GFL top 50 players revealed ahead of 2023 season
With the GFL season set to play round 1 on the weekend, the Addy has ranked the league’s top 50 players ahead of the season. Have your say on the league’s best player here.
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With the GFL season set to officially begin this weekend, it is time to look at the league’s best talent across the teams.
North Shore and St Joseph’s kicked off their respective seasons before Easter with a rescheduled fixture brought forward, but Saturday will be the first weekend with every team playing in 2023.
The Addy has looked at the top 50 players set to feature in the GFL this season.
50. Nick Stevens (St Mary’s)
The former Geelong footballer signed on with St Mary’s for 2023 but will ply his trade, for the most part, for North Melbourne’s VFL side.
When he does make an appearance for the Saints, Stevens is likely to be one of the best footballers on the park that week.
He averaged 19.4 touches per game for Geelong’s VFL side last year, and has played three games for North Melbourne so far this year.
49. Hamish Lucas (Bell Park)
The young star will spend some of the season in Geelong’s VFL side, having already played two games to start the season there.
Lucas was one of the Dragons’ shining lights in 2022, with a dominant end to the season after moving into the midfield.
From round 10 onwards, Lucas dipped below 20 touches just once, and should be a key figure in Bell Park’s engine room when he plays there this year.
48. Ned Harris (Newtown & Chilwell)
Harris was a key player for the Eagles in 2022, and will continue to be important in their quest for a grand final berth.
He slotted 17 goals in the year, was named in the best players eight times and averaged 26.8 touches per game for the Eagles.
47. Alex Hickey (St Joseph’s)
Hickey will lead from the front of the Joeys playing group as new coach Ron Watt tries to steer his young side to finals in 2023.
St Joseph’s lost a number of key players at the end of 2022, but started the new season with a massive win over North Shore in the round 3 fixture that was brought forward.
Hickey was one of Joeys’ best players, collecting 22 disposals and six marks (five contested) in the big win.
46. Sam Witherden (North Shore)
The young Seagull is a key piece to the future of the football club, and will have a chance to play at Werribee in the VFL after securing a contract there.
Witherden surpassed 30 disposals four times in 2022, and only had two games below 20 touches (18 and 19), and should see a greater role with former co-coach Nick Dixon not playing again in 2023.
45. Sam Dobson (St Mary’s)
Dobson has returned to the Saints and will fill a key forward role left by premiership star Tom Lang.
The key forward has bagged plenty of goals over his career, and will be a key threat alongside players like Pat Dowling.
44. Nathan Deans (Grovedale)
One of the best early-season stories will be the return of 2016 Mathieson Medalist Nathan Deans.
After suffering a shocking injury on the field for Grovedale, Deans has not played football since, but coach Daniel Fraser said the Tiger star is looking fit and set to return in 2023.
It is unlikely we get to see the same Deans that last ran out in 2021, but he is still a chance to be one of the league’s better players.
43. Emmanuel Ajang (Geelong West)
Ajang has made a big impact since joining Geelong West from the Greater Western Victoria Rebels and South Warrnambool.
The rising star played 10 senior GFL games in 2021, named in the Giants’ best players eight times.
He was superb again in 2022, playing 14 games and booting eight goals, as well as playing a VFL game for Werribee.
Ajang is once again listed at Werribee, so he may see greater exposure at the VFL level in 2023.
42. Luke Maddock (Newtown & Chilwell)
As one of the league’s best lockdown key defenders, Maddock is as important a player at Newtown & Chilwell as any.
His impact in defence this season helped propel the Eagles to a preliminary final and come within a kick of the decider.
After playing 18 games in 2018, 19 in 2019 and 20 this season, Maddock has proved how durable he is.
41. Fraser Fort (South Barwon)
While the Swans have lost last year’s team of the year ruck in Luke Davis, Fort is not seen as a like for like replacement.
The star recruit could well be used as a ruck throughout the season, but new coach Mark Neeld has yet to decide on his best position in the South Barwon line-up.
40. Logan Wagener (Leopold)
When he wasn’t dominating for Werribee in the VFL, Wagener was dominating for the Lions in the GFL last year.
The hardened midfielder had a strong year and is a main reason for Leopold’s march towards a grand final.
