The top 50 players of the Central Australia Football League since 2000
Central Australia has long been a treasure trove of skilful and exciting footballers and to celebrate them we’ve compiled a list of some of the best since 2000. Check out part one.
The Central Australia Football League has a rich history of producing skilful and productive footballers, all of them making maximum use of Alice Springs’ pristine winter weather and superb playing surfaces.
Names like Darryl White, Matt Campbell, Abe Ankers, Gilbert McAdam, Graeme Smith, Liam Jurrah and the Bowden brothers, Joel and Patrick, roll off the tongue like raindrops in a mid-year downpour.
But selecting 50 of the best of them in 25 years since the first bounce of the 2000 CAFL season, presents a serious challenge and one that is fraught with danger.
But this masthead never shies from a challenge, even if 250 players could easily fit into a “Best Of” category where Australian football is played right across the Red Centre.
This masthead sends its sincere thanks to Alice Springs footy guru and author Stan Coombe for his valuable assistance in compiling these lists.
Here’s part one with 50-26 listed, stay tuned for the top 25.
50. Leo Jurrah (Rovers)
A big goal kicker with the Double Blues, Jurrah Sr also plied his trade with the Darwin Buffaloes in the NTFL.
Leo Jurrah was a jewel in the CAFL crown as a player who could walk the walk with his marking and deadly accuracy in front of goals.
49. Jayden Dick (Wests)
A four-time best and fairest winner at Wests and a long-time captain of the club, Dick continues to perform at a high level for the Bloods.
He can find the football in contested situations or on his own and dispose of it with immaculate skills.
48. Marcus McDonald (Federal/Pioneer)
A clever goal kicker from Papunya with a superb goal sense and an ability to provide a target for teammates coming down the ground with his smart leads.
Has all the skills and is a big contributor to the scoreboard.
47. Mark Bramley (Wests)
A strong marking, smart disposal centre half-back who was an important player in the Bloods’ golden era when they won five premierships in six years.
Bramley was the best player on the ground in Wests’ 2004 grand final win over Souths when the black and reds won by three points in a low scoring game.
46. Dylan Barry (Rovers/Souths)
A smart goal sneak when playing as a midfielder, high half forward or a forward pocket, Barry has also plied his trade with NTFL club Southern Districts and North Adelaide in the SANFL.
He possesses a powerful left foot kick and big appetite for goals when given any space by unwary defenders.
45. Shaun Cusack (Souths)
A ruckman-forward who could play down back, Cusack was a lead-from-the-front player who was in the best players every week for the CAFL Kangaroos.
Could take a pack mark and use his feet and hands to give the ball to his running players with a minimum of fuss.
44. Fred Campbell (Pioneer)
A clever midfield-half forward type who rose through the playing ranks to reach the elite level when the Sydney Swans drafted him after the 1997 National U18 Championships in Melbourne.
Now an astute coach, Campbell won the Everingham Medal when his Eagles beat Wests in the 1997 decider.
43. Steven Brooks (Federal)
A key forward who kicked goals almost at will when he controlled the goal square for Federal in the early noughties.
At 210cm (6ft 8in), Brooks was a standout player in the Demons side of his era with his ability to take marks in a park or on the lead, which straightened up running players looking to deliver his way.
And as a result he kicked plenty of goals, including a century in 2009 when Federal lost the grand final to Pioneer in extra time.
42. Liam Patrick (Rovers/Federal)
A big leaping, mercurial player who came in from the Northern Territory’s western desert region to make his name in the CAFL, NTFL, Big Rivers league and ultimately, the AFL.
His pace and marking skills impressed observers of the game, with the “Lajamanu Lightning Bolt” making it to AFL ranks through a zone selection in the 2009 AFL Draft where he played 13 games for the Gold Coast Suns.
41. Henry Impu (Wests)
A Western Aranda speedster who made his name in the midfield or on a wing with his great leg speed and sublime skills.
Impu won the 2017 Minahan Medal with his eye catching performances, highlighting once again the tremendous pace Centralian footballers possess on the playing field.
