We name the best Victorian country leagues’ under-21 players
AFL and VFL talent scouts take note. There’s some serious young talent tearing up local leagues in the country. Local Footy writers have named more than 100 to watch.
Country football is still producing high quality young stars despite the fact that in some areas there has been little to no football since 2019.
As we celebrate the first month of country finals action in three years it’s time to look at the budding crop of rising talent who are setting senior competitions alight in all the big leagues.
We’ve scoured ten competitions, including the major centres of Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and Gippsland, to compile a list of more than 100 footballers who are best placed to go on to big things in the next few years.
This list includes players not affiliated with VFL clubs or NAB League clubs from the start of the year.
Here are the future stars.
Bendigo Football Netball League
James Schischka – Strathfieldsaye
The 21-year-old has kicked 42 goals in 17 games to be among the leading goalkickers in the competition.
He’s provided another target for the Storm, who have club stalwart Lachlan Sharp there to assist him.
Schischka is a former Bendigo Pioneer player.
Lachlan Wilson – Kangaroo Flat
Averages two goals a game in seniors this season, kicking 34 goals in 17 games for the Flat.
He helped the club win the under-18 Bendigo Football Netball League premiership in 2019 and has kicked almost 50 goals in seniors since making his debut last year.
Matthew Merrett – Gisborne
In his first full season in seniors, Merrett has been one of the standouts in front of goal for the ladder leaders.
Merrett has kicked 29 goals in 18 matches and has kicked four goals in one match three times.
Harry Thomas – Gisborne
Has kicked 22 goals in 14 games for the ladder leaders after fighting his way back from reserves to the main side at the start of the year.
This included seven goals against Castlemaine.
Baxter Slater – Strathfieldsaye
The inside midfielder has kicked a goal a game this season for the Storm, playing 17 games.
Slater is a former under-18 best and fairest winner in the Bendigo Football Netball League.
Noah Walsh – Sandhurst
The 20-year-old running defender has been one of the best for the Dragons this year.
Walsh has been among the best players in 10 games out of the 14 he has played and kicked 13 goals.
This year is his second full season of senior football after making his debut last year.
Aidan Hare – Maryborough
It’s been a tough year for Maryborough but Hare has been one of the standouts for the club.
He’s played 18 games and been in the best for the team in two-thirds of them.
A midfielder who is not afraid to tackle and win the ball, he was voted player of the round in week six this season for getting 41 possessions in a game.
Flynn Lakey – Gisborne
The midfielder has been a standout for the ladder leaders, featuring in the best players most weeks for the team.
He won the Morrish Medal last year as being one of the best NAB League players but returned to Bendigo’s competition full time this year.
Hamish Yunghanns – Kyneton
A ball winning midfielder who almost helped the team to make the finals this year.
Yunghanns has played all games this season and featured among the best in more than half of his matches played.
Not bad for someone who only played his first senior match last year.
Ryan O’Keefe – Kangaroo Flat
The midfielder is another of the Kangaroo Flat players who has made the successful transition to seniors from winning a premiership in under-18.
In 15 matches this season he has been in the best players 10 times, excelling in the team in the midfield.
Ethan Roberts – Kangaroo Flat
The big bodies midfielder has averaged one goal a game in his 17 matches this season.
He has also featured 12 times in the best players for the club.
It’s a pretty impressive performance after missing two years of footy through Covid and injury.
Lucas Hurse – Maryborough
Already playing seniors despite playing a leading role in the Magpies under-18 team.
Hurse has played nine games on top of the 14 in under-18.
He’s also a handy basketballer, representing Bendigo in tournaments around the state.
Jack Merrin – Golden Square
The key defender has helped Golden Square become the second best defence in the competition this year.
He’s played all games for Golden Square this season, being in the best players three times.
Angus Nolte – Kyneton
Nolte was one of the stars in the second half of the season as the Tigers just fell short of finals.
The midfielder was best on ground in two of the teams final three rounds, kicking five goals against Golden Square before dominating against Eaglehawk.
He kicked a goal, set up others while also accumulating a stack of ball in a third quarter which helped the team win.
