Leader Local Footy names the top Riddell District league players since 2000
The Riddell District league has a rich history of producing outstanding footballers and naming the league’s top-25 since 2000 proved a difficult task.
Riddell
Don't miss out on the headlines from Riddell. Followed categories will be added to My News.
There’s been some elite local footy talent run around in the Riddell District league in the past 25 years.
It’s made picking the top-25 players since 2000 an incredibly difficult task.
We’ve prioritised long-term success in the league and it’s meant some incredible players have missed out.
Some spent only short times in the league, such as, Mitch Farmer, Sean Hetherington or Shaun Harrison.
Others are still shaping their legacy and could very well enter the conversation in the coming years, such as Dylan Tarczon or Jack Jedwab.
The likes of Brett Chambers, Simon Choate, Leigh Erwin, Nathan Blair, Matt Robertson and Jake Armistead can consider themselves unlucky.
It must also be noted, the league and club records are patchy at best in the 2000-2010 period.
Thank you to the RDFNL, clubs and long-time stalwarts for assisting with information where possible.
We’ve tried to properly attribute as many accolades to players as possible but if any are missing, please reach out.
As such, the list is fluid – if we get more information the rankings may change.
So without further ado …
25. BEN SONOGAN
Premierships: 2010, 2022, 2024
Team of the Year: 2012, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
A match-winner at either end of the ground with his ability to take big contested marks. Capable of shutting down the opposition’s best defender, while also winning the ball himself. Aside from a few years away at Gisborne, has been a mainstay at Riddell and a key part of three Bombers premierships. His excellence over time highlighted by his first Team of the Year nod in 2012 and now four straight guernseys up to last season.
24. TOM GLEESON (Diggers Rest)
Premierships: 2016, 2018
Club B&F: 2017
McIntyre Medal (GF BOG): 2018
One of the premier key defenders in the league during his time. Played in five losing grand finals before making it sixth time lucky in 2016. Was unlucky not to be named best-on-ground that day. The Burras returned to the big stage in 2018 and Gleeson, this time as captain, earned the McIntyre Medal to guide his team to victory. Supposedly retired but was back in 2021 for one last hurrah, which was unfortunately cut short.
23. JAMIE CUFFE (Romsey, Sunbury Kangaroos)
Premierships: 2012
Club B&F: 2009, 2011
McIntyre Medal (GF BOG): 2012
Team of the Year: 2009, 2013
A gun big man for the better part of a decade. While he started out at Romsey and Keilor, Cuffe is a legend at Sunbury Kangaroos. As playing co-coach, he was the driving force in the club’s history-making 2012 premiership – its first since its establishment in 1987. Cuffe, then aged 40, was named best-on-ground in the win. Showed there was plenty of life left in the legs the following season when he earned Team of the Year honours for the second time.
22. MATT DICK (Macedon)
Premierships: 2017
Club B&F: 2021
Team of the Year: 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022
It might be coincidence but the year Matthew Dick returned to Macedon, the Cats won the premiership. The club’s first in 41 years. He earned Team of the Year honours that year and has four in total. Injuries have taken a toll on the former Carlton and Sydney player in recent years but he remains one of the most damaging players in the competition.
21. ALISTAIR MELDRUM (Macedon, Romsey)
Bowen Medal: 2004
Club B&F: 2003, 2004, 2005
Club goalkicking: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2011, 2013
Team of the Year: 2003, 2004, 2005
A gun of the competition in the early Noughties, winning the Bowen Medal in 2004 and taking home a hat-trick of best-and-fairests and Team of the Year guernseys with Macedon and Romsey. After a time out of the league, the star forward returned with Macedon in 2011 as playing coach. Currently in his second stint in charge at Tony Clarke Oval.
20. CAM McCABE (Riddell, Diggers Rest)
Premierships: 2010, 2016, 2018
Club B&F: 2009
Club goalkicking: 2018
Team of the Year: 2009, 2018
A rare breed that could be a match-winner on all three lines. Was a dashing wingman in Riddell’s 2010 premiership triumph. Then moved to Diggers Rest and helped turn the club’s grand final fortunes around in 2016 before adding a second flag in 2018. Hung up the boots after the 2021 season.