Wagener has averaged 26.5 disposals per contest, as well as almost four marks and six tackles per game.
39. Tylar Watts (Geelong West)
A rising ruck star, Watts enjoyed a breakout season for the Giants in 2022.
He was the league’s best ruck at the Mathieson Medal count, polling 15 votes to finish equal-sixth in the competition.
Watts averaged 31.1 hit outs and 16.9 disposals per game, to go along 18 goals for the year.
It will be interesting to see Watts’ role in 2023 after the Giants signed young ruck star Kye Annand from Ocean Grove.
38. Jesse Travaglini (St Mary’s)
Named on the half back flank of the team of the year in 2022, Travaglini had a strong season for the premiers.
The rebounding back averaged 23.6 disposals and 5.1 marks per game, while also pushing forward to kick six goals for the season.
37. Jarryd Garner (St Mary’s)
A round 1 injury sidelined Garner for a fair chunk of the season, but it did not stop the star midfielder from dominating in the back half of the year in 2022.
Garner returned in round 8 and averaged more than 30 disposals per game, as well as a goal per game.
He has been one of St Mary’s most damaging players in the midfield and forward half this season, and was one of the Saints’ best in their grand final win over Leopold.
36. Jarryn McCormack (Colac)
The tall intercepting defender enjoyed a strong season for the Tigers in 2022, earning team of the year honours.
McCormack averaged 21.4 disposals per game, missing three matches through a hand injury.
He also took 7.1 marks per game, as well as averaging 2.7 inside 50s per contest.
35. Reid Adams (St Joseph’s)
Adams, along with a number of other Joeys players, will have a lot of weight on their shoulders after a number of experienced heads left the group over the summer.
The two-time premiership Joey was already a key contributor for St Joseph’s, but he will have to be an experienced head for the side under new coach Ron Watt.
34. Lachlan Simpkin (C0lac)
One of three Simpkin’s set to star for Colac this year, Lachlan will continue in his half back role in 2023.
He struggled with injuries late in the season and through the finals, but when he is fully fit he is one of the competition’s best running defenders.
33. Jacob Russell (St Albans)
The new captain at St Albans will have plenty of work to do in 2023, but if he can continue his form from last year he may lead the Supersaints to their first victory in more than three years.
Russell was a ball-winning beast, never dropping below 17 touches despite losing every game in 2022 and eclipsing 30 disposals six times.
His contested possession numbers were also outstanding, never recording less than double digits and also reaching 21 in round 7.
Russell also laid at least four tackles each game, and reached 10 or more four times in 2022.
32. Connor Linehan-Cunningham (Lara)
The young Cats star enjoyed a great season last year, and has been one of the most consistent performers on the track for Lara this off-season.
Linehan-Cunningham will continue to play in his midfield role, with guidance from new co-coach Devon Smith.
The young gun had more than 10 contested possessions seven times last year, and also laid eight or more tackles five times.
31. Doyle Madigan (South Barwon)
One of the league’s top young talents, Madigan grew throughout the course of 2022 and will look to improve his role under new coach Mark Neeld.
Madigan had a strong season on the wing and in the midfield, eclipsing 20 touches 10 times last year.
30. Matty Lloyd (Newtown & Chilwell)
The half back flanker for the Eagles had some dominant games in 2022 and will be eager to replicate the form he showed.
He had nine games with 20 disposals or more, with a round 9 effort of 44 touches (40 effective), 13 marks, and six inside 50s the highlight.
29. Trent West (Leopold)
West’s impact at Leopold cannot be understated.
The star ruck came into the Lions fold late last year after tossing up retirement, and was a key member of the grand final run.
His importance will continue to be high at Leopold, despite some pre-season niggles hampering him late in the summer.
28. Flynn Young (Newtown & Chilwell)
The small forward has crossed over from Grovedale for the 2023 season after booting 31 goals from 16 games last year.
Young will add to an already-dangerous forward line at Newtown & Chilwell, and will help the Eagles push for a grand final berth after falling devastatingly short last year.
27. Sam Donegan (St Albans)
The Supersaints midfielder is one of the competition’s brightest young stars, having moved from the BFL at the end of the 2021 season.