Nolte has only just graduated from under-18 to seniors.
Mitch Trewhella – Kangaroo Flat
He may have only played eight games this season but Trewhella is someone to look out for.
Trewhella won the under-18 best and fairest in the competition in 2019 and has so far made 20 appearances in seniors, finishing among the best players in more than half of them.
Ballarat
Izaac Grant – Redan
The Redan Lion has kicked 38 goals in 15 games to be the leading goalkicker for the club.
He’s a midfielder who likes to be a goalkicker and is pacy as well.
The perfect combination to cause plenty of damage to any defence.
Jack Riding – North Ballarat
Has been one of the leading forwards for the Roosters this year, kicking 35 goals in 15 games.
This included six against Melton South.
Set to be one of the key players as North Ballarat play in the final this year.
Jamie Quick – North Ballarat
Another one of the Roosters young guns who has dominated in front of goal this year.
The 20-year-old has kicked 38 goals in 15 games, including three against Melton as the team were the first to beat them this year.
Jake Sutton – Sunbury
Has kicked 30 goals in 12 games to be one of the leading players in the youthful team.
His season included an eight goal haul against 2019 premiers East Point.
Luke Heaney – Melton
Has played a full season for the club, kicking 18 goals in 14 games.
This included five against Lake Wendouree.
The 21-year-old, who played his first senior game in 2019, is expected to be one of the key players for the team as it chases premiership glory.
Jed Hill – Sebastopol
Capable of playing a defensive role, while also playing up the ground, Hill has been one of the leading players for the Burras since joining in 2021.
He’s kicked 16 goals in 15 games and made the best players in seven on them.
Hill is a former Greater Western Victoria Rebel.
Jack Jeffrey – East Point
The teenager has kicked 15 goals in 12 games in his first full senior season at the club.
He’s been able to kick two three goal hauls against Darley and Melton South and has been a threat in the forward line.
Rhys Perry – Ballarat
The former St Patrick’s College student has starred in recent weeks in his first senior season at the Ballarat Swans.
He’s kicked 14 goals in his past five games, helping the team to second on the ladder.
Perry had only kicked one goal in 11 before the breakout matches.
Cody Chapman – Melton South
Been one of the best players in a difficult year for Melton South.
Has been among the best in 12 of his 16 games for the club.
William Liston – Ballarat
The Ballarat junior has been one of the best each week for the Swans.
He’s been the best in 12 of his 16 games for the club.
The midfielder could be one to look out for in the clubs best and fairest.
Mace Cousins – Darley
A defensive player who has played all games for the club this year.
Been among the best in almost half of the matches as well.
It’s his first full season in seniors with the club after joining last year.
Harrison Minton-Connell – Sunbury
Expected to feature highly in the best and fairest for Sunbury after a stellar season.
Been in the best players in 12 out of 16 games and kicked 11 goals.
He’s a good runner who is also capable of winning the ball.
Jake Egan – Sunbury
The 18-year-old has been a lock every week for the club after rising from under-18s last year.
Egan has played all but one game this season, kicking 18 goals.
Geelong Football League
Sam Donegan – St Albans Supersaints
Donegan joined St Albans from Ocean Grove at the start of the 2022 season, and did not waste any time earning a full-time role in the Supersaints midfield.
The 19-year-old won the club‘s best and fairest averaging 24.3 disposals, 3.9 marks, 7.1 tackles, 3.3 inside 50s and half a goal per game in 2022.
Donegan recently made his debut with Geelong’s VFL side.
Emmanuel Ajang – Geelong West Giants
The 20-year-old has been used in a variety of positions in 2022, but the Giant is most damaging when positioned on the ball, using his explosiveness to damaging effect to leave his opponents in his wake.
Ajang has averaged 24.1 disposals, 4.7 tackles and just more than half a goal per game in 2022.
Henry Walsh – Colac Tigers
The younger brother of Carlton star Sam Walsh, Henry is of a different mould to the Blue, instead plying his trade in the ruck.
