The ex-AFL names who lit up local footy in 2024
From the bush to the ‘burbs, former AFL players thrilled local football crowds across all corners of the state this year. We’ve named the best – and ranked the top 15. See who heads the list.
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From the bush to the ‘burbs, a raft of former AFL players thrilled local football crowds across the state this year.
Former North Melbourne champion Ben Cunnington — after 238 AFL games — was one of many who lit up the grassroots level in 2024.
He kicked 76 goals in 18 games to take Warrnambool to the Hampden league finals.
“It was unreal … it definitely brought a lot of joy to me,” Cunnington said of his return to local footy.
He was among our best and finished high in our ranked top 15.
See the other ex-AFL men who stand alongside him.
Ryan Abbott (Grovedale, Geelong)
The ex-Geelong and St Kilda ruckman averaged the second most Premier Data ranking points in the Geelong league, averaging 145, and had the most hit-outs to advantage for the season. Also placed equal 10th in the GFL best and fairest.
Ryan Bastinac (Pearcedale, Mornington Peninsula)
The former North Melbourne and Brisbane midfielder won the Dales’ best and fairest award. His consistent season included 12 mentions in the best from 16 games and 20 goals.
Tim Broomhead (North Albury, Ovens & Murray)
Led North Albury to its best finish in 14 years as coach, making the preliminary final in the Ovens and Murray league. Broomhead also had a good year on the field with the former AFL player winning the club’s best-and-fairest.
Luke Dahlhaus (Anakie, Geelong & District)
Brought his own footy for Anakie, averaging 160 Premier Data ranking points, 35 disposals, 20 contested possessions and nine clearances. After winning one game in three years, Dahlhaus helped the Roos to five wins in 2024.
Josh Deluca (Doncaster East, Eastern)
The former Fremantle and Carlton midfielder tied for the Premier Division Eastern club’s best and fairest this year with fellow ex-Docker Taylin Duman, despite missing four matches. Of his games 14 played, he featured in the best on 11 occasions as a standout for the Lions in an otherwise lean year on-field.
Trent Dennis-Lane (Dingley, Southern)
Dennis-Lane kicked 41 goals from 14 games for Dingley this year, excluding a five-goal, best-on-ground performance for Southern in its interleague win over the Riddell District league.
Taylin Duman (Doncaster East, Eastern)
The former Fremantle Docker edged out some formidable names for the centre half-back position in Eastern’s Premier Division Team of the Year. It was a tough season on-field for the Lions, sliding from preliminary final to a five-win, eighth-placed finish with several changes made each week – but Duman was ultra-consistent, managing to feature in all 18 home-and-away matches. And he tied for the top-flight club’s best and fairest.
Trent Dumont (Strathmore, Essendon District)
Among the leading midfielders in the competition throughout the season. Played 21 games and was mentioned in the Mores’ best in 16.
Aaron Edwards (Healesville, Outer East)
The ex-AFL Eagle, Tiger and Kangaroo kicked 68 majors to top the Division 1 competition goal kicking chart — and he slotted three goals to be among the Bloods’ best players in their grand final victory.
Jacob Edwards (Cheltenham, Southern)
Edwards shared Cheltenham’s best and fairest in his first season out of the AFL system. The ruckman’s ability to be a fourth midfielder when the ball hit the ground was crucial in the Rosellas’ second successive premiership.
Brett Eddy (Pearcedale, Mornington Peninsula)
The former Port Adelaide forward kicked 72 goals in 19 games to top the MPFNL Division 2 chart as he helped the Dales into the finals. He was also named at full-forward in the team of the year.
Cam Ellis-Yolmen (Wodonga Raiders, Ovens & Murray)
A standout for the Raiders in a tough season for the Ovens and Murray side. He won the team’s best and fairest and was among the best in 11 of 17 games.
Todd Elton (Murrumbeena, Southern)
Elton, who last played for Richmond in 2017, fired 58 goals in a premiership-winning Murrumbeena outfit this year. He was held goalless only twice and kicked five or more on five occasions.
Ryan Garthwaite (Montrose, Eastern)
A runaway winner of the Eastern league Division 1 goalkicking this season, with the ex-AFL Tiger slamming on 56 majors from just 13 games played. Injury cost the spearhead a few matches – he didn’t play after Round 13 owing to a foot complaint – but he still finished 13 goals ahead for the gong. And he was named at full-forward in the Division 1 Team of the Year.
Marty Gleeson (Uni Blues, VAFA)
Another outstanding season for the Woodrow medallist. Controlled the game across half back for the Blues and was one of the league’s leading intercept players.
Levi Greenwood (Healesville, Outer East)
The former North Melbourne and Collingwood midfielder clicked into another gear in finals to fire the Bloods to their first premiership in eight years. He was awarded the medal for best-on-ground in the Division 1 grand final.
