We name the rising stars taking the Riddell District by storm in 2024
The Riddell District league is chock full of young talent. With finals kicking off, we’ve named the best young guns in the competition this season.
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Metro Melbourne’s “country” comp has delivered plenty of talent.
From top to bottom, the Riddell District league is chock full of young guns.
And they’ll be plenty more next year with Gisborne Giants entering the league.
We’ve brought together the best 22 and under rising stars in the competition with a number in the running for the coveted Steve Turner Medal as the competition’s Rising Gun.
That’s not even including VFL-listed talent Hayden Gill (Wallan) and Coates League guns such as Cooper Duff-Tytler and Ollie Watt (both Woodend-Hesket).
Joseph Barham (Macedon)
Doesn’t turn 18 for another month but already represented Riddell District at under-19 level against Southern this season and has barely missed a game for the Cats, making 13 senior appearances.
Ethan Beer (Romsey)
The Romsey junior returned to the club this season after several seasons with St Kevin’s in VAFA’s Premier Division. While he didn’t crack it for a senior game, Beer did play all 20 matches in the reserves last season. So it’s no surprise the 22-year-old has been one of the leading lights this season, playing all 16 matches, kicking eight goals and earning five mentions in the best.
Dom Bennington (Kyneton)
Didn’t miss a game last year and the 21-year-old played has played 15 of 16 this year to truly cement himself as one of the Tigers’ key players in defence. Capable of locking down his opponent and providing some rebound out of defence.
Connor Bills (Romsey)
Had seemingly established himself as a senior player at Gisborne but was lured across to Romsey to play alongside a number of mates. The 20-year-old Started the season like a house on fire, earning four mentions in the best in the opening five rounds.
Mason Bowden (Wallan)
Under-17s at Craigieburn and seniors at Macleod and West Preston-Lakeside before settling at Wallan the past two years. After 18 games last season, has played 14 so far this year. The 22-year-old will be hoping to make an impact in the Magpies’ premiership push.
Brad Cooke (Macedon)
The 18-year-old is one of Macedon’s band of young guns and another who represented Riddell District at under-19 level against Southern. Following in the footsteps of his older brother and captain, Jason, kicking 12 goals in 16 appearances this season – including a bag of six against Woodend-Hesket.
Evan Donoghue (Melton Centrals)
Capable of being a game-changer wherever he plays. Burst onto the scene as a young, high-flying ruckman but has settled at centre half-back this season and become one of the competition’s leading intercept markers. Limited to 12 matches by injury but his importance to the Blues is highlighted by nine mentions in the best, including a key role in Saturday’s stunning upset of Diggers Rest. Doesn’t turn 20 until October.
Tobi Duff-Tytler (Woodend-Hesket)
Played in last year’s grand final as an 18-year-old, now 19 and a key member of the Hawks’ senior team. The impressive young defender played 15 games this season and was named in the best six times,
Ed Ferguson (Macedon)
Turns 18 next week, so happy birthday. Quickly establishing himself as one of the Cats’ key players, playing all 16 matches this season and earning a mention in the best seven times. Also made four under-19 appearances and was one of Riddell District’s best in the inter-league match against Southern.
Ryley Ferguson (Woodend-Hesket)
Doesn’t turn 21 until October but already a major part of Woodend’s rebuild. The hard-luck story of last year’s grand final, missing out after playing in the preliminary final. However, showcased his class this season, playing 14 games, kicking 13 goals and earning eight mentions in the best.
Caleb Fisher (Kyneton)
Turned 23 on August 9 (happy birthday), so just squeezes onto our list. The gun midfielder is one of Kyneton’s prime movers and revelled in the move to the RDFNL. The sign of a good midfielder is goals and Fisher has 13 from 16 matches this season. His 10 mentions in the best underline his importance and impact, which equal sixth most in comp.
Owen Fowler (Wallan)
The 18-year-old represented Riddell District at under-19 level this season against Southern. After eight senior matches last year, Fowler has become a regular senior contributor, playing every game, as well as five more at under-19 level.
Brodie Gilchrist (Wallan)
The 21-year-old has been a regular in our young guns for the past few years. Continues to improve year-on-year and stepped up to representative level this season against Southern. After seven mentions in the best in 18 appearances last season, has underlined his impact with 10 in 16 matches so far this season – sixth most in comp.