The aggressive ruck is one of the league’s best big men, averaging 28.6 hit outs per game, as well as 12.7 disposals and 4.9 tackles per contest.
Noah Gribble – Geelong West Giants
Gribble is one of the competition’s best accumulators when he is playing in the GFL, but the Giant has become accustomed to plying his trade in the VFL for Werribee this season.
The 20-year-old has averaged 34 disposals per game in 2022, including a 45-disposal effort in round 10. He also averaged 8.8 marks per game, and has kicked four goals in his eight games this season.
Noah Lever – North Shore Seagulls
Lever is one of the competition’s best players, regardless of age, but the midfielder is still a rising star in the football landscape.
The midfielder averaged 25.9 disposals per game in the GFL, as well as 4.4 inside 50s, 5.8 tackles and almost a goal per game.
Tom Gillett – Grovedale Tigers
Gillett is easy to spot on a football field, with a flowing mullet and usually a couple of defenders trailing behind him.
The 19-year-old led the league’s goal kicking in 2021, slotting 42 goals in nine games to become the competition’s youngest recipient of the award. His form was rewarded after being named as a Geelong Cats Covid top-up option for 2022.
Gillett has only kicked five goals in just three games in 2022 after a GFL season interrupted by injury and selection in the Geelong Falcons side.
Flynn Young – Grovedale Tigers
The small forward at the Tigers has enjoyed a strong year and will likely be named in the GFL’s team of the year as a result.
Young has kicked 31 goals from 16 games, including seven games of three goals or more. He has also averaged 13.7 disposals per game, and is 13th in the competition for most goals kicked this year.
Darcy Brown – Bell Park Dragons
The young key defender is unheralded outside of the club, but Brown has been an important player in the Dragons’ defensive structure.
Standing at 193cm, Brown is often tasked with dealing with some of the key forward monsters around the GFL, including games played on Grovedale’s Tom Gillett and Jordan Erskine, and Colac’s Adam Garner.
Tanner Lovell – Geelong West Giants
Lovell has exploded in the second half of the GFL season, moving into a more prominent midfield role for the Giants.
The midfield star is averaging 28.8 disposals per game across his 16 games this season, and 32 in his last seven GFL games.
Lovell recently made his VFL debut with Geelong, and has gone on to play three games for the Cats this season.
Lachlan Bond – Newtown & Chilwell Eagles
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.
Bond then battled through Covid and got a two-week suspension which disrupted his season, but he has still slotted 32 goals in 12 games in the GFL and six goals in four games for Geelong’s VFL side.
He has been the Eagles’ main marking target inside forward 50, and Bond is set to return from VFL duties for the first week of GFL finals.
Bellarine Football League
Oli Wiltshire – Barwon Heads Seagulls
Seagulls coach Dan Donati is still only new to the BFL but from what he has seen, Wiltshire is right up among the best talents.
The 19-year-old has been a standout all season and has been named in the best nine times from his 18 senior games in 2022, and has slotted 13 goals at the level.
Charlie Hurst – Barwon Heads Seagulls
Likely to be right up there in the best-and-fairest for the Seagulls, Hurst, 20, is among the brightest talents on the Bellarine.
He can play across the ground and proved a serious nightmare for Portarlington in round 8 when he booted 10 goals in a huge win.
Tommy Stephen – Geelong Amateur Ammos
Ammos co-coach Dan Holroyd has no doubt Stephen, 17, will play at higher levels as the Geelong Grammar student has torn it up in his seven BFL games.
The 17 year old can run through the midfield and up forward and has some weapons, kicking eight goals and being named in the best players four times.
Jackson Williams – Geelong Amateur Ammos
Lock Williams down as a reliable defender for the next decade.
At just 19 he has shown maturity beyond his years down back for Ammos and reads the ball well in the air.
Sam Bain – Geelong Amateur Ammos
Bain has grown well into his second season of senior footy and looks to be a long-term prospect.
At just 19, Bain played out the rest of the season in the seniors after making his debut in round 3, kicking four goals and being named in the best players four times.
Koban Treweek – Barwon Heads Seagulls
It’s not easy playing at fullback at any age, but at 20, Treweek has slid into the role with ease.
