We look at the best AFL players to come out of the Murray Bushrangers
Victoria’s north-east has produced some of the greats of the game and the production line continues to churn out stars today. See who we think are the top 20 talents from the Murray Bushrangers.
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They breed them tall in the country and the list of top Murray Bushrangers talents is chock full of ruckmen and key forwards.
Victoria’s north-east has been a breeding ground for greats of the game from the start.
Three-time Brownlow Medallist Haydn Bunton Snr hailed from North Albury and today there are more than 40 players on AFL lists from the NAB League region.
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Such is the depth of talent some star players have missed out on this list, including two-time premiership Cat Shannon Byrnes and Hawk Taylor Duryea and Collingwood’s Jack Crisp.
Young guns such as Jy Simpkin, Dougal Howard and Lachlan Ash will no doubt push their cases in the coming years.
Check out our list of the top 20 players drafted since 1993 and have your say.
20. JAMIE ELLIOTT
JUNIOR CLUB: Euroa
DRAFTED: Pre-listed trade by Greater Western Sydney, 2011
Elliott arrived at Collingwood via a trade with Greater Western Sydney, which had pre-listed the small forward. His since become one of the most dangerous goal sneaks in the AFL, booting 171 goals in 120 games. Between 2013 and 2017, Elliott was a constant threat, kicking at least 30 goals in each season. However, injuries have struck him down in recent years. Despite his issues, he remains key to the Magpies success.
19. JARROD WAITE
JUNIOR CLUB: Benalla
DRAFTED: No.46 (father-son), 2001
One of the most exciting forwards on his day, Waite played 244 games and kicked 377 goals in stints with Carlton and North Melbourne after originally being drafted by the Blues as a father-son pick. Represented Victoria in the 2008 Hall of Fame tribute match and Australia in 2005. Waite can claim a small slice of AFL history as the first player ever to be substituted after being concussed in the Round 1, 2011 clash against Richmond.
18. JARROD HARBROW
JUNIOR CLUB: Mooroopna
DRAFTED: Rookie pick No.27 2006
Originally from Cairns, Harbrow moved south to pursue his football dream. Despite being overlooked in the 2006 draft, former Bushrangers coach Peter Dean recommended him to the Western Bulldogs who snapped up him as a rookie. After 70 games at Whitten Oval, the dashing half-back returned to Queensland in 2011 as an inaugural member of the Gold Coast Suns. Harbrow has become a key member of the club and claimed the 2018 best-and-fairest.
17. JACK ZIEBELL
JUNIOR CLUB: Wodonga
DRAFTED: No.9, 2008
Jack Ziebell has become synonymous with North Melbourne since arriving as the club’s top draft pick in 2008. The tough midfielder fits perfectly with the club’s famous “Shinboner Spirit”. Along with Ben Cunnington, Ziebell has been a key member of the Kangaroos engineroom for the past decade and his leadership was recognised with the captaincy in 2017, taking over from Andrew Swallow.
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16. BEN REID
JUNIOR CLUB: Wangaratta Rovers
DRAFTED: No.8, 2006
Between 2010 and 2013 was one of the best key defenders in the game but injuries have since hampered Reid’s output. The Bright product played a critical role in Collingwood’s 2010 premiership, helping shut down St Kilda twin towers Nick Riewoldt and Justin Koschitzke. He would be named All-Australian in 2011 and continued to excel. However, injury hit in 2014 and Reid played only four games. He’s managed more than eight games in a season only twice since.
15. JUSTIN KOSCHITZKE
JUNIOR CLUB: Brocklesby-Burrumbuttock
DRAFTED: No.2, 2000
“Kosi” will perhaps be better known for the series of concussions he suffered during his career and playing behind Nick Riewoldt but at his best few could stop him. Koschitzke claimed the 2001 Rising Star award, playing 20 games and was a dominant force with his athleticism and marking power. However, he would play only four matches in 2002 due to injury. Koschitzke’s best season came in 2009 when he played 23 games, kicked 48 goals and clunked 185 marks – both career highs.
