Local footy: WRFL Division 1 players of the year named
From familiar faces to new recruits, there have been impressive performers in the WRFL this season. See who made our top 30 at the halfway point of the year.
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The second half of the WRFL season is set to kick off on Saturday as teams battle it out for the first premiership since 2019.
A number of familiar faces and new recruits have helped put their clubs in those positions for the remainder of 2022.
Here are the top 25 players of the year so far.
Ryan Allan, Caroline Springs
Arrived at the club with big expectations alongside Josh Cubillo from Aberfeldie and has delivered on those so far. Allan has booted 28 goals, including one haul of 11, from seven games to sit as the equal leader in the competition.
Harley Armstrong-Weston, Hoppers Crossing
One of several big men to feature on this list. Armstrong-Weston is a powerful athlete who has been with the Warriors since 2015 and continues to be one of their most important players.
Josh Bench, Altona
Another star in the middle of the ground for Altona. Bench’s two best on ground displays this season have come against Caroline Springs and Hoppers Crossing highlighting his ability to stand up against the WRFL’s best teams.
Kier Bol, Deer Park
Bol didn’t arrive at the Lions with as much fanfare as some of the club’s other recruits over the summer but they couldn’t be happier with him. His athletic profile allows him to run off opponents and also support his teammates in the air. A fantastic player to watch.
Mitch Bongiovanni, Caroline Springs
A name you will consistently find among the best for the ladder leading Lakers. With more talent being added around him, Bongiovanni has continued to thrive this season.
Nicholas Buykx, Point Cook
The Bulldogs skipper has produced some inspiring performances this year as his side aims to maintain its Division 1 status. He has been named in the best in every game since round 1.
Elliot Cavallaro, Altona
After time in the Goulburn Valley league, Cavallaro has only strengthened the Vikings’ premiership push. He has 28 goals this season to be the equal leader in the goal kicking race.
James Cleaver, Spotswood
A new face at Spotty this season and Cleaver has already made a sensational impact having been named in seven out of the eight games he has played.
Josh Cubillo, Caroline Springs
The big off-season recruit has delivered in big ways for the high flying Lakers with dominant displays in the middle of the ground. He has been named in his side’s better players on all but two occasions. He was enjoying a strong run of form before the bye.
Jack Dorgan, Hoppers Crossing
One of the class acts in a Hoppers Crossing side hoping to push for a premiership in the second half of the season. In seven games this season, Dorgan has been named in the best five times and kicked 13 goals.
Blake Green, Yarraville Seddon Eagles
As exciting as they come at the Eagles. Green has nine goals for the season to go along with nine goals.
Scott Greenhough, Deer Park
Greenhough has been one of the most dominant big man in the WRFL in recent years and 2022 has been no different. His ability to win hit-outs gives the Deer Park midfield plenty of first use.
David Iaccarino, Spotswood
An experienced head who continues to lead the way for his younger teammates. He remains one of the most damaging players in Anthony Eames’ side.
Jack Irvine, Spotswood
Irvine has shown he knows where the goals are this season with two games of multiple goals. Has been named in the best in all six of his games.
Hisham Kerbatieh, Sunshine
One a few bright spots for Sunshine in a difficult season for the last placed Kangaroos so far. He has kicked 21 goals in eight games, highlighted by eight on debut.
Josh Kuppen, Point Cook
Kuppen is thriving in his first full season of senior footy often playing against much bigger opponents. His best performance came in the big win over Sunshine before the Queen’s Birthday weekend.
Brian Lake, Caroline Springs
The former AFL man has shown an outstanding ability to get it done at both ends of the ground. In recent weeks he’s spent more time up forward with 19 goals from his last four outings.
Trent Lee, Werribee Districts
The experienced head continues to be a dangerous match up for any opposition defender inside forward 50 with 14 goals in nine games so far this season.
Ben McMahon, Werribee Districts
If you were to do a best and fairest count at Werribee at the halfway mark of the season, it’s likely McMahon would be out in front. He has continued to impress in the middle winning four best on ground awards so far in 2022.
Connor Menadue, Altona
Menadue has returned to local footy with a bang. He’s consistently found himself among Altona’s better players and has kicked goals in all but one game. He has 23 majors for the season and would find himself right in league medal contention.
Bailey Morrish, Deer Park
In his second season with the club, Morrish has continued to excel taking his game to another level this season. Consistently finds the footy and can hurt opposition sides with his fantastic skill.
Josh Mould, Werribee Districts
Mould has established himself as one of Division 1’s premier players after arriving from Wyndhamvale ahead of the 2019 season. The last two years of Covid interruptions have done very little to impact his footy either.
Cooper Pepi, St Albans
Finds plenty of the footy on a consistent basis and sits second in his club’s goalkicking with 13 majors. He has enjoyed start to life under a new coach.
Josh Pickess, Hoppers Crossing
Pickess can find his own footy but his coach has been most impressed with his defensive work throughout the season. He loves the hard stuff in and under. The winter months are made for him.
Liam Read, Caroline Springs
An injury brought Read to the club before the start of 2021 and Caroline Springs continues to get more than it has bargained for. Read has established himself as one of the premier big men in the competition, going to another level this season.
Jack Sims, St Albans
Despite playing just five games for the year so far, Sims continues to be one of his side’s most important players as they look to continue building in the second half of the season.
Ethan Taylor, Altona
Altona coach Corey McCall hasn’t been afraid to throw Taylor around throughout the season and he has continued to get the job done. He has been named among the Vikings’ best six times.
Jackson Viola, Hoppers Crossing
One of Hoppers Crossing’s most reliable players, Viola continues to impress given his nature to play right across the ground under coach Steve Kretiuk.
Sam Walker, Yarraville Seddon Eagles
Walker arrived at the club from Queensland and has made strong impressions on a young group. His quality ball use has come to the floor when his side has needed it most. Named in the best eight times this year.
Taylor Whitford, Altona
Limited to just four games so far this year, but Whitford’s importance to the premiership contender can’t be undersold. He’s had three best on ground displays in those games and has kicked 11 goals so far.
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