He has been handed the toughest tasks each week and has rarely let the Seagulls down.
Jude Poyser – Newcomb Power
The left-footer’s silky skills standout on the field but Newcomb coach Jye Walker has been struck by the 19-year-old’s willingness to learn.
Walker said Poyser “will be a jet in years to come”.
Sheldon Ham – Torquay Tigers
Lock this youngster in as one of the brightest talents on the Bellarine.
Ham has played predominantly midfield with the Tigers this season but can certainly hit the scoreboard – he booted seven goals against Ocean Grove.
Jet Kneebone – Ocean Grove Grubbers
Often busy on Geelong Falcons duties, Kneebone is thrown straight into the guts when he is available for the Grubbers.
The midfielder was a shining light against Drysdale in round 6 and has been named in the Ocean Grove best in two of his four senior games in 2022.
Tom Bartlett – Modewarre Warriors
Started the year with the Warriors before he was called away on Geelong Falcons duties, Bartlett is welcome back any time, having starred in round 6 against Torquay.
At 185cm, Bartlett is a solid frame and is happy to throw it around inside the contest despite being 17.
Sunraysia Football League
Jack Cottrell – Wentworth
The 20-year-old has been one of the best for the club in the past two seasons.
He’s played 15 games this season, kicking 19 goals and has been named as footballer of the round at least once in the past two seasons.
This includes round 11 this year.
He’s on the radar on some state leagues with a potential move expected next year.
Alex Hollingsworth – Irymple
The 16-year-old is already playing senior football, playing 14 games for ladder leaders Irymple.
A key defender, he’s been among the best in eight games this season and is matching up well against adults.
One to look out for over the next few years.
Kade Baynes – Irymple
One of the rising stars in the competition.
The teenager has played 12 games this season while juggling matches in under-18.
Has speed to burn on the wing.
Will De Rosa – Mildura
Still eligible to play under-16, De Rosa has played nine games for Mildura in senior footy.
He’s also been in the best players in two matches this season.
Jack Parker – Red Cliffs
The versatile player can play both in the midfield and defence, depending on where the team needs him.
Parker is now one of the leaders at the club, despite being 20-years-old.
He’s played 15 games this season, being in the best players in six of them.
Sam Cumming – Wentworth
He might be just 15 but Cumming is someone to keep an eye on.
He’s already playing senior football, making 13 appearances for Wentworth and being among the best in seven games.
Cumming is the son of Glenn Cumming, who is a great at Wentworth.
It’s no surprise he is on the radar of state league clubs.
Gippsland
Jack Hume – Leongatha
The 21-year-old has averaged almost two goals a game this season for the ladder leaders Leongatha this season.
The forward impressed in his first year of seniors in 2021 before backing it up this year with 29 goals from 17 games to be among the top 10 goalkickers.
He was a Gippsland Power junior from 2018 to 2019 and is currently rookie listed with the Box Hill Hawks but hasn’t played a game this season.
Noah Anderson – Wonthaggi
There might be another Noah Anderson doing great things for the Gold Coast Suns but this Anderson is also excelling at Wonthaggi.
Anderson has kicked 17 goals in 18 matches this season for the club in his first full senior year of football.
He’s been among the best players for the club in a third of his games this year.
Tom Thatcher – Maffra
The Maffra forward has contributed well in his first full senior season, kicking 17 goals in 18 games for the reigning premiers.
He is the 5th leading goalkicker at the club and kicked a career high of four goals against Moe.
Harry Dawson – Wonthaggi
The Wonthaggi junior has kicked 16 goals in 15 games to be one of the leading players for the club in his first full season of seniors.
He played for the Gippsland Power in two matches in 2019.
Tristen Waack – Morwell
The versatile Morwell Tiger has been one of the leading players to help the club make finals this season.
He’s kicked 15 goals in 18 goals including a bag of four goals against Warragul in July.
Waack played for Gippsland Power last year in the NAB League.
Cody Macdonald – Morwell
The Tigers player knows how to find the ball and can kick the odd goal or two when required as well.