Now in his second year at St Albans, Donegan will be one of the side’s most important assets after averaging 24.6 touches per game in 2022, with three games surpassing the 30-disposal mark.
26. Adam Garner (Colac)
The powerful key forward will be a key player for the Tigers this year, as they search for a premiership with its strong list.
Garner led Colac’s goal kicking in 2022 with 39 majors from 17 games, and will be a part of one of the league’s most dangerous attacks with stars like Darcy Lang and Jon Simpkin alongside him.
25. Mitch Chafer (Grovedale)
The electric goal-kicking forward will have greater importance on Grovedale’s season after Flynn Young made the move to Newtown & Chilwell.
Chafer slotted 32 goals in just 13 games in 2022, including four games of four or more goals.
24. Brock Williamson (Leopold)
Williamson was an important piece to Leopold’s grand final run last season, and in 2023 is set to be just as important.
The midfielder cannot only find plenty of the football, but was one of the league’s best tackling machines and contested ball winners in 2022.
Williamson had less than 10 contested possessions in just three games, while laying at least two tackles each game and hitting seven on five separate occasions last year.
23. Max Augerinos (St Mary’s)
The Saints midfielder had a strong year in 2022 and could really damage teams on his day.
He was the model of consistency, with 11 games over 20 disposals for the season, 10 of those with more than 10 contested possessions, and kicked 13 goals for the season.
22. Lachlan Bond (Newtown & Chilwell)
The young key forward started the season like a house on fire, booting five goals in each of the opening fortnight’s games, before a suspension and Covid slowed his season down.
Still, Bond featured for Geelong in the VFL in 2022 and is poised to add to his tally at the level, but could be one of the GFL’s most dangerous forward in 2023 after booting 37 goals in 15 games last year.
21. Tom Simpkin (Colac)
The former St Kilda footballer and Colac star will return to the Tigers this year in a hope to play a high-level of football again.
Simpkin’s career has been significantly impacted by injuries, but when fit he will be one of the best players in the GFL.
The key defender took time away from football in 2022, but played eight games in the Colac & District Football League in 2021.
20. Matt Boag (Newtown & Chilwell)
On his day, Matt Boag is one of the league’s most damaging players.
Eagles coach Damien McMahon said last season he struggled to decide where Boag was best used, with the star capable in both the midfield and the forward line.
Boag averaged 27.6 disposals per game in 2022, including a 46-disposal effort in round 4, as well as slotting seven goals in round 9.
He also bagged six goals in the first final against Colac when he started forward, and was a major reason the Eagles cruised to victory that day.
19. Noah Lever (North Shore)
Lever dominated in 2022 alongside former co-coach Nick Dixon, and the growing young talent will have the keys to the Seagulls’ midfield in 2023.
He averaged 25.9 touches per game, as well as 7.2 contested possessions, 2.7 marks, 4.4 inside 50s and 6.1 tackles.
Lever featured in the Seagulls’ clash against St Joseph’s, with 31 touches, 15 contested possessions, six inside 50s, nine tackles, and 154 ranking points.
18. Tanner Lovell (Geelong West)
Lovell is a ball magnet at the GFL level, averaging 28.9 disposals across the 2022 season.
He had 7.5 contested possessions per game, as well as 5.1 marks, 3.4 inside 50s and 3.3 tackles each week.
With star midfielder Baxter Mensch moving on from the club after last season, Lovell’s midfield role should increase.
17. Brayden Ham (St Mary’s)
The newest Saints recruit should make an instant impact at the reigning premiers, signing with St Mary’s as well as Geelong’s VFL side.
The former Essendon midfielder should slot into a midfield role when he lines up in the green and blue jerseys, and will likely be a star straight away in the GFL.
He collected 35 touches last weekend in the VFL, and could arguably be ranked higher on this list, but he is likely to spend the majority of the season in the VFL, costing him a higher ranking.
16. Mitchell Day (Lara)
Day was named in the GFL team of the year at full forward after a strong season that saw him slot 45 goals in 17 games.
The hulking forward managed to hit the scoreboard in every game except one, despite Lara struggling in the competition with just two wins from 18 games.