40. Joe Cole (Pioneer)
An inside mid who was an important player for Pioneer through the noughties with his ability to find the football and get it to teammates further up the ground.
Won the 2008 Minahan Medal as the best player in the league, a fitting tribute for a player who gave his best years to the green and gold.
39. Trevor Dhu (Pioneer)
A goal kicking machine well into the noughties where he booted a series of big scores with his uncanny ability to read the play and take contested or uncontested marks.
The 2001 season was his best in the Alice Springs competition, kicking 100 goals from which 25 came in one match.
38. Craig Turner (Pioneer)
A ruckman and key defender at the Eagles who lost the 2003 Minahan Medal on countback to teammate Ryan Mallard.
He was a skilled servant in green and gold for many years with his high leaping and big marking key elements in Pioneer’s ability to play finals football on a regular basis.
37. Michael Gurney (Wests)
A former club captain at the Bloods, Gurney was a club best and fairest in his role as a tough, no nonsense defender with the club.
He was named the club captain at Wests’ 50-year celebrations, a fitting reward for his on-field contribution.
36. Gareth Remfrey (Rovers)
If one player personified the skill of CAFL club Rovers in the 25 years since the start of the 21st century, it was Double Blues midfielder Gareth Remfrey.
Often described as a model of consistency, he won the 2019 Everingham Medal as the best player on the ground in the grand final win over Souths in between a number of club best and fairest awards.
35. Willie Foster (Pioneer)
A lionhearted ruckman and proficient forward who won the 2014 Everingham Medal in a losing side when Souths beat Pioneer in the grand final.
Foster’s strength and tremendous athleticism made him a premier player in basketball, skills he brought to the CAFL competition.
34. Ryan Mallard (Pioneer)
A big marking, fast leading forward for Pioneer, who won the Everingham Medal as the best player on the ground in the 2010 grand final win over Federal.
The 2003 Minahan medallist, Mallard was known for his contested marking and accurate kicks for goal, Mallard came from a big football family who were outstanding players for the Eagles.
33. Darren Talbot (Souths)
A hard running, highly skilled wingman who won the league best and fairest award in the mid-1990s but played well into the 2000s where he became a cult figure with the Kangaroos faithful.
32. Matt Rosier (Wests)
A clever midfielder who could read the play both ways and complement that with excellent disposal skills.
He was a regular in Territory Thunder sides in their NEAFL days when he played in premiership sides where he always made significant contributions.
31. Willie Tilmouth (Souths)
Tilmouth was a superb player for the CAFL Kangaroos where his work around the ball and big goal sense always had him in the best players.
He was the league best and fairest in the late 1990s and continued to dominate the competition into the mid noughties.
30. Daniel Gorry (Federal)
The 2022 Minahan Medal as the CAFL’s best and fairest player, Gorry can play in the ruck or up forward where his strength and long kicking are valuable assets in a side chockful of running players.
29. Nathan Mutch (Federal)
The man they call “Nitro” has a big appetite for the football and uses it very well.
Won the league best and fairest award in 2015 after winning the Everingham Medal as the best player on the ground in the heart stopping 2013 grand final win over Pioneer.
28. Shawn Foster (Pioneer)
Can play up forward or down back with equal skill, kicking goals or preventing them almost at will with his ability to find the football and do something with it.
Foster won the 2022 Everingham Medal with a match winning five goals in Pioneer’s grand final win over Souths.
27. Sherman Spencer (Rovers, Souths, Yuendemu)
A quicksilver small forward who terrorised opposition defences with his pace and evasive skills with two CAFL clubs and his home community of Yuendemu.
A player with a massive appetite for goals, he was impossible to tackle when in the mood.
26. Paul Campbell (Pioneer)
The 2010 Minahan medallist and premiership player was a standout through the midfield for the Eagles.
His ability to spot up teammates further up the ground by hand and foot was a big weapon in his side’s armoury and dominance in the competition.
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Originally published as The top 50 players of the Central Australia Football League since 2000
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