Country football: The best players in Victoria this year

Country footy returned with a bang this year and the top players all shone on the big stage. Find out who were the best.

David Johnston

2 min read

September 28, 2022 - 11:21AM

The Weekly Times

Leongatha premiers and champions in Gippsland FL

Victoria

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Country footy has roared back to life in 2022 and the stars of the show have been the players from the biggest leagues to the smallest in every corner of the state.

Premiership cups have been presented and unforgettable finals matches played.

Flag droughts have also ended.

To celebrate a wonderful return from two years ruined by Covid, The Weekly Times has chosen the best players for 2022.

Here are the rankings.

Tom Marriott did it all in 2022 for Leongatha. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

1. TOM MARRIOTT (Leongatha, Gippsland)

What a season. Best-on-ground in a premiership-winning team that didn’t drop a game all year capped off a remarkable season. Becoming the club’s first player to win more than one league best and fairest in 2022 cements his standing as No.1.

2. SAM DOBSON (Koroit, Hampden)

Remains one of the most dominant key forwards in country footy after kicking 88 goals. Judged best afield in Koroit’s seventh successive premiership win.

3. LEIGH MASTERS (Yarrawonga, Ovens and Murray)

General of the Yarrawonga backline who won the Morris Medal in the lead-up to Sunday’s grand final against Wangaratta.

Brad Bernacki returned from Essendon VFL to help gisborne to the Bendigo league flag. Picture: Aaron Cook

4. BRAD BERNACKI (Gisborne, Bendigo)

Started the season so well he was picked up by Essendon’s VFL team, but still played enough games to finish tied for second in the Michelsen Medal and play a starring role in Gisborne’s premiership team.

Darley’s Brett Bewley was a star in his first season in the Ballarat league. Picture: Andy Brownbill

5. BRETT BEWLEY (Darley, Ballarat)

Delivered in spades in his first season with Darley. The former Fremantle wingman won the Henderson Medal to underline his high output all year before being injured late in the season.

Leopold captain Marcus Thompson. Picture: Mike Dugdale

6. MARCUS THOMPSON (Leopold, Geelong)

Finished runner-up in the Mathieson Medal and played in a losing grand final team, but there was nothing second rate about his season. Led from the front as captain by averaging close to 30 possessions a game.

Jack Leslie played a big part in Sale playing off in the grand final. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

7. JACK LESLIE (Sale, Gippsland)

Genuine star of the Gippsland league. Back at Sale full time, he proved his worth by playing in key defensive roles and in the ruck. Sale’s best player in the grand final loss to Leongatha.

8. KAINE STEVENS (Ouyen United, Sunraysia)

Former SANFL player who won the Sunraysia league’s best and fairest in his first season with Ouyen United. Dominant midfielder who booted 33 goals in 16 games as his team lost to eventual premiers Irymple in the preliminary final.

Blake Mullane starred in Frankston YCW’s premiership winning season.

9. BLAKE MULLANE (Frankston YCW, Mornington Peninsula-Nepean Div1)

Blitzed his rivals in the MPN league best and fairest count after joining the club from Frankston VFL team. Played a big part in the grand final win against Bonbeach also.