Riley Gilchrist (Wallan)
Following in his brother’s footsteps and becoming a key player for Wallan. The 19-year-old played juniors at Whittlesea before moving to Wallan last year and making 11 senior appearances. Stepped up again this season, playing all 16 games – and four under-19s to boot – and earning representative honours in the under-19s against Southern.
Darcy Giles (Lancefield)
Made the leap from under-17s in 2022 to eight senior games last year and took another step forward this year, playing every game for the Tigers. The younger Giles, 19, certainly followed in his brother’s footsteps, impressing and among the best on a weekly basis. Lachie has the bragging rights but Darcy wasn’t far behind with nine bests in 16 outings.
Lachlan Giles (Lancefield)
Arguably the standout Tigers player this season, impressing on a weekly basis. After seven bests in 15 matches last year, the 21-year-old went to another level this season with 12 in 15 matches – the second most in comp. Can play at either end and make an impact and would be a Team of the Year contender.
Jack Hammerling (Riddell)
The 2022 premiership player returned to the Bombers this season after spending 2023 with Maribyrnong Park in the Essendon District league. Has fitted straight back in seamlessly, playing all 16 games and kicking 10 goals. Still only 20 and will be looking to have a big finals and help the club to a second flag in three years.
Lachlan Hay (Macedon)
Turns 18 in November but already one of the Cats’ key players. An exciting midfield-forward who can create something out of nothing to spark his club. Has been playing seniors for three seasons already and was one of Riddell District’s best in the under-19 inter-league clash against Southern.
Caleb Higgins (Melton Centrals)
Was playing under-18s for St Albans last season but returned to his junior club to play senior footy this year. The 19-year-old has taken to it like a duck to water, playing 15 of 16 games and kicking five goals.
Jesse Horton (Riddell)
The 20-year-old has been among the Bombers’ best on a weekly basis, seven bests in 14 appearances is testament to that. A premiership player in 2022 and he’s quickly become an integral part of Riddell’s push to make it two in three seasons.
Tom Indian (Macedon)
Joined his brother Sam at the Cats this season, crossing from Northern club Hurstbridge. The 18-year-old ruckman represented the RDFNL at under-19 level this season against Southern and played every game for Macedon in the seniors.
Dylan Jobson (Melton Centrals)
The Blues spearhead has quickly established himself as one of the competition’s most dangerous forwards. Finished second in the league goalkicking last season, his first in the RDFNL, with 44 majors to earn himself Team of the Year honours. Represented the Riddell District against Southern and came within milliseconds of a mark that could have become a match-winning shot at goal but it wasn’t to be. Limited to 12 games this season but still has 20 goals, eighth most in the competition.
Jacob Langborne (Wallan)
The 22-year-old is sure to play a key role in Wallan’s premiership hunt. Formerly VFL listed at Brisbane Lions, the midfielder-forward returned to his junior club in 2023 but injury curtailed his season, finishing with 20 goals in 11 games. Langborne has kicked 19 goals in 14 appearances this season.
Darcy Lockens (Romsey)
The reigning RDFNL Rising Gun continues to impress at Romsey. Asked to take on a more senior role with Jack Jedwab often on VFL duties, Lockens has become a Redbacks focal point. The 20-year-old has played all 16 games and booted 18 goals so far this season and represented the Riddell District at senior level against Southern.
Dylan McDonald (Melton Centrals)
A Centrals junior before one year of under-19s at Melton in 2022. Returned to Arnold’s Creek Reserve for senior footy last year and played 13 games but has cemented himself as a regular this season and hasn’t missed a game. The 20-year-old is capable of doing a job in defence or higher up the ground, using his run-and-carry on the wing.
Hamish McDonald (Woodend-Hesket)
One of Woodend’s youngsters asked to step up after the off-season’s exodus and he’s done so with aplomb. The 19-year-old (he turns 20 in October) has gone from seven under-19s games last year to 13 in the seniors this season. One for the club to potentially build around.
Angus Nolte (Kyneton)
Coming across to the RDFNL with Kyneton, the 20-year-old is one of the most exciting young players in the competition. Was selected in the under-19 inter-league side against Southern and was among the best. The 20-year-old has 19 goals in 15 senior appearances this season, just outside the competition’s top-10, and has attracted plenty of attention from opposition coaches and defenders.
Ned O’Connell (Lancefield)
Doesn’t turn 23 until December so just makes the list. After making his way to Lancefield from Macedon early last year, he has missed just two games since. One of a band of youngsters the Tigers need to keep together to help lift the club up the ladder.