He’s played all 18 games for the club this season, kicking 12 goals including five against Drouin, two weeks ago.
But he rose to prominence in round 10 against Bairnsdale, getting 37 touches to be the best player for the round in the competition.
Tye Hourigan – Traralgon
Could be a chance to win the clubs best and fairest in his second full year of seniors, following last year’s disrupted season.
The Traralgon player has played all but two games and has been in the best players for 11 out of the 16 matches.
He’s one of three at the club to be among the best for 11 or more matches.
Hourigan played for Gippsland in the NAB League in 2018 and 2019.
Trent Baldi – Moe
Been among the best for Moe throughout the season as the club just missed the finals.
Baldi has played every game this season, 18 matches, finishing among the best in 10 of them.
The Lions player was part of Gippsland Power from 2018 to 2019.
Ryan Sparkes – Wonthaggi Power
The winger has helped Wonthaggi power towards the finals with a stellar season.
Sparkes has played 16 matches and featured as one of the best players for the club in 11 of them.
This is his first year at the club after playing VFL for Casey last season but moving back to the region this year for more football opportunities.
Jack Hutchinson – Wonthaggi
Has averaged two goals a season in his 18 games for the Power.
This is his first year in the competition after joining from Inverloch-Kongwak in the West Gippsland competition.
The 21-year-old has been praised for not only his talent up forward but for his hard work getting to contests.
Ned Hanily – Leongatha
In his first year of seniors, Hanily has been able to hold his spot as the team completed a perfect regular season.
He’s played 13 games and kicked nine goals in his first senior season.
His attack and pressure on the opposition has helped the player, small in stature, to keep his spot in the team.
Jake van der Pligt – Leongatha
The former Gippsland Power junior is another of the youngsters excelling at Leongatha.
He’s played 14 games, kicked six goals and been in the best in four matches for the team as it remained unbeaten all season.
Cooper Whitehill – Sale
Been one of the best for Sale as the Magpies prepare for finals.
In his first full season, he’s played every game and been among the best in seven of them.
The Magpie played for Gippsland Power last year.
Ovens and Murray Football League
Kaelan Bradtke – Corowa Rutherglen
The 21-year-olds performances this season for Corowa has attracted attention outside of the league.
Bradtke, who played centre half forward, kicked 37 goals in 16 games to attract the Sydney Swans to give him two VFL games towards the end of the season.
He’s now part of the AFL draft combine and could get selected by an AFL club at the end of the year.
This year is Bradtke’s fourth in seniors after making his debut in 2018.
Billy Glanvill – Lavington
The utility has been among the best players for the Panthers this season in his first year at the club.
The teenager moved to the club at the start of the year from Turvey Park in the Riverina Football League.
Since then, he’s starred, being among the best in 11 of his 16 games while also kicking eight goals in multiple positions on the field.
Josh Mathey – Wodonga
The Wodonga midfielder is already one of the key players at the club, despite playing just two seasons of senior football.
The 18-year-old last year became the youngest ever best and fairest at the club after playing just 13 games.
This year, he’s played all games and been in the best players for all but two of them.
Mathey also represented the Ovens and Murray under-18 team in the representative games.
He’s been described as a ball magnet despite not being as tall as others.
Sam Azzi – North Albury
The half back has played every game this season and been among the best players for North Albury, despite the club being at the bottom of the ladder.
He’s been in the best players in half of his games and was in contention for the Ovens and Murray representative team but missed selection.
Isaac McGrath – Albury
The winger is one of a few Albury youngsters to really shine in seniors this season.
McGrath, in his first full season in seniors, has impressed, playing all but one game and being among the best in half of his games.
The talented teenager also represented Ovens and Murray in under-18 in representative football.
Lucas Conlan – Albury
The 21-year-old defender has been able to stand some of the best forwards in the competition and hold his own against them.
He kept Yarrawonga forward, who has kicked 61 goals this year, to one goal up to three quarter time last week.
Conlan can also find an avenue to goal, kicking 11 goals including five goals against Wodonga this year.