14. JOSH FRASER
JUNIOR CLUB: Mansfield
DRAFTED: No.1, 1999
What a whirlwind introduction to AFL. After playing 21 games in each of his first two seasons, Fraser became a key part of the Collingwood midfield. He played 25 games and kicked 37 goals in 2002 and backed it up with 23 games in 2003 and with 340 disposals, 300 hitouts and 20 goals as the Pies reached back-to-back grand finals. Fraser continued to be Collingwood’s No.1 big man until Darren Jolly’s arrival in 2010 and missed the club’s premiership. He joined Gold Coast for two years before moving into coaching.
13. BEN McEVOY
JUNIOR CLUB: Dederang-Mt Beauty
DRAFTED: No.9, 2007
McEvoy had to bide his time early at St Kilda but managed 19 games in 2010, missing selection for the drawn grand final but playing in the replay. In 2011, he assumed the ruck mantle and played 22 games, collecting 320 disposals, 497 hitouts and 118 marks. However, with St Kilda on the decline he was traded to reigning premier Hawthorn in 2013. It was excellent timing as McEvoy became a key part of the team that then collected flags in 2014 and 2015. While he continues to be a strong contributor, this season looms as McEvoy’s last.
12. ADEM YZE
JUNIOR CLUB: Shepparton United
DRAFTED: No.16, 1994
There have been few better players for Melbourne than Yze in the last 30 years. A star in whatever position the coach asked him to play. Yze was one of the game’s elite kicks and led the league in 2001, 2002 and 2004. He claimed the Bluey Truscott Medal in 2001 and followed it up with All-Australian selection in 2002. He would shift forward later in his career, kicking a career-high 41 majors in 2005 but by 2007 found himself on the outer and was delisted after 2008 with 271 games to his name.
11. DANIEL CROSS
JUNIOR CLUB: Albury
DRAFTED: No.56, 2001
As reliable as the day is long. Cross was the ultimate professional at the Western Bulldogs, getting the absolute most out of his talent. Starting out as a tagger, he would become a ball-winner in his own right, averaging more than 24 touches a games between 2005 and 2011. Cross had a career year in 2008, playing 25 games, averaging a career-high 26.5 disposals and winning the Charlie Sutton Medal as the Bulldogs reached the preliminary final. He would finish his career with two seasons under Paul Roos at Melbourne.
10. TOM ROCKLIFF
JUNIOR CLUB: Benalla
DRAFTED: Pre-season pick No.5, 2008
Stunningly overlooked in the national draft, Brisbane hit the jackpot in the pre-season draft. Rockliff would become a Lions captain, two-time Merrett-Murray Medallist and All-Australian in his 154 games at the club. The old fashioned midfielder would average more than 24 disposals a game for seven straight seasons at Brisbane, including a league-high 32.72 (and 9.1 tackles) in 2014. However, he would take his talents to Alberton as a free agent in 2018 and has become a key part of Port Adelaide’s midfield since.
9. JOEL SMITH
JUNIOR CLUB: Yarrawonga
DRAFTED: No.5, 1994
First-round picks weren’t the sure-fire winners they are today but Smith was an exception. A star from the moment he walked into St Kilda. However, he would only play 58 games for the Saints as a contractual disagreement after a knee reconstruction in 1997 saw him leave the club. Hawthorn snapped him up in the 1998 pre-season draft and on his return would become a star off half-back. Smith’s 2001 was sensational, winning All-Australian selection and the Peter Crimmins Medal as Hawthorn reached the preliminary final. He would add another All-Australian jack in 2003 and called time in 2007. Sadly, the Hawks would win the premiership the following year.
8. CLAYTON OLIVER
JUNIOR CLUB: Mooroopna
DRAFTED: No.4, 2015
The last of three Murray Bushrangers to win the TAC Cup Morrish Medal. The bullocking Melbourne midfielder has charged up this list having only played five years of AFL football. But what an impact he’s had. Oliver has been a ball magnet since day one, averaging 20 disposals a game in his debut season then 30, 29, 30 and 25 (so far) in the seasons since. It’s seen him rewarded with Bluey Truscott Medals in 2017 and 2019 and All-Australian selection in 2018 and a regular tag from opposition coaches. Oliver has formed one of the best one-two combinations in the AFL with ruckman Max Gawn.