Brayden Ham (St Mary’s, Geelong)
Ham made the decision to return to local footy from Geelong VFL and he was a class above for St Mary’s, finishing in the Geelong league team of the year. He played 45 games for Essendon.
Josh Jenkins (Sea Lake Nandaly, North Central FL)
Finished second in goalkicking despite missing a few games throughout the season. He kicked 50 goals in 11 games to help Sea Lake Nandaly to win back-to-back premierships.
Darcy Lang (Colac), Geelong
His numbers don’t jump off the page, but everything the ex-Carlton and Geelong touched turned to gold in the Geelong league. Booted 33 goals for his hometown club Colac and placed fifth in the league best and fairest.
Jack Leslie (Sale, Gippsland FL)
Had another strong year in the Gippsland league. Was named in the team of the year, as the best ruckman, in the Gippsland league. Continues to be one of the premier players in country footy.
Sam Lloyd (Deniliquin Rams, Murray FL)
Impressed as he returned to his junior club. The midfielder not only won the best and fairest in his first season but he also led the club goalkicking with 33 goals.
Jack Lonie (Cheltenham, Southern)
The former St Kilda livewire lit up the Southern league this year. He kicked 28 goals as the undefeated side’s leading midfielder. Lonie shared the Rosellas’ best and fairest and has re-signed for 2025.
Teia Miles (Portarlington, Bellarine)
The former Hawk took the mickey in his first year in the Bellarine, averaging more Premier Data ranking points than any other player with 153 per game to go with 36 disposals, a lazy 30 kicks and seven clearances. Miles, who played 19 games with Hawthorn, helped Portarlington snap its 68-game losing streak.
Aaron Mullett (Wandin, Outer East)
The former North Melbourne and Carlton forward booted 59 goals in 17 games to help Wandin play off in another grand final.
Kurt Mutimer (Narre Warren, Outer East)
Another premiership for the former West Coast Eagles midfielder, who also won Narre’s best and fairest award after performing at a high level week in, week out.
Lochie O’Brien (Wangaratta Rovers, Ovens & Murray)
Played a pivotal role in Rovers winning the premiership. The former Carlton midfielder played 20 games and was among the best players in five of them.
Tim O’Brien (Doncaster East, Eastern)
A maiden season in the Eastern league’s Premier Division netted a leading 37 goals for Doncaster East from 14 matches immediately after his decade-long AFL career with Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs finished last year. His campaign was highlighted by bags of five against Vermont, Noble Park and Norwood on the way to finishing inside the top 10 for goals kicked in one of the state’s strongest local football competitions.
Fletcher Roberts (Mulgrave, Eastern)
The AFL premiership Bulldog kicked 30 goals from 15 matches in Eastern’s Division 2 this season on the way to selection on the half-forward flank in the Team of the Year. His biggest bag – eight – came against East Burwood in Round 14, while also kicking four apiece against grand finalists Boronia and Croydon.
Ahmed Saad (Pascoe Vale, Essendon District)
In his first season with the Panthers, the ex-St Kilda forward kicked 53 goals in 16 games as Pacco reached the grand final. Remarkably Saad’s form came despite tearing his ACL in pre-season, only the first four games of the season.
Shane Savage (Pines, Mornington Peninsula)
Another outstanding season by the ex-Hawk and Saint, with 10 mentions in the best players in his 18 games while using his pace and skill.
Jordan Schroder (Daylesford, Central Highlands FL)
Helped the Central Highlands team to win the premiership this year and was unlucky not to be best on ground in the grand final. A big-bodied midfielder who is one of the best in the league.
Billie Smedts (Thomson, Geelong & District)
The 47-game Cat and Blue helped lead Thomson from an elimination final to a premiership. He averaged 27 disposals, 15 contested possessions, eight clearances and 125 Premier Data ranking points across the season.
Tim Smith (South Belgrave, Eastern)
Another consistent season for the ex-Demon, putting on 46 majors from 19 games to finish second in Eastern’s Division 1 goalkicking on the way to selection at centre half-forward in the Team of the Year.
Jackson Trengove (Cobram, Murray FL)
Played all but one game for Cobram this year and was their leading forward in the Murray league. He kicked 53 goals.
Kayne Turner (Balwyn, Eastern)
Heads turned when the Eastern league powerhouse signed the former AFL Kangaroo in November last year mere weeks after his career in the big-time came to a close. And unsurprisingly, he would end up being one of Balwyn’s most influential on the ground in its nailbiting Premier Division grand final win, while also putting together a 20-game season as one of the club’s prominent playmakers through the midfield and in attack.