Ben Ashley-Cooper – Lavington midfielder
The midfielder has played every game in his second season in the competition, making the best players in 11 matches.
Ashley Cooper is a forme Murray Bushrranger who also played for Queanbeyan in 2020 while Victoria had no competitions with Covid.
Ethan Redcliffe – Wodonga
In the top ten of goalkickers this year with the forward kicking 37 goals in 14 games.
Redcliffe did sign with Coburg in the VFL during the last pre-season but returned and signed with Wodonga before this year started.
He’s kicked more than 70 goals in his two full seasons in the competition in seniors.
Jace McQuade – Wangaratta Rovers
The defender and ruckman has played most games this season despite playing with injuries.
He’s been playing with a dislocated kneecap since May.
McQuade has played 16 games in his first full season in seniors.
Kyal Tyson – Yarrawonga
The young ruckman has been one of the best for Yarrawonga as the club surges towards finals and a potential premiership.
He’s played all but two games for the team this season in his first year of seniors.
Archy Gardiner – North Albury
The utility player has played every game for North Albury in his first year as a senior.
But he has also represented Ovens and Murray in representative footy in under-18.
Gardiner has featured in the best players at the club in half of his matches this season.
Brayden McMenamin – Albury
After making his debut earlier this season in seniors, McMenamin has been able to hold his spot in the Albury team.
A midfielder and also a small defender, he’s kicked eight goals in 15 matches and been among the best players in three contests.
Alex McCarthy – Wangaratta Rovers
Has made the rise from thirds to first this year and kept his spot in the top side in the competition.
He’s played all games and also represented the under-18 Ovens and Murray team at representative level.
Goulburn Valley Football League
Diesel Batey – Shepparton Swans
Still eligible for under 18s footy, Batey has played all 17 games in the Swans’ senior side this year and has continued to impress. Also represented the GVL against the Ovens and Murray in an interleague game earlier this year.
Ben Bath – Euroa
Has played every senior game for the Magpies this season who find themselves in premiership contention. Bath arrived at Memorial Oval in 2019 making his senior debut in 2019 against Shepparton United. Still just 19, he looks set to have a bright future ahead of him.
Mitch Cricelli – Rochester
Only arrived at the Tigers this year from Elmore, which plays in the Heathcote District league, but Cricelli looks at home at a higher level. He has 42 goals for the season at just 19 years old.
Nathan Kay – Rochester
The former Bendigo Pioneer has continued to impress for his homegrown club this season playing a possible 16 out of 17 games. Is learning from former VFL gun Steve Stroobants.
Riley Mason – Seymour
In his first season with the Lions, Mason has established himself as a genuine star of one of country footy’s top competitions. Has 25 goals in 17 games after spending time on the wing and down forward. He joined from Outer East club Broadford.
Aidan Robinson – Kyabram
The 21-year-old still remains one of the most promising big men of the competition. Has had some more experienced heads around him this season which have aided his development.
Brady Simpson – Echuca
Another rising star out of the GVL powerhouse who continues to produce homegrown talents. Simpson has played 13 senior games this season but when he has been sent back to the reserves he’s made it too hard to ignore his form and a recall. Playing off halfback.
Riley Smith – Echuca
One of the most consistent players in the minor premiers’ line-up. Regularly finds himself earning senior opportunities. Smith has played predominantly on the wing this season. Was also a GVL senior interleague representative.
Sam Thomson – Mansfield
Has bounced back from a broken arm in his senior debut last season to play an important role for the surprise packet Eagles. His commitment to his junior club has been on full display with Thomson travelling back from Melbourne every week.
Jed Woods – Mooroopna
Made his senior debut last year and is developing nicely under former Werribee VFL coach John Lamont. A local to the area, Woods has played 16 games this season and been named among the better players five times.
Hampden Football League
Ollie Bridgewater – South Warrnambool
The midfielder/ruckman is one of the best in the competition despite this season being his second in seniors.
Bridgewater has played 15 games, being among the best in 10 games.
He’s even considered to be a chance of winning the Maskell Medal as the best in the Hampden Football League.