If the Cats can take the next step in being competitive in 2023, Day could easily surpass 50 goals in the season.
15. Jack Leonard (North Shore)
The full back of the season last year will be under similar duress in 2023, but Leonard showed he is up for the challenge after a monster campaign for the Seagulls.
Leonard spent part of 2022 further up the ground, but his ability to shut down a goal threat was highlighted in North Shore’s struggling season.
He averaged 22.4 touches per game, including two matches over 30 disposals, 8.2 marks and 1.6 tackles per game.
With North Shore losing its best player from 2022 in Nick Dixon, it is unclear how Darren Winter will use his talented youngster, but Leonard could move into the midfield and play well there.
14. Andrew Boseley (South Barwon)
The Swans captain had a strong season in front of goal in 2022, and will be a focal point of coach Mark Neeld’s attack this season.
Boseley slotted 50 goals from 18 games last season, being one of just two players to reach the half century in 2022.
He was kept goalless just three times, and kicked at least three majors eight times, including a bag of eight in round 2.
13. Jack Driver (South Barwon)
The key defender at South Barwon hada strong season that ended with a team of the year spot in the back pocket.
Driver averaged 21.1 touches per contest, as well as 8.4 marks and 6.4 contested possessions.
He was often given the toughest assignments each week and defended well while also playing an aggressive intercepting role.
With Andy Higgins departing for Western Australia, Driver’s importance will be greater in new coach Mark Neeld’s first season at the club.
12. Pat Dowling (St Mary’s)
Before his ankle injury in 2022, Dowling was on pace to have one of the best medium-forward seasons in recent GFL history.
The Saint had slotted bags of eight, four, five, three, three, five, and three goals to start the year, leading the competition for goals after seven rounds.
But the ankle injury meant he missed three weeks, and impacted his form in front of goal with just six goals, four coming in round 12, across the next six weeks.
Dowling is set to dominate the competition again in 2023, with his ability to move effortlessly up the ground before doubling back to kick goals to torment defenders across the GFL.
11. Noah Gribble (Geelong West)
Gribble spent much of the season in 2022 playing in the VFL, but when he did turn out for the Giants he was dominant.
The midfielder played alongside Baxter Mensch for Geelong West, but with Mensch moving to Queensland Gribble will have control of the side when he plays for the Giants.
Gribble averaged 34 disposals per game, with 26.6 effective and 10.3 contested, as well as 9.3 marks, 4.6 inside 50s, 2.9 marks and 139.9 ranking points per game.
10. David Handley (Geelong West)
Handley spent the majority of 2022 playing VFL football, but he will spend all of this season with the Giants where he can dominate the season.
He played just four games for Geelong West in 2022, but he was named in the best players all four times.
His games included a 50 disposal, 20 inside 50 and two goal effort in round 18, 48 touches, 18 contested possessions, seven marks, eight inside 50s and three goals in round 9, 28 touches (21 effective), six marks and seven tackles in round 10, and 28 disposals and 14 tackles in round 1.
Handley will be one of the competition’s best midfielders in 2023, and will be a chance for a Mathieson Medal if he plays the majority of the season.
9. Mitch Patten (Leopold)
The crafty Lion led the GFL for goals kicked in 2022, slotting 64 across 22 games played, including a bag of five against Colac in the second week of finals.
Only once was Patten kept goalless in 2022, coming against Colac in round 15, and he kicked three or more majors 12 times across the season.
He averaged 12.5 disposals per game to go with his three goal per game average, and was named in Leopold’s best players 10 times in the season.
His ability to lead up at the footy and take a strong mark, while also being dangerous once the ball hits the ground, makes him a unique threat when the ball is in the forward line.
8. Jon Simpkin (Colac)
The former AFL gun had a strong 2022 campaign, and he will be a pivotal piece to the Tigers’ premiership hopes this season.
Simpkin averaged 24.9 touches per game last season, as well as 1.6 goals, 8.4 contested possessions, 6.5 marks, and 6.4 inside 50s per game.
His pairing with co-coach Darcy Lang was dominant at times, with the pair both floating between the midfield and forward line.
7. Jack Blood (St Mary’s)
The premiership skipper is one of the competition’s best ball winners, yet still is managed to be slightly understated when he stands alongside Mathieson Medalist Harry Benson.
