Leader Local Footy names the top-40 players in the Riddell District in 2023
As the Riddell District season comes to a close we look at the stars who have lit up the competition in 2023. See who makes the cut.
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There’s just one game remaining in the Riddell District season.
Diggers Rest and Woodend-Hesket will battle for the premiership.
But first we consider who have been the best players in the competition this year.
There’s been some outstanding performances from top to bottom.
It’s meant some serious talent has been forced out with the likes of Alastair Rae, Matt Perri, Jaxson Kinnear and Oscar Besanko missing out.
Mitch Jensen, Tom Gawthrop, Josh Grabham, Jason Cooke, Devin Costigan, Nathan Blair and Nathan Hoy are all high-quality talents but didn’t play enough games.
Check out the list below and have your say.
1. Dylan Tarczon (Riddell)
The standout player in the competition all year. Tarczon is capable of winning matches from midfield or in attack with devastating bursts.
2. Daniel Toman (Woodend-Hesket)
Returned to the Hawks this season and showcased all his class in an outstanding campaign, racking up possessions almost at will.
3. Steve Boyall (Wallan)
The reigning Bowen Medallist could go back-to-back after another superb season. Devastating to see him rupture an ACL in the last game of the year.
4. Taylor Hine (Diggers Rest)
All class across half-back for the Burras. A genuine team leader and almost impossible to bypass with his ability to intercept mark.
5. Tim Martin (Woodend-Hesket)
Arrived at Gilbert Gordon Oval with much fanfare and duly delivered. Would be short odds to be named the No. 1 ruck in the Team of the Year. Could he win back-to-back premierships and grand final medals in different competitions?
6. Jack Jedwab (Romsey)
A brilliant season from the Redbacks spearhead saw him claim the league goalkicking award with 61 majors in the home-and-away season. Bagged hauls of 10 and eight against Western Rams and seven against Woodend-Hesket and Melton Centrals.
7. Jaidyn Caruana (Diggers Rest)
Back to full fitness and showing why he is one of the premier midfielders in the competition with a prolific season.
8. Sean Morris (Wallan)
Is it possible for one of the stars of the league to fly under the radar? Certainly not at Greenhill Reserve where he is revered for his toughness.
9. Tommy Alkemade (Riddell)
A career-best season for the Bombers winger as he stepped into a more central midfield role this season.
10. Mitch Day (Diggers Rest)
The Burras forward finished the season equal second on the goalkicking list and averaged three goals a game in his 15 appearances with a high of eight against Western Rams.
11. Hayden Gill (Wallan)
The young ruckman split his time between Greenhill Reserve and Carlton’s VFL team but still had a significant impact for the Magpies with his tap work and agility around the ground.
12. Jaycob Hickey (Diggers Rest)
One of the leaders in Melton’s Ballarat premiership team so no surprise he’s had a stellar season in the RDFNL. Racks up plenty of touches and hits the scoreboard.
13. Nathan Rayment (Romsey)
Already a star of the competition but one might argue 2023 was his best season yet. Played all 18 games, kicked 17 goals and had a mid-season purple patch that saw him named in the best in seven straight matches.
14. Haydn Ross (Riddell)
Returned to the Bombers this season and enjoyed a consistent season. Finished with campaign with 30 goals, going goalless just three times in his 17 matches.
15. Dylan Jobson (Melton Centrals)
Joined Centrals looking for senior opportunities this season and blossomed at Arnold’s Creek. Finished the season as the league’s joint second leading goalkicker with 44 majors. Kicked a season-high eight against Western Rams and was kept goalless twice – both against Woodend-Hesket.
16. Kyle Baker (Woodend-Hesket)
A critical addition to the Hawks midfield with his contested ball work. Played every game and also hit the scoreboard with 12 majors.
17. Corey Viani (Wallan)
Makes an impact anywhere on the field. Was named in the Team of the Year last season and should snare similar honours this season … but maybe not in the back pocket.
18. Corey Pertzel (Romsey)
The Redbacks young gun backed up his breakout, best-and-fairest winning season with another quality campaign in 2023. Played all 18 games, hit the scoreboard with 15 goals and earnt 13 mentions in the best, including club BOG in the semi-final loss to Woodend-Hesket.