Brandon White (Beaconsfield, Eastern)
The ex-St Kilda man can be played just about anywhere – but he earned selection at centre half-back in Eastern’s Division 1 Team of the Year off the back of 15 matches played in his second season back at the club.
Tyrone Vickery (Edithvale-Aspendale, Mornington Peninsula)
The ex-Tiger and Hawk played a key role in the Eagles’ Division 2 premiership. Providing a strong target, he kicked 35 goals in 14 matches, including a bag of four in the grand final.
TOP 15
15. Brent Macaffer (Old Eltham Collegians, Northern)
Returned to the Northern league this season and won the Division 3 league best-and-fairest and Coaches’ MVP double – the second time he’s achieved the feat. The Collingwood premiership player made 17 appearances for the Turtles and was in the best an incredible 14 times.
14. Lin Jong (Mulgrave, Eastern)
Another big season for the ex-AFL Bulldog, running second for the Eastern league’s Division 2 best and fairest, polling 24 votes and winning a Team of the Year nod in the centre – all despite missing a handful of matches. In fact, in the 15 games he played this season, he was named in the best in 14 – the only exception owing to an early exit from the ground due to injury. He won Mulgrave’s best and fairest after hauling in an average of some 29 disposals, 17 contested possessions and nine clearances a match.
13. Luke Dahlhaus (Anakie, Geelong & District)
Brought his own footy for Anakie, averaging 160 Premier Data ranking points, 35 disposals, 20 contested possessions and nine clearances. After winning one game in three years, Dahlhaus helped the Roos to five wins in 2024.
12. Corey Ellis (Keilor, Essendon District)
As classy as they come for Mick McGuane’s side who made it two premierships in a row. Ellis has proven to be one of local footy’s best goalkicking midfielders.
11. Jarryd Brander (Wentworth, Sunraysia)
Was the leading goalkicker in the Sunraysia league, falling eight goals short 100. Brander helped Wentworth reach the grand final and kicked 24 goals during the finals series.
10. Matthew Scharenberg (Olinda Ferny Creek, Outer East)
The former Collingwood defender had another unbelievably consistent season, named in the Bloods’ best players on 18 occasions in 20 games, including a sizzling display in a finals win in Premier Division. Playing a “forward connector’’ role, he also swung into attack at times to kick vital goals.
9. Brett Bewley (Darley, Ballarat FL)
The former Docker continues to dominate the Ballarat league and had another successful year. The two-time Henderson medallist finished second in the league medal. The midfield gun played 17 games and was among the best in 11, kicking 18 goals.
8. Ryan Garthwaite (Montrose, Eastern)
A runaway winner of the Eastern league Division 1 goalkicking this season, with the ex-AFL Tiger slamming on 56 majors from just 13 games. Injury cost the spearhead a few matches – he didn’t play after Round 13 owing to a foot complaint – but he still finished 13 goals ahead for the gong. And he was named at full-forward in the Division 1 Team of the Year.
7. Jake Aarts (Dromana, Mornington Peninsula)
The ex-Richmond fan favourite had another excellent season, making the Division 1 team of the year, finishing high up in the league medal and being named Dromana’s best player in the grand final.
6. Jed Anderson (Hoppers Crossing, Western)
Enjoyed a stunning season in the middle for the Warriors as they ended a 20-year premiership drought. Was named in the best in 15 of his 16 games including the best on ground medal on grand final day.
5. Fergus Greene (Sandhurst, Bendigo)
Greene moved back to his home club and helped Sandhurst to win the premiership. He kicked 83 goals to lead the competition goalkicking.
4. Sam Murray (Wangaratta Rovers, Ovens & Murray)
The Wangaratta Rovers coach not only guided his team to a premiership but had a stellar year himself. He played 20 games and kicked 14 goals while also having 37 disposals in the grand final win over Yarrawonga.
3. Josh Begley (Boronia, Eastern)
Two seasons back at local level and the ex-AFL Bomber and former Frankston VFL gun has as added as many premiership medals to his collection. The midfielder and forward capped off a competition-leading 54-goal year with a best afield honour in Boronia’s Division 2 grand final win this season, kicking four majors – including two miracle snaps – to help the Hawks to a second consecutive crown and long-awaited promotion.
2. Ben Cunnington (Warrnambool, Hampden FL)
While he played in the midfield for most of his AFL career, this year for Warrnambool he played as a forward and led the goalkicking in the Hampden league. Cunnington kicked 76 goals in 18 games and was among the best in 11 of them.
1. Tom Williamson (Ararat, Wimmera FL)
The ex-Carlton man should be a back-to-back winner of the best and fairest in the Wimmera league. Last year he missed out after being suspended but this year he made amends, winning the vote count. Playing as both a midfielder and a forward target, Williamson kicked 66 goals in 19 games, helping the team to win the premiership.
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