Rising stars: GFL’s top 50 young players in 2022
The Addy’s local footy experts have surveyed the league and crunched the numbers to determine the next generation of Geelong superstars. Find out who made the cut.
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Everyone who follows the Geelong Football League knows who Nick Dixon, Harry Benson and Darcy Lang are.
But who are the next crop of superstars in the GFL?
Read about the top 50 young stars here.
Plus, see what their stats were in the round just gone here.
Find out where they are ranked against the competition’s best players in the GFL Power Rankings here.
Break down the round’s statistic leaders here.
Defenders
Sam Witherden – North Shore
Set to turn 20 in June, Witherden is already stringing impressive performances together for North Shore.
Witherden is a unique player, starting the GFL season at full back where he kept some of the competition’s best forwards quiet.
The Werribee-listed player then moved into the midfield for the Seagulls after Noah Lever was called up to Williamstown, and has recorded more than 30 disposals each game.
Witherden is averaging 24.7 disposals, 6.1 marks, 3.7 inside 50s and 2.3 tackles per game so far this season.
Lachlan Handley – Geelong West
The dashing half back flanker has built a solid season for Geelong West in 2022.
Handley is averaging 20 disposals across his four games, as well as four marks, an inside 50 and a tackle per game.
The 21 year old’s best game came in round 1, when he had 27 disposals (63 per cent effective), four marks and an inside 50 in the one-point loss to Leopold.
Darcy Brown – Bell Park
Playing as Bell Park’s key defender this season, Brown has started his Dragons career strongly.
Standing at 193cm, the 19 year old has been a constant for the Dragons, missing just one game in round 5.
He is only averaging 7.5 disposals per game, but he has been tasked with tough match ups like Colac’s Adam Garner and Luke Hillman and Grovedale’s Tom Gillett and Jordan Erskine.
Jett Matthews – Leopold
The 21-year-old recruit made his debut for Leopold in 2022, and has quickly become an important player for the side.
Matthews had a season-high 22 disposals against Lara in round 8, and has averaged 14 disposals across his season.
Harrison Whyte – Grovedale
The rebounding half back has been extremely important for the way Grovedale exits the defensive half of the ground, with the Tigers opting to use Whyte as an outlet.
But his versatility has been shown at times in 2022, with Whyte moving into the centre square and being used as a midfielder who has poise with the ball in his hand.
The 21-year-old defender has averaged 22.1 touches per contest, as well as 3.8 marks per game.
Zak Mirkovic – Bell Park
A rebounding back, Bell Park’s Zak Mirkovic has come through the Dragons’ junior program to flourish as a premier ball mover for the senior team.
Averaging 19.2 disposals across his six games of GFL football, Mirkovic’s run and carry thrusts the ball forward for the Dragons, often starting attacking chains.
The 19 year old has also taken 4.7 marks, laid 1.8 tackles and recorded 1.8 inside 50s in the 2022 season so far.
Sam Bourke – St Mary’s
One of the competition’s premier defenders already, Sam Bourke is set to miss the majority of the GFL season after having surgery on an injured ankle.
In his three games at the level, the 20 year old was averaging 10.7 disposals per game, and will train with Geelong’s VFL side when he returns from injury.
Ben Worme – Bell Park
Worme has been impressive for the Dragons this year, getting his chance to represent Geelong’s VFL side for two games.
Rotating between the back line and midfield, Worme has averaged 17.2 disposals from his five GFL games, as well as 3.3 marks, 1.2 inside 50s and three tackles per game.
The 20 year old has not found a consistent position in his two games at the VFL level, listed as starting ruck and full forward in his two games.
Instead, he played mainly back and forward, averaging 11.5 disposals, 4.5 marks and a tackle per game.
Joel O’Dwyer – St Joseph’s
Holding down a key position post is never easy at a young age, after moving clubs in the off-season.
O’Dwyer made the move to the GFL from Yarrawonga, and has seamlessly slotted into full back for the Joeys in 2022.
The recruit has averaged 7.3 disposals per contest, playing a lockdown role for the side.
Rowan Gough – South Barwon
The Swans full back has been given the task of some monsters in the GFL, and the youngster has stood tall for the premiership contenders.
Gough made his senior debut in 2021 after developing through the South Barwon junior program, and has become a mainstay in the back six for the Swans.
Often paired with star Jack Driver, Gough is averaging 10.1 disposals per game, but the tall back’s mobility allows him to play on smaller opponents on the flanks.
