Who are the top talents lighting up the Riddell District league in 2023

The Riddell District is full of young talents and hidden gems. We reveal the top young guns starring this season.

There is a host of young talent running around in the Riddell District this season.

The league that helped develop the likes of Jake Lever, Harrison Jones and Lachie Plowman continues to produce exciting young talent.

These young talents are making an impact at senior level that belies their age.

Check out the top young talents below.

Jake Armistead in action for Melton Centrals. Picture: Hamish Blair

Jake Armistead (Melton Centrals)

Among the favourites for Centrals’ best-and-fairest after a stunning campaign. Returned to Arnold’s Creek Reserve after a season away from the game but looks like a 10-year veteran with his ability to find the ball and set up his teammates. Has been named in the best 10 times, including four BOGs.

Oscar Besanko (Riddell)

Played 13 games and won himself a premiership last season. Has gone to another level this season, playing all 16 matches and become a key part of the Bombers set-up. Capable of playing most positions on the ground, which is a huge benefit to coach Justin Belleville’s gameplan.

Evan Donoghue (Melton Centrals)

Arguably the best young ruckman in the competition, Donoghue’s influence at Melton Centrals is immense for a 20-year-old. Earned a mention in the best in a remarkable 12 of 15 appearances this season, including the first seven games in a row. Team of the Year honours would not surprise.

Tobi Duff-Tytler (Woodend-Hesket)

Debuted as a 16-year-old in 2021 and has hardly missed a game since. Played all 16 last season and has 14 appearances this year as part of an ever-improving Hawks outfit. With Woodend-Hesket finally breaking its finals drought, will be looking to help the club end its flag drought next.

Brodie Gilchrist in action for Wallan. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Ryley Ferguson (Woodend-Hesket)

Still eligible for under-19s but holding down a key position post for a Woodend-Hesket side with premiership ambitions. Has made 14 appearances this season and earned a mention in the best six times. Was one of the Hawks best in the drought-breaking win over reigning premier Riddell earlier in the year.

Brodie Gilchrist (Wallan)

Cemented himself as a senior player last season, playing all 19 games, before stepping back to the under-19s and winning the grand final medal in Wallan’s premiership win. Has played all but one game this season and become an important part of the Magpies youth movement.

Lachlan Giles (Lancefield)

Played seven games in 2021 before only one last season but has exploded in 2023, playing 15 matches and becoming a key part of the Tigers line-up. Has earned seven mentions in the best and while usually used in defence has booted 10 goals to underline his flexibility.

Hayden Gill (Wallan)

The young gun crossed from Northern power West Preston-Lakeside in the summer and has stepped in as the club’s No.1 ruckman when not on VFL duties with Carlton. Played 13 games this season and had a monster performance in Round 6 with 22 disposals, 25 hitouts, 10 marks, seven tackles and seven clearances for 166 ranking points.

Lachlan Giles in action for Lancefield. Picture: Hamish Blair

Lachlan Hay (Macedon)

Broke through for three games in 2022 as a 15-year-old and has cemented his place in the Cats’ line-up this season, with 12 appearances. Has been one of Macedon’s young guns to benefit from the club’s injury crisis, gaining critical senior experience. Also a star junior cricketer, co-captaining Central Highlands to a second straight Youth Premier League Under-16 title and playing Premier Cricket at Footscray.

Jesse Horton (Riddell)

A young player in a premiership team last season but has blossomed into one of the Bombers most consistent players. Has played all 16 games in 2023 and earned a mention in the best nine times, including best-on-ground in both meetings with minor premier Diggers Rest.

Dylan Jobson (Melton Centrals)

Arrived at Arnold’s Creek Reserve this season looking for a senior opportunity. After kicking bags of goals for Melton’s reserves in the Ballarat league, Dobson has continued to be prolific in front of goal for Centrals, finishing second in the league goalkicking award with 44 majors in 16 appearances. Kicked a season-best eight against Western Rams and five against Romsey.

Dylan Johnstone (Macedon)

One of five Cats to play all 16 games as the club was ravaged by injury this season. The young gun finished the season on a high with three goals and a best-on-ground in the Round 18 loss to Woodend-Hesket. Finished the campaign with 12 majors, fourth most at the club.

