Sunraysia Football League’s top 40 players revealed
With eight rounds of football played in the Sunraysia league this season, who are the best players in the competition so far? Here’s who we’ve ranked in the top 40.
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The Sunraysia Football League is home to a mix of established football talent and stars on the rise.
But who are the best players in the league so far?
Here are the top 40 players from the first eight rounds of competition.
Dan Coghlan (Irymple)
The former Essendon VFL captain has been sensational since arriving at Irymple. Coghlan won the McLeod Medal for league best and fairest in 2019 and now co-coaches the Swallows. The gun midfielder has continued to show what he can do in 2021, putting teams to the sword by winning lots of footy, getting into the right spots and facilitating scoring. He’s the biggest star in the competition and worth the admission price.
Josh Carmichael (Merbein)
From his earliest senior appearances, it was clear Carmichael had talent. Now 21, he has begun to show what he can really do. Whether as a big-bodied midfielder or a sharpshooter forward, who can launch a long bomb off one step, Carmichael has class. Time playing in Darwin and a pre-season with SANFL club West Adelaide has also helped his development. Merbein are flying right now and Carmichael has been a key part of that impressive start.
Ash Rowe (Merbein)
As professional as they come, Rowe sets high standards for himself and rarely has an off game. He wins plenty of the football in the midfield, and is a clean user of the footy, but he also sneaks forward for goals regularly. A McLeod Medal winner in 2016, Rowe continues to give his all for the Magpies.
Nick Pezzaniti (Irymple)
He can kick them from impossible angles, he can get into the right spaces. Pezzaniti is a creative small-to-mid-size forward who can turn a game on its head in an instant, especially on the big stage. After his 11-goal haul against South Mildura, he is averaging almost five goals a game and is the clear goal kicking leader for the league with 34 for the season.
Nick Cottrell (Wentworth)
The combination of size, speed and the ability to take a good contested grab is hard to find. But Cottrell has shown all that and more since returning to the Roos from Adelaide, with highlights ranging from run-down tackles to flying pack marks in the goalsquare. Whether as a rock in defence, being let free to roam or playing the marking forward role, he can do plenty of damage.
Nick Mee (Irymple)
Another from the Swallows who can turn a game off his own boot. Mee has more influence than most when running through the midfield, with a deep bag of tricks to dig into. A player opponents must pay close attention.
Dallas Willsmore (Ouyen United)
A former Hawthorn AFL player, Willsmore has returned to his roots this year. His junior club Walpeup Underbool was one half of the merger that created the current Ouyen United, and the Kangas’ star recruit has brought plenty of class to the midfield. Willsmore played two AFL games at the Hawks and also had a stint in the SANFL after his AFL career.
Matt Spencely (South Mildura)
The first of two Riverland recruits to Sarah Oval to appear on this list, Spencely has certainly shown what he’s capable of during his side’s impressive start to the year. Damaging enough as a midfielder, he also has the craft to punish teams when resting forward.
Finn Ellis Castle (Mildura)
Covid interrupted Ellis Castle’s efforts to get on the radar of AFL clubs last season during his draft year. But 2021 might be a different story – and Mildura may see less of him because of it. The intercepting defender, who is a tough one-on-one opponent, was in fine form during appearances for the Demons early this season. A stint playing footy in Darwin was credited with building on his game. He’s now spending more time with the Bendigo Pioneers as an over-age player.
Ethan Gill (Robinvale Euston)
He’s only been back from a lengthy injury lay-off for two weeks. Even so, Gill quickly returned to the Eagles’ best players in his return game, again reminding the competition what he can do. The big ruckman certainly has an out-size influence on games when he’s up and flying. As well as his tap work, his marking around the ground is also a threat.
Matthew Min (South Mildura)
Another Riverland arrival, Matthew Min has shown his class as a small forward. He’s booted 25 goals from his eight starts, equating to more than three per game and putting him behind only Nick Pezzaniti on the league goal kicking list.
David Hankin (Imperials)
A small forward who can have a big influence, Hankin can kick goals from a variety of situations. He has 21 from his six starts, ranking third in the competition.
Wade Hancock (Wentworth)
Wentworth’s coach, who won a NEAFL premiership with Southport Sharks, is one of the stars of the competition when at his best. Splitting time between midfield and forward, Hancock can impact a game in a variety of ways. He had an eight-goal haul while playing as a stay-at-home forward because of a hamstring complaint.
Ryan Middlebrook (Robinvale Euston)
The classy midfielder who can at times make the game look effortless has had a solid start to 2021. Middlebrook has been named the Eagles’ best player in half their games.
Zac Wandin (Irymple)
Captain of the Swallows. Wandin is a reliable defender who can provide run as well as being a safe pair of hands. He is a key cog in the Irymple back line and made for an easy choice for interleague selectors.
