene as a ruckman last season but with the addition of Aiden Clarke has settled into a key defensive post. Capable of taking intercept marks but also agile enough to run-and-carry and put the Power back on the attack. His versatility has seen him moved forward throughout the season as well, kicking eight goals.
22. Ben White (Kinglake)
An attacking force off half-back for the Lakers. White’s run-and-carry can be quite damaging but he’s also disciplined in defence. Earnt seven mentions in the best in his 16 appearances – including best-on-ground honours in the season-opening win over Reservoir but also impressed against heavyweights Laurimar, Mernda and Old Eltham.
23. Scott Dickson (Lalor)
One of only three players to play all 16 games for Lalor this season and was the Bloods’ leading player with seven mentions in the best. Dickson arrived at Lalor Reserve this season after a year off but showed his class with a number of impressive performances. Lalor will be hoping he sticks around to form a core of senior players under new coach Lance Whitnall.
24. Joel Lawson (Laurimar)
Burst onto the scene last season with 31 goals in 17 appearances, finishing ninth in the competition goalkicking award, and has carried on this year. Lawson, 19, has 25 majors in 15 appearances and seven mentions in the best in 2023 and his work-rate and creativity in the Power forwardline makes him extremely dangerous.
25. Tyson Pickett (Fitzroy Stars)
A strong first season at Sir Doug Nicholls Oval saw Pickett boot a club-high 32 goals – good enough for seventh overall. Only went goalless three times and had a least one major in the last seven matches. Also earned a mention in the best eight times in his 16 games, underlining his importance to the Stars.
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