Nash King (Wallan)

Remember the name. One of the highly regarded draft prospects for 2024, Nash has been very impressive for Calder Cannons and made his senior debut for the Magpies in the Round 9 loss to Riddell. Earned a place in Vic Metro’s under-18 national championships squad as a bottom-ager and starred at the recent under-17 trials for Vic Metro, underlining his potential.

Darcy Lockens in action for Romsey. Picture: Hamish Blair

Darcy Lockens (Romsey)

Captained Gisborne to an under-18s premiership last season and returned to his junior club this year looking for senior football. Lockens almost instantly become a key player for the Redbacks, playing all 16 games and kicking 20 goals – good enough for ninth most in the competition. Kicked four goals in a drought-breaking win over Riddell earlier in the year and was named Romsey’s best in loss to premiership favourite Diggers Rest.

Darcy McGrath (Riddell)

The 19-year-old made seven senior appearances this season and is a player of the future at Riddell’s Creek Reserve. Already almost 200cm, he’ll likely be a hot commodity over the summer.

Corey Pertzel (Romsey)

Won the Redbacks best-and-fairest in a stunning breakout season in 2022 and has enjoyed another strong campaign in 2023. Played all 16 games and earned 11 mentions in the best under new coach Justin Sherman. Finished the home-and-away season in sparkling form with four straight second best-on-grounds.

James Roberts (Melton Centrals)

Played 12 games in a breakout 2022 season and has continued to impress in the Centrals midfield. Limited to 13 matches this season but was still named in the best seven times, underlining his importance to the team. Exploded in Round 15 with 27 disposals, 10 clearances, a goal and 158 ranking points to be named Player of the Week.

Callum Sankey (Romsey)

Played all 16 games last season and all 16 games this season to underline his consistency and durability as a young player. Will be asked to up his output if Romsey is to make an impact in the finals.

Tom Schwarzenberg (Diggers Rest)

Played all 20 games last season as the Burras reached the grand final to cement himself as one of the competition’s best young players. Has had a change of role this season, turning into a running half-back. Has been a key player in Diggers’ finishing the year on top of the ladder.

Lachlan Tarczon (Riddell)

Joined his brother Dylan at the Bombers this season from Sunbury Kangaroos and has been a consistent contributor. The younger Tarczon has played 15 games this season and the club hopes he can be a key player if Riddell is to go back-to-back.

Justin Tenaglia (Diggers Rest)

One of only three Burras to play all 20 games last season as the club reached the grand final but injury has restricted him to just 13 appearances this season. Hasn’t played since Round 15 and will be hard pressed to get back into a dominant Burras line-up.

David Tyquin (Western Rams)

Joined his brother William at the Rams mid-season after spending the first half of the season at Essendon District power Strathmore. The Diggers Rest junior has been critical since arriving, earning seven mentions in the best in his nine appearances. If the Rams can hold onto Tyquin next season, it would be a massive boost to the club’s hopes of ending in losing streak.

William Tyquin (Western Rams)

Crossed to Ian Cowie Reserve from Diggers Rest in the off-season and made 10 appearances. Earned a mention in the Rams’ best in five of those. Tyquin and his brother David are the type of recruits the club needs if it is to score a long awaited win and become competitive again.

Jackson Wadden (Riddell)

A rising star in cricket having played in Spotswood’s historic VSDCA First XI premiership and earned a Premier Cricket contract at Carlton. Not a bad footballer either and has played seven games for the Bombers this season and will be looking to help the club go back-to-back.

Oliver Watt (Woodend-Hesket)

The 16-year-old has a big future. Won the Under-15A league best-and-fairest last season and earned his senior debut in Round 12, finishing the season with three games and earning a mention in the best in two. Produced one of the highlights of the year when he soared over the pack against Wallan to take one of the marks of the year. Impressed in Vic Metro under-16 trials earlier this year.

Samuel Wilson (Romsey)

Came across from Gisborne with Darcy Lockens and has also quickly become a key member of the Redbacks line-up. The youngster played 15 games this season and has nine goals. Part of a young core Romsey is hoping to build its next premiership around.