Jak Tute – Grovedale
The 19 year old has found a some consistency in the back half for Grovedale in 2022.
Tute has averaged 21.4 touches per game, not missing a match for the Tigers in 2022 after graduating from the Geelong Falcons last year.
He had 30 disposals (17 contested), five marks, seven inside 50s, five tackles and a goal in Grovedale’s round 4 loss to St Joseph’s.
Jack Leonard – North Shore
Leonard has been training with Geelong’s VFL squad, but has played all but one games for the Seagulls.
Coming off half back, he has averaged 26.7 disposals per game, including a 38-disposal performance in round 8 against Colac.
Oscar Morrison – St Joseph’s
It is a young defensive spine at St Joseph’s, but pair Oscar Morrison and Joel O’Dwyer have formed a good relationship down back.
Morrison holds down a key defensive post for Joeys, and has averaged 10 disposals a game in the back half.
Midfielders
Tylar Watts – Geelong West
The 22-year-old Giants ruck nominated for the mid-season draft after a strong start to the GFL campaign.
Watts has averaged 28.4 hit outs per game, and is equal second for most taps in the competition.
On top of that, Watts has averaged 15.1 disposals, five tackles and 2.7 marks per game.
Kobe Annand – North Shore
Annand has made a seamless transition from the BFL to the GFL in 2022, and continues to impress as a premier big man in the competition.
The North Shore ruck has averaged 28 hit outs per game in 2022, as well as 14.9 disposals across his seven games.
He was named the BFL ruck of the year in his first season of senior football in 2021.
Henry Walsh – Colac
Walsh is just one of a handful of talented young talls plying their trade in the GFL this season.
The 19-year-old brother of Carlton superstar Sam Walsh is much taller than his sibling, and is a key cog in Colac’s midfield mix.
Walsh is leading the competition in total hit outs this season, with the big man averaging 30.6 per game.
Noah Lever – North Shore
Noah Lever has made a case for being one of the top players in the GFL, regardless of age.
After a strong opening month of football for North Shore, the 20-year-old midfielder moved up to Williamstown to ply his trade in the VFL and has performed well.
In his four GFL games this season, Lever has averaged 27.5 disposals, two marks, five inside 50s, 5.8 tackles and almost a goal a game.
In the VFL, Lever is averaging 12.7 disposals, 2.8 marks and 5.8 tackles per game.
Noah Gribble – Geelong West
Since returning to the Giants after a stint of VFL football for Werribee, Gribble has collected the ball like a man-possessed.
The 19 year old has averaged 34.3 disposals per game in that time, and 31.3 across the GFL season.
For Werribee, Gribble has averaged 16.8 disposals, as well as 4.3 marks and 2.3 tackles per game.
Baxter Mensch – Geelong West
Only just turning 22 years old, Mensch is already a Mathieson Medal fancy after a stunning start to the season.
The ball-winning midfielder is second in the GFL for disposals, averaging 32.4 per game, with five of his seven games recording more than 30 touches.
Mensch wins the ball in the contest, and will be in the mix with North Shore’s Nick Dixon and St Mary’s Harry Benson for the prestigious award at the end of the season.
Sam Donegan – St Albans
In his first year at St Albans, Donegan has turned into a genuine midfield star at the Supersaints.
Donegan is averaging 23.9 disposals per game for St Albans, as well as kicking a goal a game.
On top of that, he has collected 3.1 marks, 3.8 inside 50s and 4.5 tackles per game.
In round 7, Donegan had 36 disposals, nine marks, four inside 50s, six tackles and four goals.
Fraser Marris – Bell Park
The 20-year-old midfielder has continued to fill out as he takes on more responsibility in the young Bell Park side.
Marris is on Geelong’s VFL list and recently made his season debut for the side.
He collected 17 disposals, two marks and three tackles, but kicked an inaccurate 1.4 in round 7 against North Melbourne.
In the GFL, Marris has averaged 20 disposals, 3.8 marks, 1.3 inside 50s and four tackles per game.
Fraser Duryea – South Barwon
Able to fill a void off a half back or on a wing, Duryea’s ability to run provides South Barwon plenty of spacing.
He has averaged 16.7 disposals per game in a variety of positions in 2022, featuring for the Swans’ senior side six times.
Hamish Lucas – Bell Park
Taking on more responsibility in the midfield, Lucas has averaged 16 disposals per game for Bell Park.
