Rising stars: The top players under 21 in SFNL in 2023
Young talent runs deep in the SFNL. We’ve named the best under-21s in Division 1 through 4. Here’s who made the list.
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Young talent runs deep in the Southern Football Netball League.
From tough defenders to creative midfielders with explosive speed and key position guns, here are the top rising stars in the SFNL this season:
Toby Arms, Springvale Districts
The young ruck has impressed a lot this season with his willing to compete when often outsized. He loves playing in the ruck, which is half the battle. He was named in the best in the Demons’ two critical wins over St Paul’s McKinnon and Port Melbourne Colts.
Lachlan Benton, Dingley
By nailing the fundamentals, Benton has become a bit of a coach’s dream. He’s kicked 14 majors this year and been named in the best on three occasions.
Youseph Dib, East Malvern
The smooth-moving midfielder is enjoying a terrific year in the engine room at East Malvern after being a regular in North Melbourne’s VFL side last year.
Josh Finnegan, Doveton
Finnegan has played eight senior matches this season, fulfilling whichever role Doves coach Michael Cardamone sets him.
Josh Godden, Murrumbeena
Starting in the Lions’ engine room, Godden is averaging over 20 disposals a game. He had a treble of weeks where he was the best player on the ground.
Liam Hasler, Endeavour Hills
Playing in the middle, Hasler has a handy knack of hitting the scoreboard. In his seven matches this season he has kicked four goals and been named in the best twice.
Caleb Hardisty, Frankston Dolphins
An enormous ruck that gives his midfielders first use. He stands over 200cm and is showing plenty of signs as he progresses at senior level.
Makaio Haywood, Hampton Park
In his eight matches this season, Haywood has been named in Hampton Park’s best on four occasions, including two best afields against Black Rock and Murrumbeena. In a sign of his impact on games, Haywood has kicked a goal or been named in the best in all but two occasions.
Brodie Howie, Doveton
A teenager showing he is capable at senior level by playing every match this season.
Rex Kilburn, Cheltenham
Kilburn has been a regular on the rising stars lists and it’s understandable why. The dynamic player has hit the scoreboard in five of his seven matches this season.
Lachie Lamble, Dingley
With pace to burn, many opposition coaches feel Lamble’s line-breaking capabilities would be better served on a VFL ground.
Jordan Letts, Dingley
An unassuming teenager that patrols the Dingoes’ back six. Letts has rarely been beaten this year while also finding a fair bit of the footy himself.
Luke Long, Frankston Dolphins
It would be easy to forget Long is just 20 considering he has played senior footy for three seasons. The damaging left-footer plays a number of roles but is typically at his best when he playing the quarterback role in the back third.
Jordan Maloney, Port Melbourne Colts
A defender that reads the play really well and makes the right decisions with ball in hand. Maloney has played seven matches for the Colts this season
Alec and Declan McComb, Cheltenham
The twin brothers have pace, smarts and, somehow, still have upside. The pair are key players in the well-oiled machine that is Des Ryan’s Cheltenham.
Sonny Moore, East Brighton
The seventeen-year-old has played just one senior game for the Vampires but coach Nick Jewell likes what he sees. Moore has commitments with school and captaining the under-17 side, but is expected to slot back in once the holidays roll around. The supreme athlete plays in the ruck in juniors and roams across half back in the seniors.
Oliver Moran, Cheltenham
The nineteen-year-old impressed across half back and on the wing last year and has played all nine games with the Rosellas this season. He has kicked five majors and been listed among the best twice.
Tysen Nguyen, Murrumbeena
Nguyen has shown no signs of slowing down since winning an under-19 best and fairest two years ago, playing regular senior footy in a finals bound side.
Matthew O’Brien, St Paul’s McKinnon
A tough, inside midfielder who wins his own footy. O’Brien was originally left off the Sandringham Zebras’ list but his form for the Bulldogs this season has seen him gain rapid interest from Collingwood.
Angus Oldaker, Heatherton
The 20-year-old forward has had his moments this season, being mentioned in the best on three occasions.
Luke Peters, Endeavour Hills
A talented young defender that has captured the eye of coach Matt Peake more than most this season, being named in the Hills’ best in seven of his nine matches.
Dareo Rogers, Murrumbeena
The talented defender has gone about his business the right way this year. He has played nine matches in 2023, earning solid praise from Lions’ coach Liam Wilson.
Sam Shaw, South Mornington
Shaw is a favourite down at Citation Reserve. The medium-sized forward works up the ground to find a stack of the footy before storming back down the stretch to hit the scoreboard. He is a part of the Southern academy directed by St Kilda star Brad Crouch.
Eren Soylemez, Port Melbourne Colts
A crafty player, Soylemez has 12 majors in nine matches. He has hit the scoreboard in seven of his nine appearances and was named in the Colts’ best for six consecutive weeks.
Deekon Stapleton, Doveton
The nephew of Doves 2019 premiership hero Matt, Deekon has played each of the nine possible matches at senior level this season.
Holly Stephens, Skye
Daughter of club legend Corey Stephens, Skye has high hopes for Holly. Playing in the ruck in the senior women’s side, Stephens, 17, is often competing against girls twice her age. The Bombers are hoping she continues on to bigger and better things.
Blake Treble, Skye
As hard as a cats head, Skye love this kid. He’s played nine matches for the Bombers this season across half-forward for the return of five goals. While some younger players are happy to let the ball come to them, Treble wastes no time in finding it himself.
Jack Tysoe, Heatherton
An 18-year-old midfielder who has played eight games this year after a strong debut season in 2022.
Ethan Williams, Port Melbourne Colts
The teenager is presenting beautifully for the Colts when he isn’t playing rep footy. With a beautiful kick, he has been given the responsibility of kicking out for Josh Caddy’s side. He had over 40 possessions in a match earlier this season.
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