Darcy Peavey (Romsey)
Has been in and out of the Redbacks’ senior team for the past three years but finally established himself as a senior regular this season. The 22-year-old has only missed one game as Romsey challenged the top three heavyweights of the competition.
Corey Pertzel (Romsey)
Just 21 but an established fixture in the Redbacks’ midfield. Represented the Riddell District at senior level against Southern this season and hasn’t missed a game in the league, kicking 10 goals and earning a mention in the best an incredible 10 times – sixth most in the competition.
Leroy Ristevski (Lancefield)
Went straight from under-17s in 2022 to senior footy last year so it was no surprise to see him excel again this season. The 19-year-old played 14 games and was a regular contributor in a variety of roles, on a wing or up forward.
James Roberts (Melton Centrals)
The Blues midfield gun impressed last year but has taken his game to another level this season. The 22-year-old has played all but one game and earned a mention in the best nine times. Seven of those bests came in consecutive weeks in a mid-season purple patch.
Reuben Rode (Wallan)
A proven talent having come through the Calder Cannons pathway and winning the Rob Hyde Medal as best-and-fairest. Was at Northern club Northcote Park, then Goulburn Valley power Kyabram before the Wallan junior returned to Greenhill Reserve this season. Still only 20 and hasn’t disappointed with an eye-catching inter-league performance against Southern and regularly among Wallan’s best. A Bowen Medal chance too.
Callum Sankey (Romsey)
Still only 20 but has been a regular senior player for the past three years. If our maths is correct – and he’s available – Saturday’s elimination final will be his 50th game for the Redbacks.
Oscar Schnoor (Romsey)
Was part of Gisborne Giants’ grand final side last year and stepped up to senior football with Romsey this season. The 18-year-old hasn’t missed a beat, playing 15 of 16 matches and cementing himself as a key player heading into finals.
Hayden Sproule (Melton Centrals)
Cemented himself in the Blues senior side last season but has become a consistent contributor this season. The 22-year-old hasn’t missed a game and been among the club’s best in a strong finish to the year.
Angus Strawhorn (Kyneton)
Restricted to seven matches last season but hasn’t missed a beat in 2024. The 22-year-old dashing half-back has played all 16 games and earned a mention in the best four times, three of which came in the final three games of the year.
Xavier Tadd (Woodend-Hesket)
Made his senior debut last season, playing one game, but was thrown in the deep end this season. The 20-year-old has played 14 games for the Hawks this season as they look to find the next crop of youngsters to take them back to finals.
Justin Tenaglia (Diggers Rest)
An established senior player since 2022 but still only 22. After missing last year’s premiership victory, the 20-year-old backman has taken his game to a new level this season and is a Team of the Year contender. Played all 16 games and finished the year strongly with three mentions in the best in the last three outings.
Adam Tomac (Melton Centrals)
Made our young guns list in 2022 after playing 15 games and impressing in defence. Made 12 appearances last year but has returned to full fitness this year with 15 games – only missing Round 18. The 22-year-old is a key part of the Blues future.
Jai White (Diggers Rest)
Doesn’t turn 23 until December so just squeezes onto the list. A premiership player in his first full season of senior football last year and has continued to be a consistent performer for the Burras. White has made 13 appearances this season but hasn’t been sighted since Round 15.
Monte White (Woodend-Hesket)
Made his senior debut in 2022 but didn’t get a look in last year. Got an opportunity in Round 1 and took it with both hands. The soon-to-be 20-year-old has played 14 games and been in the best five times. A player of the future at Gilbert Gordon Oval.
Sam Wilson (Romsey)
Burst onto the scene with 17 games and 10 goals last season and while he perhaps hasn’t been as prolific this year, is still a key cog in Romsey’s finals run. The 22-year-old has six goals and been named in the best six times in his 14 matches – all six bests coming in his last six outings.
William Wiseman (Woodend-Hesket)
The 21-year-old key forward arrived from South Australia, where he had a stint with SANFL club Glenelg, joining his brother James. Made an instant impact with nine goals in his first four games and finished the season with 25 majors in 16 games – ranked sixth in comp. If the Hawks can keep him, he’ll be one of the best forwards in the comp.
Cody Young (Kyneton)
Made his senior debut in 2022 and won the club’s under-18 best-and-fairest last season. The developing ruckman cemented himself as the Tigers’ No.1 big man this year, playing 14 games. Still only 19 but underlined his improvement with seven mentions in the best, taking on some of the best in the competition including Josh Grabham and Chris Stewart.
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