He has averaged 16 disposals and 6.3 tackles per contest in 2022.
Emmanuel Ajang – Geelong West
The explosive midfielder, who can also play off the half back flank, has been a strong contributor for the Giants in 2022.
Ajang has averaged 23.5 disposals in his six games this season, as well as 4.3 inside 50s and 4.8 tackles per match.
The 20 year old is on Werribee’s VFL list, but has not played a game there this season.
Doyle Madigan – South Barwon
Madigan is a clean midfielder who has been an important piece for South Barwon in 2022.
The 21 year old is averaging 22.8 disposals per game through eight weeks of GFL football.
Paired with Todd White in the centre, Madigan came runners up in South Barwon’s best and fairest in 2021.
Connor Linehan-Cunningham – Lara
Rising Cats midfielder Linehan-Cunningham has not missed a game in 2022 and has been an important part of the side’s rebuild.
Averaging 17.1 disposals per game, Linehan-Cunningham is also a tackling machine, laying seven per game and a season-high of 13 in round 7.
Darcy Chirgwin – St Mary’s
Finding a consistent position at St Mary’s is no easy feat, but Darcy Chirgwin has earned his role for the Saints.
Often found on a wing and a forward flank, Chirgwin is averaging 18.7 disposals and five marks per game, and has also kicked four goals for the season.
Tanner Lovell – Geelong West
Mainly used as an outside midfielder and on a wing, Lovell finds plenty of space on the expanses of West Oval.
The Giant is averaging 27.1 disposals per game, including collecting 32.5 across his past two matches.
Lovell also takes 4.3 marks, sends the ball inside 50 3.67 and lays 4.1 tackles each contest.
Isaac Wareham – Bell Park
The VFL-listed midfielder has earned his two games for the Cats side this season.
Wareham, who is 20 years old has averaged 23 disposals per game for the Dragons, as well as six marks, 1.7 inside 50s and 3.3 tackles per game.
In the VFL, he has averaged nine disposals, 1.5 marks and 1.5 tackles this season.
Todd White – South Barwon
Now a mainstay in a strong midfield, Todd White has been very impressive at the Swans in 2022.
White is averaging 21.6 disposals per game for South Barwon, but missed the side’s 160-point win against St Albans in round 8.
Finlay Parish – Grovedale
The Grovedale winger has been a mainstay out wide for the Tigers this season, with the 21 year old on the opposite side to experienced midfielder Dale Kerr.
Parish has averaged 16.3 disposals per game, with three games collecting more than 20 touches.
He also takes 5.8 marks per game, and provides his side a great outlet from defence before using his legs and attacking with the ball in hand.
Kane Loftus – St Mary’s
Making his senior debut in 2022, Loftus has a unique size for a winger.
Tall enough to be a marking target but with enough endurance and speed to play on the expanses of the wing, Loftus creates a difficult match up for his opponents.
He is averaging 13.5 disposals, four marks and 1.5 goals in his senior Saints career to date.
Forwards
Phil Moimoi – Geelong West
Moimoi plays as a high half forward for the Giants, with the strong flanker able to push up the ground and collect plenty of the ball.
The 21-year-old averages 20.9 disposals, 5.1 marks, 5.4 inside 50s and five tackles per game, and has kicked 4.7 in his seven matches this season.
In his last month of football, Moimoi has not recorded less than 20 disposals, with a four-game average of 24.3 disposals per match.
Lachlan Bond – Newtown & Chilwell
The 21-year-old forward had a blistering start to the 2022 season, booting two bags of five goals in the opening fortnight of football.
Since then, Bond struggled through Covid and is currently suspended for striking an opponent in round 7.
But Bond has still kicked 17 goals in his six games this season, and is the key target for the Eagles as they mount a premiership challenge.
Aiden Gras – St Joseph’s
The young forward at St Joseph’s in just his first season in the seniors, but Gras is putting together a consistent year in the forward 50.
Gras has kicked 12.10 in his six games this season, including three games of three goals.
He did not play in round 7, but Gras returned to the field in round 8 and kicked three goals against Bell Park, making it three consecutive games with three majors.
Matt Keast – St Mary’s
The 20 year old has been utilised around the ground when he features for St Mary’s, but Keast has also been playing football for Werribee in 2022.