19. PAUL SAHLBERG (Riddell)
Premierships: 2013
Bowen Medal: 2015
Club B&F: 2015, 2018
Footballer of the Year: 2015
Team of the Year: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019
Buffalo Sports Award: 2015
Arrived at Riddells Creek Reserve in 2013 and enjoyed immediate premiership success. Developed into one of the competition’s premier midfielders in the coming years. Sahlberg would be crowned the RDFNL’s best in 2015, winning the Bowen Medal and Football of the Year.
18. STEVE BOYALL (Broadford, Wallan)
Bowen Medal: 2022
Club B&F: 2014, 2021, 2022, 2023
Team of the Year: 2014, 2021, 2022, 2023
Currently starring in Wallan’s midfield and was appointed co-captain this season. However, Boyall made his RDFNL debut back in 2014 with former club Broadford. Burst onto the scene, winning Team of the Year honours and the club best-and-fairest that year. After three years he left the Kangaroos. Returned to the league in 2021 with the Magpies and again was named club champion and in the Team of the Year. Claimed the Bowen Medal the following year after a prolific season in midfield.
17. AARON BLADE (Riddell/Macedon)
Premierships: 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2013
Bowen Medal: 2009
Team of the Year: 2007, 2009, 2011
With five flags to his name, Blade has the most premierships in the era. An impressive record. The midfielder was a rising star as Riddell went back-to-back in 2005-06. He established himself as a star of the competition in the coming years and, having crossed to Macedon, was recognised with a Bowen Medal after a standout season in 2009. Returned to the Bombers the following year and added another two premierships.
16. BRENT TUCKEY (Diggers Rest)
Premierships: 2016
Footballer of the Year: 2013
League goalkicking: 2013
Club goalkicking: 2012, 2013
Team of the Year: 2012, 2013
The former Collingwood and West Coast AFL player arrived in 2012 and made an instant impact. However, in 2013 he was almost unstoppable. The Burras star won the league goalkicking with 76 goals and added another 14 in finals to finish with 90 in total. Was awarded Footballer of the Year as a result. An elbow injury ruled him out for almost the entire 2014 season but he returned to be a key player in Diggers grand final team in 2015 and drought-breaking premiership triumph in 2016. Missed the 2018 flag due to injury and hung up the boots.
15. MATT PERRI (Wallan)
Footballer of the Year: 2021
League goalkicking: 2019, 2021, 2022
Club B&F: 2019
Club goalkicking: 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023
Team of the Year: 2019, 2021, 2022
Arrived at Wallan later in his career but has made a staggering impact. Debuted in 2019 and won the league goalkicking title with 93 majors in the home-and-away season. He finished with 105 and helped the Magpies reach the grand final. He kicked an incredible 21 goals in a game against Rockbank that year, which must be (or very close to) the league record. Backed it up with goalkicking awards in 2021 and 2022 and at the time of publishing has 336 goals to his name.
14. BRENT SWALLOW (Rupertswood/Riddell)
Premierships: 2019, 2024
Bowen Medal: 2016
Footballer of the Year: 2017
Club B&F: 2016, 2017
Team of the Year: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Buffalo Sports Award: 2016
A driving force behind Rupertswood rise to RDFNL power after coming across with the club from the VAFA in 2013. Won the league’s highest individual honour in 2016, the Bowen Medal, and followed it up with Footballer of the Year in 2017. Won five consecutive Team of the Year guernseys. And then the crowning glory, captaining the Sharks to the 2019 premiership – it’s first in 10 years. Rupo would depart the league for the Essendon District but Swallow returned in 2024 and added a second flag with Riddell.
13. BRIAN RUFFELL (Lancefield, Riddell)
Premierships: 2009, 2013
League goalkicking: 2009, 2014, 2016
Club B&F: 2014
Club goalkicking: 2009, 2012, 2014, 2016
Team of the Year: 2009, 2014, 2015, 2016
The star forward dominated the forward 50 at both Lancefield and Riddell, winning a flag and league goalkicking title with both clubs. Tallied 80 goals to win the league award in 2009. In 2014, he bagged nine goals in Round 18 to finish with 71 and pip Matt Davidson by a single goal. Kicked another 70 in 2016 to win his third award and finished with 82 after finals.