19. Marcus Stapleton (Woodend-Hesket)
The key defender was a rock this season, playing all 19 games so far. Will have a big job in the grand final trying to keep the Burras attack quiet.
20. Ben Sonogan (Riddell)
The ultimate swingman, Sonogan is a proven performer at either end of the ground. So important to how the Bombers set-up.
21. Mark Orr (Diggers Rest)
The Melton premiership player excelled in his first season with Diggers, supercharging an already strong midfield with his ruck work. Will be a critical player in Sunday’s grand final.
22. Lukas Fellows (Lancefield)
If not for playing 13 games, might be higher on the list. When Fellows was on the park he was brilliant for Lancefield, named in the best 10 times, including four best-on-ground performances.
23. Will Thornton-Gielen (Melton Centrals)
Jumped across from Melton South and was almost instantly one of the Blues best week-in, week-out. Played all 16 games and got in the best eight times, including BOG performances against Diggers Rest and Lancefield.
24. Declan Phyland (Macedon)
After just six games last season, Phyland showed his quality in 2023. Amid Macedon’s injury crisis, Phyland was one constant, playing 15 games and kicking 28 goals.
25. Tom Waters (Lancefield)
Stepped down from the coaching role but continues to be Lancefield’s talisman on the field. Showed he’s still a force to be reckoned with.
26. Marcus Calvaresi (Diggers Rest)
One the Burras’ most consistent and reliable players. Played 15 games and kicked 12 goals
27. Dean Bramley (Woodend-Hesket)
The Hawks reinforced the midfield this season and Bramley benefited massively. Instead of copping the tag he was able to run free and was one of the club’s most reliable players in all 19 games.
28. Michael Mannix (Wallan)
A legend of the competition, Mannix brought up 300 local footy games this season and continues to be one of the best defenders in the competition.
29. Bryce Williamson (Riddell)
While the Bombers struggled with injury this season, Williamson was one of the few to feature in every game. Earnt 10 mentions in the best in his 17 appearances.
30. David Tyquin (Western Rams)
An exception to the games-played rule. Tyquin made a mid-season move to Ian Cowie Reserve and put in a series of quality performances, earning a mention in the best in seven of his nine appearances.
31. Brodie Gilchrist (Wallan)
The Magpies young gun is quickly becoming one of the best players at the club, if not competition, with his dash off half-back. Is a Team of the Year nod coming his way?
32. Darcy Lockens (Romsey)
The youngster returned to his junior club this season and excelled, belying his age. Played all 18 games and kicked 22 goals and, given his importance to Romsey, was singled out for a shutdown job in the semi-final by Woodend-Hesket.
33. Jack Arceri (Woodend-Hesket)
Shifted out of the midfield this season but remained a high-impact player, booting 24 goals in 19 appearances. Will play a big role in the Hawks grand final hopes.
34. Evan Donoghue (Melton Centrals)
The young ruckman is on a steep upward trajectory after two quality seasons with Centrals. Has good tap work but his biggest asset is his ability to impact around the ground.
35. Tom Schwarzenberg (Diggers Rest)
The Burras youngster was shifted into defence this season and blossomed as one of the competition’s best running half-backs. So critical to the way Diggers plays.
36. Jesse Horton (Riddell)
As the Bombers were hit by injury, Horton stepped up to the plate. Played all 17 games and was in the best on 10 occasions.
37. Riley O’Meara (Lancefield)
The O’Meara name is famous at Lancefield and young Riley added another chapter this season with a string of impressive performances. Having returned from Essendon Doutta Stars, he will be critical to the club’s hopes of climbing the ladder in the future if he sticks around.
38. Jake Armistead (Melton Centrals)
Returned to footy after a season away and produced a quality season. Played all 16 games, kicked 11 goals and earnt a mention in the best 10 times, including four best-ons.
39. Zac Smedley (Macedon)
One of the few Macedon stars that avoided the injury curse that hit the club this season. Smedley was due some luck, returning from an ACL injury last season, and played 15 games.
40. Matt Burkett (Romsey)
Perhaps the Redbacks midfielder didn’t have his best season but its testament to his class that it was still a high-quality campaign.
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