Bryce Hards (Imperials)
A cousin to Imperials’ three Hards brothers, Bryce has joined the relatives this season having previously played for Upper Ferntree Gully in the Eastern league. He wins his own footy, is strong over the ball and uses it well. A very handy pick-up so far.
Ben Galbraith (Imperials)
One of the key pillars in defence at Imperials, with the athleticism to carry the footy out of the back line. A member of Sunraysia’s interleague team.
Matt Mazzini (Imperials)
The other key pillar in defence at Imperials. Can be trusted to hold his own at full back. Also took the trip to Sea Lake for interleague.
Vas Tuifao (Red Cliffs)
The Red Cliffs coach leads by example for his young side and has the club’s rebuild off to a promising start. New Zealand born and a convert from rugby league, he’s been setting his side up this season.
Jarrod McNally (Imperials)
The big forward earned best-on-ground in Sunraysia’s interleague clash. He’s kicked 11 goals for Imps this season but his impact extends far beyond the scoreboard.
Andrew Richardson (Robinvale Euston)
Robinvale Euston’s coach and a bundle of energy in the midfield, Richardson is a workhorse who leads by example. Wins plenty of the ball and is often a key part of his team’s success.
Zac Nelson (Mildura)
Capable of providing run off half back, Nelson has been one of the top players for Mildura this season as they make a bid for finals.
Warrick Brady (Ouyen United)
While it hasn’t been an ideal start to the season for Ouyen United, Brady has been a standout as a new arrival. He brings plenty of pace to the Kangas’ wings and has also booted eight goals.
Jackson McEwan (South Mildura)
Another impressive Bulldogs recruit, McEwan moved from the Goulburn Valley to Mildura for work and has quickly stood out on the footy field. A big tank means he has the fitness to run out games. Was one of Sunraysia‘s interleague best players.
Jayden Fox (Imperials)
A dangerous forward who has 17 goals to his name already, Fox has been notably consistent this year. In five of his six starts, he’s booted either three or four goals.
Jack Cottrell (Wentworth)
Another welcome returnee to the George Gordon Oval, Jack Cottrell can fit into different roles when required. He snapped the matchwinning goal against Ouyen United and was also named one of Sunraysia‘s best in the interleague win against North Central.
Josh Dean (Mildura)
In his first season at Mildura, Dean has impressed in the midfield. He’s also able to move forward and hit the scoreboard.
Tyler Curtis (South Mildura)
The Bulldogs’ versatile ruckman has had some big assignments this season and stood tall. He’s a problem for opposing rucks all over the ground.
Daniel Tung (Merbein)
Merbein’s playing co-coach is another quality presence inside the team’s midfield. He arrived this season from the Ballarat league, where he won two flags with East Point.
Carmelo Lando (Mildura)
More accustomed to a small forward role, Lando has spent more time in the midfield this season and has extended his impact further up the ground while still being a danger when near the goals.
Dom Scullino (South Mildura)
South Mildura’s 2019 best and fairest, Scullino started 2021 in fine form again, regularly featuring among his side’s best and also earning interleague selection.
Jimmy Kennedy (Merbein)
Always ready to take the game on and break the lines with a side step, Kennedy’s class has been an important aspect of Merbein’s impressive start to the season.
Jason Eagle (Irymple)
It was six seasons ago during an earlier stint with Irymple that Eagle kicked 117 goals. He’s back and while that kind of return might be a bit too much to ask, he does have 18 goals from five appearances, the second-best per game average in the league. Opposition defenders have to work overtime trying to prevent the ball getting in his hands.
Jake Reed (Red Cliffs)
The former Victorian state cricketer, who bowled speedy deliveries for the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League, has returned to footy this year. Despite perhaps not enjoying the same supply as other key forwards around the league, he’s kicked 18 goals from seven starts to sit equal fifth on the goal kicking table.
Anthony Matthews (Mildura)
Fourth on the league goal kicking tally with 19 majors, the veteran key forward and co-coach is showing strong leadership for the Demons.
Nando Cirillo (Irymple)
Cirillo has built a reputation for handling some tough defensive assignments and is a consistent performer for the Swallows.
Braidyn Turner (Robinvale Euston)
Lockdown defender Turner is consistently among Robinvale Euston’s best players each week and also helped keep North Central’s forward line in check during the interleague fixture.
Cambell Davison (Wentworth)
Davison provides outside run for the Roos and also was a standout for Sunraysia’s interleague team, named as one of the best players.
Andy Wall (Wentworth)
A sign of his talents as a key defender, Wall had signed on for a stint with Box Hill in the VFL last year before the intervention of Covid. Back at the Roos for 2021, he’s again swooping in for intercept marks down back.
Mark Jamar (Ouyen United)
At 37, the former All Australian is still winning hit-outs and giving teammates first use of the footy. It may not be the same stage as when he was playing for Melbourne in the AFL, but rival SFNL clubs often rotate two rucks to battle Jamar in an effort to reduce his influence.
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