Keast is averaging 16.6 disposals per game for the Saints in 2022, as well as 4.8 marks, 2.4 inside 50s and 3.4 tackles.
Aaron Hawker – Colac
The 19-year-old Tiger was a late inclusion into the round 1 side and has done well to hold his spot.
Hawker has averaged 10.3 disposals, 2.1 marks and 3.4 tackles through his seven games.
Keidan Rayner – St Mary’s
The versatile small can play forward and back, often having an impact at either end of the ground.
Rayner has not missed a game for the Saints in the past two seasons, and the 21 year old is averaging 12 disposals per game in 2022.
Connor Giddings – Leopold
The 20-year-old forward is still filling out his big frame, but has slotted in nicely and is play good football for the Lions.
Giddings is averaging 9.1 disposals per game and has kicked three goals, but his true value comes in providing a marking target in the air and an ability to bring the ball to ground for his small forwards like Mitch Patten.
Jack Sarcevic – Bell Park
Starting to run through the midfield more in 2022, Sarcevic has become an important member of the Dragons’ rotation.
He is still getting decent time in the forward line for Bell Park, and is averaging 14 disposals and has kicked 5.9 for the season.
Tom Gillett – Grovedale
The 18-year-old goalkicking sensation has battled a back injury in 2022 for an interrupted start to his campaign.
A Covid top-up player for Geelong, Gillett has also played for the Falcons as an over-aged player this season, kicking four goals in his return.
He has kicked 5.7 in his three GFL games this season.
Lewis Antonac – St Joseph’s
Antonac has been a part of the furniture at St Joseph’s after making his debut for the club’s senior side in 2019.
The small forward has been an important part of the Joey’s attacking unit, averaging 12.4 disposals and a goal a game across his seven matches this season.
His pressure and ability to get and keep the ball inside the forward 50 has been important for St Joseph’s, averaging 3.7 inside 50s and 3.3 tackles per game.
Lachy Peck – St Mary’s
The 21 year old key forward for the reigning premiers is down the pecking order for the Saints, but in a side filled with class the big man can go unnoticed at times.
Peck has played just two games for the Saints this season, but has kicked five goals in those two matches.
His selection came off the back of six goals across three games in the reserves side, and followed on from five goals in two games for the senior side in 2021.
Tadhg Evans – Lara
A recent graduate of Lara’s junior program, the former under-18s Cat made his senior debut in 2022.
The full forward has kicked two goals from his two games at the top level, and is averaging 8.5 disposals and four marks per game.
Mitch Langan – North Shore
The raw centre half forward has been a solid signing for the Seagulls in 2022.
Langan kicked 7.1 from 13 disposals in his debut for North Shore in round 1, and has been signed to Williamstown’s VFL side for the season.
The 20 year old has kicked 9.5 from his three GFL games this season.
Kade Chalcraft – St Mary’s
Occupying a spot on Geelong’s VFL list, Chalcraft has spent the season plying his trade at the Saints.
The 20 year old has averaged 12.6 disposals per game so far this season.
Flynn Young – Grovedale
The 20-year-old small forward has had an excellent season so far in 2022.
Young has kicked 20 goals in his eight games this season, including 11 in his past three.
He also slotted a goal after the siren to get the Tigers a win in round 7.
On top of the goals, Young has averaged 17.4 disposals per game in his 2022 campaign, and has developed into a serious threat at the feet of teammates Tom Gillett, Jordan Erskine and Cam Delaney.
Jack Mullen – St Joseph’s
Mullen’s forward-half pressure is a major asset for St Joseph’s, as is his ability to convert chances when he gets them.
He is averaging 11.9 disposals per game, having played in every match for Joeys this season, and has kicked 10.7 in his nine games.
His best return came in round 6, when he slotted four goals from 14 disposals against Geelong West.
Brady Ferguson – Grovedale
Already 196cm and 92kg at 19 years old, Ferguson is a great presence in Grovedale’s forward line.
Unfortunately for the Tigers, Ferguson has been on Falcons duty for much of the year so has only managed two games in yellow and black.
He has averaged 12 disposals and 5.5 marks in his two games at the senior level this season.
Jay Dahlhaus – St Mary’s
Dahlhaus has not played too many games for the Saints in 2022, with the 21 year old more accustomed to playing in the VFL.
In his two GFL games, Dahlhaus has averaged 17.5 disposals and 2 goals a game.
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Originally published as Rising stars: GFL’s top 50 young players in 2022
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