Rising stars: The top 38 young players in MPFNL in 2023
Young talent runs deep in the MPFNL. We’ve named some of the best under-22s in the competition. Here’s who made the list.
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Young talent runs deep in the Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League.
From tough defenders to creative midfielders with explosive speed and key position guns, here are the top 36 rising stars in the MPFNL this season:
Robbie Arnott, Pearcedale
After a breakout 2022 season, the dashing wingman has fine-tuned his game this season to remain a young Dale on the rise.
Justin Barnes, Rye
Possesses great running capacity and can play on a wing or up forward. Good skills and courage, can take a strong mark and clean by hand and foot.
Heath Bidgood, Frankston YCW
A small defender who, in his first year of senior footy, is averaging 20 disposals a game. Quick learner who is improving each week.
Mitch Bluhm, Mornington
A raw talent, the athletic teenager has shown versatility being able to play at both ends of the ground and in the ruck for the Bulldogs’ seniors. He has loads of upside as he gets stronger.
Jackson Burke, Karingal
The son of Bulls legend Michael Burke, Jackson is only 16 and has played six senior games as a half forward, wingman. Good ball user, on both sides of his body, and strong in a contest.
Alex Canal, Devon Meadows
Small forward with speed and great goal sense.
Ben Charles, Langwarrin
A rebounding defender who plays wiser than his years and makes good decisions with ball in hand.
Nick Collier, Dromana
The grandson of Albert Collier (a six-time VFL/AFL premiership player, Brownlow medallist and three-time Copeland medalist). Nick, 19, is making a name for himself as a tough and talented player, who possesses pace and strength. Can play everywhere but he’s slotted into a back pocket for the undefeated Tigers, and does it well. Likely to go to the VFL next year.
Clayton Gay, Hastings
Quality player, left footer and good user of the football off half back. Smart, reads the footy well.
Seth Harris, Frankston Bombers
Fit and competitive, the dashing midfielder is equally adept on both sides of his body. Played every senior game in 2023 and named the Bombers’ best against Mt Eliza.
Henry Hayes, Rye
A dashing wing or half forward with good skills who has split his time between playing with the Dandenong Stingrays and Rye’s senior side, with good effect.
Mitch Harvey, Seaford
Developed nicely into an onballer, averaging close to 25 touches a game. He’s top age under 19s but played every game in the seniors; like his famous uncle Robert Harvey, Mitch has excellent endurance, the ability to run all day and he’s a good decision maker, composed with the ball and doesn’t blaze away.
Will Hose, Tyabb
The classy big man is captain of his club at only 21, and a two-time best and fairest winner.
Ben Kaddatz, Somerville
Under 19 eligible left-foot wingman, small in stature but hard at the contest; really calm with ball in hand, good user and plays his role well.
Calvin Lee, Bonbeach
The speedy mid/forward likes to take the game on and knows how to find the footy.
Harry Lloyd, Mornington
The mid/half back is super aggressive, quick and breaks the lines. Very fit and strong for a young fella. Takes the game on.
Nick MacDonald Girolami, Mt Eliza
Has found his place as a key back playing on any number of opponents, both big and small. He has great athleticism, is a strong mark and a great field kick. His development into a big body mid is the next move as opportunity presents throughout the year.
Darcy Murr, Frankston YCW
In his first season of senior football, he’s quickly becoming an important part of the reigning premier’s midfield and has a habit of hitting the scoreboard. On Box Hill’s VFL list.
Callum McNair, Rosebud
A 190cm teenage wingman who reads the game really well and has a great set of hands.
Josh Miller, Edi-Asp
The “Wizard” played in an Under 19s premiership with St Bede’s-Mentone Tigers last season. Midfielder with explosive pace who can break away from the contest.
Ned Moodie, Pines
A class above…he’s at Casey Demons in the tall forwards group but plays on a wing at Pines.
Jet Peckett, Bonbeach
The son of former St Kilda 252-gamer Justin Peckett, Jet is a speedy wingman with a huge tank and a knack of kicking clutch goals.
Aden Phillips, Red Hill
Has grabbed his opportunity to play in Red Hill’s senior side, with several impressive displays off half back.
Blake Pullen, Langwarrin
A running machine with elite foot skills and always willing to sacrifice his own game for the benefit of the team.
Jasper O’Neill, Mt Eliza
Has played every game...plays tall and has found himself working as part of the inside mid/forward posse. “He has a very big bag of tricks, some we are yet to see, some others he hasn’t yet made up,’’ Redlegs coach Steve Brattle said.
Hunter Quint, Seaford
Plays mainly at half back, a bit on ball, really quick, part of the Tigers’ leadership group, a level headed kid, who is a nice kick, has speed, makes good decisions nd is seen as a future leader of the club.
Lee Sheehan, Crib Point
The 19-year-old has impressed in both the midfield and on a wing for the Magpies, named in the Magpies best players on five occasions already this season.
Riley Simmons, Devon Meadows
The former state-level basketballer has made an impressive transition to football as a high-leaping ruckman for the Panthers. Racks up the hit outs.
Charlie Stokes, Sorrento
Small, skilful defender who takes all the kick out and breaks the game open with his creativity. He had thumb surgery after round one.
Liam Tidd, Rosebud
The 20-year-old is a gun forward/midfielder with clean hands and a great ability to find time and space in hotly-contested situations.
Max Urwin, Pines
Has blossomed over the past two years, plays off half back, really good ball user, very fit, averages 15km a game, defends well, really coachable. He’s in the Dolphins academy list.
Harry Van Raay, Karingal
He rucks in the Under 19s and plays in the backline in the seniors, but likely to develop into a key forward. Strong overhead, good decision maker. The nephew of Bulls legend Luke Van Raay.
Joel Vincent, Somerville
The under-19 eligible mobile key forward has played most of the season in the seniors, including a four-goal display against Karingal, and will continue to do so; athletic, quick, kicks the ball well.
Tom Vincent, Somerville
A Stingrays listed player, who has played three games for Somerville’s senior side and was best-on in two of those games; a strong key defender, undersized but plays tall and has the ability to rebound off half back. Good skills.
Max Walker, Edi-Asp
Only 18, he kicked three goals on debut for the Eagles as a tall half forward. Very clean with his hands below his knees. The nephew of former club coach Ben Walker.
Cruiz West, Pearcedale
Dynamic small forward who can win a game off his own boot, as he did against Mornington in Round & when he slotted six goals. Has kicked 24 majors in 2023.
Flynn Wood, Frankston Bombers
Playing solid football for both the Stingrays and the Bombers seniors. An ultimate team man who is last to get up from a pack.
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