12. JUSTIN BELLEVILLE (Riddell)
Premierships: 2005, 2006, 2008
Club B&F: 2007
Team of the Year: 2005, 2006, 2007
Buffalo Sports Award: 2007
The tough midfielder had incredible team success and was a driving force in Riddell’s back-to-back premierships and near total dominance of the competition over a four-year stretch. However, individually, Belleville was desperately unlucky. He finished second in the Bowen Medal in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Would return to coach the Bombers and extended his legacy by leading the club to the 2022 flag from the sidelines.
11. MARK STRACK (Romsey)
Premierships: 2003, 2011
Bowen Medal: 2002, 2003
Team of the Year: 2005, 2011
A superstar of the competition around the turn of the millennium, as evidenced by back-to-back Bowen Medals in 2002-03. As such information is harder to come by but Strack was nominated by all league experts surveyed. His longevity is on display as he was part of Romsey’s 2003 flag and then 2011 too, winning Team of the Year honours in 2005 and 2011 as well. Only two players have won multiple Bowens in the 2000s.
10. JAMES WRIGHT (Macedon)
Premierships: 2017
Club B&F: 2008, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2019
Club goalkicking: 2014
Team of the Year: 2008, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2019
Karman Medal (interleague): 2013
The Cats legend is one of the league’s longest serving players, showcasing his class and consistency for 20 years having debuted in 2005. Wright played his 250th in last year’s semi-final win over Diggers Rest and at the time of publishing he has 260 to his name. Has been a star of the competition with six Team of the Year guernseys and five Macedon best-and-fairests. Got his flag in 2017 and finished third in the Bowen Medal in 2010. Remains a key part of the Cats line-up with his experience ushering in a new generation.
9. MICK ALLEN (Riddell)
Premierships: 2005, 2008, 2010, 2013
Club goalkicking: 2010, 2011
Team of the Year: 2005, 2010, 2011
Not just a legendary cricketer, Mick Allen could also play a bit of footy. A tough midfield-forward, Allen has four premierships on his resume. Records are a bit fuzzy, so it’s hard to truly articulate his impact but he has three Team of the Year guernseys and showed he can dominate out of the goalsquare after kicking 100 goals in 2011. Had a fairly decent 2013 when he broke the Subbies run-scoring record in March then followed it up with premiership success in September. However, it ended in pain when he broke his leg in the final minutes of the grand final. A four-time club best-and-fairest runner-up.
8. MATT DAVIDSON (Romsey)
Premierships: 2011, 2014
Footballer of the Year: 2012
League goalkicking: 2011, 2012
Club goalkicking: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Team of the Year: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
A powerhouse full forward in his five years at Romsey. Davidson helped the Redbacks win two flags, going undefeated through 2014, and claimed two league goalkicking titles in that time. He finished second twice and was pipped by just one goal in 2014. Burst onto the scene in 2011, kicking 112 goals in the home-and-away season and finishing with 127, including five in the grand final triumph. Backed it up with another 102 in 2012, before kicking 14 in an elimination final win over Melton Centrals, finishing with 120 in total. Was held to 61 in 2013 and then kicked 70 in 2014. Davidson missed Round 18 and was overtaken by Brian Ruffell as he kicked nine.
7. LEE JAMES (Riddell)
Premierships: 2005, 2006, 2008
Bowen Medal: 2005
League goalkicking: 2005, 2008
Club B&F: 2005
Team of the Year: 2005, 2008
Buffalo Award Winner: 2005
One of the greatest forwards in the competition during the 2000s. Was one of the best players in all local footy in 2005 when he kicked 125 goals to help Riddell claim the premiership and earn himself the Bowen Medal and league goalkicking title double. We’re told he booted eight in the grand final that year. With information hard to come by for that time, there are unconfirmed accounts that he may have tonned up in 2004 and 2006 as well. If those records come to light, he’ll rise higher up the rankings. It wasn’t just the goalkicking alone though, he could sit on defenders heads and produce magic from nothing.
6. JASON COOKE (Macedon)
Premierships: 2017
Bowen Medal: 2017
League goalkicking: 2017
Club goalkicking: 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023
Team of the Year: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024
Turner Medal (Rising Star): 2015
While he may not have kicked the ton like some on this list, Cooke is the competition’s No.1 goalkicker in the era. At least according to records we can find. The Cats star actually broke the 400-goal barrier just last weekend, kicking three in the Round 15 loss to Wallan. He has 402 at the time of publishing. A breakout 2017 season saw Cooke win just about everything there was to win; a premiership medal, Bowen Medal and league goalkicking award. He booted 77 in the home-and-away season and finished with 80 after finals. The Cats ended a 41-year drought. The only Steve Turner Medallist on this list, highlighting his rise from talented youngster to league’s best.