7. BRETT DELEDIO
JUNIOR CLUB: Kyabram
DRAFTED: No.1, 2004
One of the smoothest moving players of his generation, Deledio was a danger in any position on the ground. Snapped up with the No.1 pick by Richmond, “Lids” made an instant impact, playing all 22 games and collecting the Rising Star award with 43 of a possible 45 votes. He would go on to become a two-time Jack Dyer Medallist and two-time All-Australian in a decorated career. Sadly, Deledio wasn’t a part of Richmond’s breakthrough premiership. After making the move to Greater Western Sydney in 2017, Deledio was a member of the Giants team that was beaten by the Tigers in the preliminary final.
6. STEVEN KING
JUNIOR CLUB: Shepparton
DRAFTED: Fremantle expansion compensation pick, 1995
When Fremantle picked up Stephen O’Reilly, Geelong were given access to one 16-year-old as compensation and they chose wisely. King was plucked a year before he was draft eligible and became one of the league’s most dominant big men. The 202cm ruckman captained Geelong, won two Carji Greeves Medals, was named All-Australian in 2000 and was a member of the Cats’ drought-breaking 2007 premiership. Three years at St Kilda followed, including the 2009 grand final defeat to his former club.
5. DAVID MUNDY
JUNIOR CLUB: Seymour
DRAFTED: No.19, 2003
Arguably one of the all-time great under-rated players of the past 20 years. Mundy has quietly gone about his business at Fremantle and been a superstar of the competition. Surprisingly, he’s only won one Doig Medal and been All-Australian once in a career that last year surpassed 300 games and has Matthew Pavlich’s club games record in sight. Has played at least 20 games in 12 of his 15 seasons. Will live in Dockers folklore forever with two match-winning goals. The first with 40 seconds left in 2015 and the second after the siren in 2017 – both against Richmond.
4. STEELE SIDEBOTTOM
JUNIOR CLUB: Congupna
DRAFTED: No.11, 2008
Sidebottom hit the headlines before he was even drafted when he kicked 10.3 and collected 32 disposals and 13 marks in the Bushrangers’ 2008 TAC Cup grand final. He’s since gone on to become one of Collingwood’s most dependable players. Sidebottom has played at least 20 games in eight of his 11 completed seasons and averaged more than 25 disposals for the past eight years. A 2010 premiership player, two-time Copeland Trophy winner, All-Australian and Gary Ayres Medallist as the best player in finals in 2018. A modern day great in black and white.
3. FRASER GEHRIG
JUNIOR CLUB: Wodonga
DRAFTED: No.16, 1993
The first player ever drafted out of the Murray Bushrangers, Gehrig spent his early days up on a wing or at half-forward at West Coast, winning All-Australian selection as a forward pocket in 1997. A move to St Kilda saw him used at full-back initially before a shift to full forward heralded the arrival of the G-Train. Gehrig would become one of the most feared forwards in the AFL from 2003 to 2007, winning the Coleman Medal in 2004 and 2005. One of the strongest one-on-one players of his generation and is one of only three players (along with Matthew Lloyd and Lance Franklin) to have kicked 100 goals in a season since 2000.
2. BARRY HALL
JUNIOR CLUB: Broadford
DRAFTED: No.19, 1995
Started out at St Kilda and played in the 1997 grand final against Adelaide but it was at Sydney that “Big, Bad, Bustling Barry Hall” truly made his name. In his seven years in the Harbour City, Hall captained the 2005 premiership team, won a Bob Skilton Medal, was a three-time All-Australian and AFLCA Player of the Year. He would finish at the Western Bulldogs, adding another All-Australian jacket and Michael Tuck Medal as best-on-ground in the 2010 pre-season premiership. The first player in VFL/AFL history to kick 100 goals for three clubs and despite several on and off-field controversies, Hall was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2017.
1. STEVE JOHNSON
JUNIOR CLUB: Wangaratta
DRAFTED: No.24, 2001
Geelong’s greatest showman during its premiership dynasty and a threat anywhere on the ground. Johnson was capable of the miraculous in front of goal, kicking more than 40 goals six times. However, he wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty either, collecting more than 400 disposals in eight season. Johnson spent the final two years of his career at Greater Western Sydney, helping the Giants to consecutive preliminary finals. At the end of his 15-year, 293-game career, Johnson collected three premierships, three All-Australian jackets and the 2007 Norm Smith Medal. A walk up Hall of Fame inductee when he’s eligible.