Paddy O’Sullivan – Koroit
O’Sullivan is one of three brothers excelling at the club with his older brother Jack and younger brother Finn also playing.
Finn was named the best player recently in the under-16 national championships but is playing NAB League with the Oakleigh Chargers.
Paddy has played all but one game this season, being in the best in more than half of them.
He’s also kicked 16 goals, including a haul of four goals against Terang earlier this season.
Jett Birmingham – North Warrnambool
Birmingham is already a star in the competition, despite being just 20-years-old.
The midfielder won the Maskell Medal as the best player in the Hampden Football League last season.
This year, he’s played all games, 18, and been among the best players in 14 of them.
Toby Jennings – Portland
The midfielder who also plays forward has had a strong second season in senior football, kicking 24 goals in 18 games.
He’s also been among the best players in 11 games, helping the Tigers make the finals in the competition in more than a decade.
Jennings comes from a strong lineage with his father Mick the games record holder at the club.
Zack Sinnott – Camperdown
Sinnott is a forward flanker who also spends time in the midfield
He played all games this season, being among the best players in half of the matches.
Sinnott has also kicked 13 goals.
Reggie Mast – Warrnambool
He might be only 16 but the Warrnambool player is already a key forward for the club.
He’s played 12 senior games this season, kicking five goals including three in the last round against ladder leaders Koroit.
Has been among the best players for the club in more than half of his games and will play finals for the first time.
Ben Kellett – North Warrnambool
The young ruckman can also play as a key forward for the Eagles.
He’s played all games this season, 18, kicking eight goals including three against Camperdown in the last regular season game.
He’s a kid with plenty of talent to burn and played for the Greater Western Victorian Rebels last year.
Mac Petersen – Koroit
The 19-year-old is a winger and half back flanker who can run all day and create havoc for teams.
He’s played all games this season after making his debut last year.
Petersen has been in the best players in five matches this year.
Jed Henderson – South Warrnambool
The winger has been one of the best for South Warrnambool as the team charges towards finals.
He’s played all games in his first full year as a senior, being among the best in 10 games.
Rory Gill – Hamilton Kangaroos
A gun midfielder who knows how to tackle.
Has played 15 games this season and been in the best players in more than half of them.
West Gippsland Football League
Paddy Cross, Nar Nar Goon
The talented winger made his senior debut last year and has progressed steadily, earning a call-up to North Melbourne’s VFL team last week. Skilful, tackles hard and has pace.
Jenson Garnham, Inverloch-Kongwak
Athletic, sharp-skilled forward who can take a mark and nail a goal.
Lewis Hill, Tooradin-Dalmore
The speedy and talented wingman has had mentions in the best in eight matches this season for the ladder-leading Seagulls.
Orlando Kane Gillard, Phillip Island
The forward-wing has a ton of toe and can nail a goal, slotting 14 majors this season. He’s also an exceptional pressure player. Still in Year 12.
Kai MacKenzie, Phillip Island
A high defender who can run all day and work up and down the ground. Played the whole year in the seniors either on a wing or down back. Rated very highly.
Tex Marsham, Nar Nar Goon
The ruckman-defender is still eligible for the Goons’ under-18s but has played 17 games in the seniors this season, displaying a huge leap and stamping himself as an exciting talent.
Harry O’Brien, Phillip Island
The midfielder-forward is developing into an exciting prospect. Good on the inside and brings a lot of energy. Sets up goals and kicks them too.
Flynn Parker, Nar Nar Goon
The key defender has been pitted against more experienced and stronger opponents but has more than held his own.
Luke Ryan, Cora Lynn
The half back has only just turned 18 and already played over 5o senior games. He’s strong in the air and courageous, as he showed by taking seven intercept marks in the back fifty in an elimination final last weekend. Big future.
James Trezise, Tooradin-Dalmore
The mid-size forward has been a spark for the Seagulls with his pace and evasive skills. Kicked 24 goals this season. Knows how to find the ball and knows where the goals are.
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Originally published as We name the best Victorian country leagues’ under-21 players
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