5. DANIEL TOMAN (Woodend-Hesket)
Bowen Medal: 2023
Footballer of the Year: 2023, 2024
Team of the Year: 2017, 2018, 2023, 2024
Karman Medal (interleague): 2017
A superstar of the current generation and could push higher on this list in the years of come. Toman’s ball-winning ability is arguably unrivalled in the competition. Came through the Woodend juniors before making his senior debut in 2009. Tested himself at VFL level for several years before returning to the Hawks in 2017, earning back-to-back Team of the Year honours. Spent a couple of years away before returning again in 2023 and immediately helped the club end a 14-year finals drought and reach its first grand final in 16 years. Toman’s individual brilliance was recognised with the Bowen Medal and Footballer of the Year. He would finish second in the league medal in 2024.
4. SHAUN SIMS (Diggers Rest)
Club B&F: 2004, 2005, 2006
Team of the Year: 2005, 2006 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
A stalwart of the Riddell District league and a star of the competition for more than a decade. Unfortunately though, one of the unluckiest players too. Sims played in six losing grand finals and finished second in the Bowen Medal in 2005 and 2006. However, while he wasn’t on the field, he did play a major role in ending the Burras’ 23-year premiership drought – coaching the club to the historic success. Highlighting his prowess on the field, Sims earned seven consecutive Team of the Year guernseys, a feat unmatched in this era.
3. TAYLOR HINE (Diggers Rest)
Premierships: 2016, 2018, 2023
Footballer of the Year: 2016
Club B&F: 2016
McIntyre Medal (GF BOG): 2016
Team of the Year: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022
It might be too much to say the former Gold Coast Sun single-handedly turned Diggers Rest’s fortunes around – but it would be far off the mark either. Hine arrived at Bloomdale Oval in 2016 and immediately helped the club end a 23-year premiership drought. The Burras had lost six grand finals since 2000. Hine was named Footballer of the Year in 2016 and finished second in the Bowen Medal, while he would win the McIntyre Medal in the premiership triumph. Continued to be a star of the competition, winning six Team of the Year honours in a row. Injuries hampered him in later years but he still played a key role in Diggers’ 2023 flag as well.
2. HAYDN ROSS (Riddell)
Premierships: 2010, 2013, 2024
League goalkicking: 2018
Club B&F: 2011, 2017, 2019
Club goalkicking: 2017, 2018, 2023
Team of the Year: 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024
Incredible longevity, consistency and excellence. Ross won his first Team of the Year honour in 2010 and won his 10th guernsey in 2024. In that time there’s been three flags with the Bombers, while he also snared a league goalkicking award in 2018 when he booted 71 majors – finishing with 74 after finals. The only thing missing is a Bowen, which he came so close to on multiple occasions, finishing second at least once, in 2013. Has the chance to secure a fourth flag and 11th Team of the Year nod this year. According to PlayHQ, he has 234 senior RDFNL games to his name – although 2009 is missing, so it’s likely more.
1. TOM WATERS (Lancefield/Macedon)
Premierships: 2009, 2017
Bowen Medal: 2008, 2010
Club B&F: 2010, 2018, 2021
Team of the Year: 2008, 2010, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021
Two flags, two league medals, best-and-fairests, interleague. Waters has done it all. Across two stints in the league, at two different clubs, the gun ruckman has been a superstars. Burst onto the scene in 2008, winning the Bowen Medal in his debut year. Then helped Lancefield claim a premiership in 2009 before winning a second league medal in 2010. After a stint at Gisborne, returned to the RDFNL with Macedon in 2016, helping the Cats end a 41-year premiership drought in 2017. Returned to Lancefield in the club’s time of need and continued to be one of the league’s premier players. Retired on game 300 in 2024, 168 coming in the RDFNL.
Melton South aiming to end finals curse
Having won more games than almost the last six seasons combined, Melton South has the chance to end a 14-year wait and will be boosted by the return of an ex-AFL weapon.
Ex-AFL names, big forwards dominate local footy action
Ex-AFL players dominated with big performances in wet conditions, including one who is stranded on 99 goals, while one game was halted due to a nasty injury. See our Victorian local footy wrap.