With Benson set to spend a chunk of 2023 playing in the VFL, Blood’s importance to his side will increase.
Blood averaged 26.4 touches per game and only dipped below 20 once, while also averaging 10.4 contested possessions, 4.7 marks, 5.9 inside 50s, 5.2 tackles and more than half a goal per game.
When Benson was out of the line-up through injury, Blood averaged 27.7 touches, 13 contested possessions, 5.8 marks, 6.2 inside 50s, 5.3 tackles and 0.8 goals per game.
His average ranking points also jumped from 123.4 to 134.8 per game with Benson out of the side.
6. Blake Sutterby (Newtown & Chilwell)
The Eagles will be missing their star captain in Matt McMahon for the majority of 2023 after undergoing shoulder surgery, meaning Sutterby’s importance for the premiership contenders will be heightened.
Sutterby had a dominant end to the season for Newtown & Chilwell, helping his side to within a kick after the siren of a grand final berth.
He averaged 28.6 touches, 12.2 contested possessions, 3.2 marks, 3.3 inside 50s, 6.8 tackles and 116.7 ranking points per game.
Sutterby’s late-season run included a 42-disposal, nine tackle game in round 14, 34 touches and seven tackles in round 15, a 34-disposal and 10 tackle game in round 16, and 33 touches and 10 tackles in round 17.
5. Lachlan Patten (Bell Park)
The Dragons have a new coach for 2023 in James Saker, and Patten is set to be a key piece for the start of his tenure at the club.
Patten, who was the vice-captain in 2022, led from the front for Bell Park despite the team enduring a disappointing season.
The Dragon was third in the competition for disposals with an average of 31.6, including six games with more than 35 touches and two exceeding 40.
He also averaged 14.3 contested possessions, 3.1 marks, 6.1 inside 50s, 3.8 tackles and kicked 14 goals for the season.
4. Ryan Abbott (Grovedale)
The imposing ruck played just a handful of games for the Tigers when he was not plying his trade with Geelong’s VFL side in 2022, but he showed his dominance at the local level.
Now freed from VFL duties and set to spend the season with Grovedale, Abbott should take the mantle as the clear best ruck in the competition.
Abbott averaged 22.6 disposals per contest, as well as a whopping 46.1 hit outs, across his seven GFL games in 2022.
Grovedale will be fighting for a spot in the top 5 and Abbott’s influence will prove pivotal in the finals race.
3. Darcy Lang (Colac)
The Tigers co-coach had a stunning 2022 campaign, polling the most votes in the Mathieson Medal count but missing out on taking home the prestigious award after being suspended.
Lang averaged 26.9 touches per contest, playing as a high half forward with stints in the midfield, and he also kicked 20 goals for the season in his 18 games.
The Tigers are likely to be contending for a deep run in the finals against in 2023, so a Mathieson Medal could be on the cards after he missed out on the individual award in 2022.
2. Marcus Thompson (Leopold)
The Lions skipper was one of the major reasons for Leopold’s grand final berth after a stunning season had him as one of the favourites to take out the Mathieson Medal in 2022.
Thompson dominated last year, averaging 29.5 disposals (20.5 effective), 15.1 contested possessions, 4.5 marks, 6.6 inside 50s, 8.4 tackles and 147.6 ranking points across the 22 games played last season.
He also slotted a goal a game, including two in the preliminary final against Newtown & Chilwell and one against St Mary’s in the season decider.
The skipper will look to continue his dominant form this season and steer Leopold to another grand final berth.
1. Harry Benson
It would be rude to Harry Benson to have the St Mary’s star ranked any lower than one, such is his impressive form at the Saints for the past two seasons.
He has won two Mathieson Medals, with his victory last year famous for coming back from facial surgery to secure the final three votes needed to claim the title in the last round of the year.
Benson averaged 29.5 disposals, 11,8 contested possessions, 4.8 marks, five inside 50s, 8.3 tackles and 134.5 ranking points per game in the 2022 season.
While he will be playing for Geelong’s VFL side for a large portion of the 2023 season, Benson has earned the #1 spot ahead of round 1.
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