2025 Dowling Shield: The top-25 performers

The 2025 Dowling Shield has been highlighted by some of the state’s most promising youngsters. We break down 25 of the leading performers.

Reid McNamara put together a brilliant tournament for Northcote.

The 2025 Dowling Shield saw yet another high level of competition.

St Kilda prevailed in the grand final against Geelong in thrilling circumstances.

Now we’ve picked out 25 of the leading performers from the carnival.

Sandeep Ahuja, Fitzroy Doncaster

The young gun had the second most runs of any player in the competition with 280 at 56. Also hit a century. Showed his presence in the field with two run-outs.

Hamish Craig, Geelong

Played a key role with the bat and ball for the Cats as they made a run to the decider. Scored 234 runs at 29.25 and finished with 14 wickets in an impressive month of action.

Joshua Driscoll, Melbourne

Finished as the leading wicket taker for Melbourne after taking 14 at 16.86. Is a dominant force for his home club Mildura West with bat and ball.

Ben Excell, Camberwell Magpies

Led the attack for the Magpies with aplomb throughout the tournament, taking a wicket in all but one game.

Ashley Fernando, Greenvale Kangaroos

Finished as his side’s leading wicket taker with 10 wickets including best figures of 4-34. Also showed his class when he scored a half-century against Melbourne.

Sam Field, Melbourne

The Melbourne skipper showed plenty of promise with bat and ball throughout the tournament. He’s also recently been named in the Mornington Peninsula Country Week squad.

Sidney Johns, Melbourne

Clean behind the stump throughout the competition, finishing with 10 catches and a couple of stumpings. Helped to complete three run-outs.

Nikhil Reddy Kasarla, Casey South Melbourne

The Swans leading performer with the bat after scoring 224 runs in a tournament where he scored three half-centuries. Was thrown the ball and proved he could be a wicket taker.

Rupptaz Kharoud, Fitzroy Doncaster

A key reason why his side was able to make a deep run into the competition with 229 runs at 45.8 including two half-centuries. Also took six wickets.

Charlie Mahncke, Geelong

Finished as the competition’s leading run scorer, including finals, as he scored 306 runs at an average of 76.5. Also bobbed up with six wickets.

Charlie Mahncke put together a brilliant tournament. Picture: Mark Wilson

Nicanor Martel, Carlton

One of the best wicketkeepers throughout the competition. Martel finished with 10 catches and three stumpings behind the stumps. He was more than handy with the bat, scoring 162 runs, including two 50s, at 54.

Jackson Martin, Essendon

The young spinner is enjoying a brilliant season in his new colours after crossing from Yarraville Club. He finished with the most wickets, 16 at 9.38, but also showed his class with the bat scoring 236 runs at 59.

Luke McCann, Richmond

A shortened tournament after representing Vic Metro at the under-17 national titles. Took 10 wickets in the three games he played.

Reid McNamara, Northcote

Enjoyed a fine tournament with bat and ball. Hailing from Rovers United Bruck in the state’s northeast, McNamara finished with 240 runs at 48 including a high score of 120. Took nine wickets at 10.44 to cap off a brilliant summer so far.

Jack O’Brien, St Kilda

A leading all-rounder who produced when his side needed him. O’Brien started the tournament in hot form with the bat before he became a multiple wicket taker in his last six outings.

Ryder O’Brien, Footscray

Led the way with the bat for his side consistently scoring runs towards the top of the order. Also played as a wicketkeeper at times.

Ryder O'Brien was a leading performer for Footscray.

Ahmed Raza, St Kilda

Inside the top-10 run scorers for the competition and a standout feature of his game was his ability to occupy the crease and continue to turn the strike over.

Rajpratap Singh, Melbourne University

Led the way with the bat for Uni throughout the tournament with 173 runs at an average of 57.67. Plays most of his club cricket with Coburg.

Barnaby Smith, St Kilda

Started off slower than he would have liked with the bat but once he found form, the Saints skipper was tough to stop as he finished with a century and two 50s across the tournament. Took five catches as well.

Louis Stevenson, St Kilda

A leading all-rounder throughout the competition. Stevenson hit 270 runs at an average of 45 and chipped in with 13 wickets at 16.23.

Patrick Sullivan, Geelong

Hailing from Torquay, Sullivan led Geelong’s attack taking a wicket in all but one game. Took 10 wickets for the tournament.

Patrick Sullivan for Torquay. Picture: Mark Wilson

Arish Surani, Kingston Hawthorn

Finished with 13 wickets for the tournament highlighted by a best effort of 4-29 against Casey South Melbourne. Has played locally with Heatherdale and Mt Waverley this summer.

Jasper Tudor, St Kilda

Had some consistent performances with the ball throughout the tournament which he kickstarted with 6-19 against Ringwood.

Jonty Yates, Fitzroy Doncaster

One of the leading run wicket takers for the Lions as they reached the semis. He took at least one wicket in every game. His home club is Strathfieldsaye Jets.

Sash Yuvaraj, Prahran

Played a key role for his side throughout the competition as the leading run scorer. He was influential with the ball finishing with 10 wickets at 10.8.