Who makes the cut in our dream Riddell District league representative team

The Riddell District has played rep footy in the previous two seasons. How would this line-up fair? We name our (almost) mid-season All-Star team.

Who makes the RDFNL rep team cut?

After playing rep footy for the past two years, the Riddell District is sitting it out in 2025.

That doesn’t mean we can’t have some fun and pick our hypothetical dream team.

The RDFNL has arguably never been deeper with some elite talent running around each weekend.

Reigning premier Riddell and competition heavyweights Diggers Rest, Wallan and Kyneton each have three inclusions.

While newcomers Melton South and Gisborne Giants have seen three and two players earn selection respectively.

Every club is represented in the 23-man squad. Check it out below

Marlion Pickett in action for Melton South. Picture: Andrew Batsch

BACKS

Corey Viani (Wallan)

Ben Sonogan (Riddell)

Brandon Lester (Diggers Rest)

You’re earning every kick as a forward – if you can get one – against these three. Viani and Sonogan have been stars of the competition for years. Lester has arrived this season and been a standout on a weekly basis as the Burras sit on top of the ladder.

HALF-BACKS

Riley O’Meara (Lancefield)

Marlion Pickett (Melton South)

Nathan Blair (Romsey)

Pickett was better known as a midfielder or half-forward in his AFL days but has made an impressive start to life as a Panther at centre half-back. His ability to cover the ground, read the ball and take contested marks is obviously elite. Then beside him, O’Meara and Blair, two excellent runners with classy ball-use to rebound and create offence.

Dylan Tarczon in action for Riddell. Picture: Andy Brownbill

CENTRES

Caleb Fisher (Kyneton)

Dylan Tarczon (Riddell)

Fabian Brancatisano (Melton Centrals)

Fisher has been a ball-magnet for years and has been a dominant figure since Kyneton’s entry to the RDFNL. Tarczon is an established star of the competition, consistently figuring in Bowen Medal voting and helping Riddell win two flags with his ability to get the pill in midfield and push forward to be a danger around goals. Meanwhile, Brancatisano’s reputation speaks for itself and he has delivered at Centrals, despite the club’s early-season struggles. Capable of rebounding out of defence or launching a long-range goal from anywhere near the attacking 50m.

Angus Nolte in action for Kyneton. Picture: George Sal

HALF-FORWARDS

Angus Nolte (Kyneton)

Jack Jedwab (Romsey)

Brodie Myers (Diggers Rest)

Nolte is the best young forward in the competition and can beat you on the ground or in the air. Myers is the best small forward in the competition, leading the Burras’ attack. Meanwhile, Jedwab is back after a VFL season with Essendon and is dangerous up the ground as a marking target or closer to goals.

FORWARDS

Alec Goodson (Melton South)

Dean Galea (Riddell)

Brad Mangan (Gisborne Giants)

Too top-heavy? This our version of Ablett, Dunstall and Lockett in the same forward line. Galea is the reigning league-leading goalkicker and – together with Goodson – tops this season’s charts with 27. Mangan is fourth with 23 majors, leading the fledgling Giants superbly.

FOLLOWERS

Chris Stewart (Wallan)

Sam Darley (Melton South)

Daniel Toman (Woodend-Hesket)

This trio is as good as any across local footy. Darley and Toman rack up possessions almost at will. The pair are among the competition leaders across a variety of midfield metrics. Toman won the Bowen Medal in 2023 and was runner-up last year. Expect Darley to figure strongly in 2025. Stewart is the reigning Bowen Medallist, pipping Toman, after a superb debut season with the Magpies. The dominant big man in the Riddell District.

INTERCHANGE

Matt Quigley (Gisborne Giants)

Ryan Mullen (Diggers Rest)

Danny Grmusa (Kyneton)

Brodie Hoyne (Macedon)

23rd: Nash King (Wallan)

A combination of experience and youth. Quigley has been superb, leading the Giants’ midfield, in the club’s debut season. Mullen has been one of Diggers’ best since arriving in 2022, becoming one of the league best onballers in the past 18 months. Grmusa has made an instant impact at Kyneton. Hoyne has been Macedon’s best in a tough start to the season and can make an impact in all three phases. Our 23rd man – a 21-or-under talent – is Nash King. Injuries cruelled his AFL Draft year last season and he has been nothing short of excellent as he bides his time at local level, while also VFL-listed at Carlton.

UNLUCKY

Tommy Alkemade (Riddell), Steve Boyall (Wallan), Tom Jackson (Lancefield), Broden Collins (Melton South), Jake Armistead (Melton Centrals), Campbell Wearne (Diggers Rest)