Revealed: The unsung heroes of Gippsland footy

Gippsland has a rich footballing history and local footy stars continue to make their mark. We’ve named 50 of the best unsung heroes in 2025 and now it’s your chance to vote.

We’ve named the best players from across the Gippsland region.

The Gippsland region is home to plenty of talented footballers.

We’ve scoured all the competitions outside of the region’s major league to find some of the best hidden gems in country footy.

Here are 50 of the best unsung heroes.

Declan Barnett (Rosedale, North Gippsland)

A dominant big man in his local competition. He’s consistently appeared in the better players this season.

Todd Beck (Warragul Industrials, West Gippsland)

Capable of finding the ball at will, Beck is one of his side’s most important players.

Darcy Berryman (Fish Creek, Mid Gippsland)

Berryman is on track to better his 63-goal season in 2024 after thriving in another strong Fish Creek side.

Jake Best (Foster, Mid Gippsland)

A force for one of the premiership contenders. After booting 80 goals last season, Best is enjoying another fine season.

Jake Best.

Heath Briggs (Cora Lynn, West Gippsland)

The former VFL player remains one of the most important for the Cobras.

Frazar Brouns (TTU, North Gippsland)

Made the North Gippsland Team of the Year last season and has again been in fine form throughout the season.

Hayden Bruce (Phillip Island, West Gippsland)

Won the league medal last season and has again been in brilliant form with his ball winning and goalkicking ability.

Nathan Campbell (Nilma Darnum, Ellinbank and District)

A consistent player for a long time with the Bombers with Campbell being in the best in 11 games this season.

Ben Chalmers (Tarwin, Mid Gippsland)

After just 10 games last season, Chalmers has built himself into a super consistent player this year with nine mentions in the best.

Lachlan Channing (Stratford, East Gippsland)

Been one of the most consistent players for his club throughout the season. Continues to be an important goalkicker.

Troy Dolan (Lang Lang, Ellinbank and District)

Arrived at the club from Tooradin-Dalmore in the off-season. Dolan has slotted nicely into the Tigers’ line-up.

Troy Dolan.

Nathan Foote (Kilcunda Bass, West Gippsland)

A back-to-back best-and-fairest winner, Foote is one of the elite midfielders in the competition.

Cody Graske (Omeo-Benambra, Omeo District)

Enjoying a career best season in front of goal, Graske is his side’s leading goalkicker.

Kane Grinstead-Jones (Yinnar, Mid Gippsland)

Having a career year in front of goal for Yinnar and continues to be one of his side’s most important.

Nixon Hall (Yinnar, Mid Gippsland)

Returned to the club where he played some junior footy at the start of the season. Hall has become one of Yinnar’s most important.

Peter Harrison (Lindenow, East Gippsland)

A rising star thriving in his second full season of senior footy. Harrison has been a consistent goalkicker for a Lindenow side which has won just two games.

Dylan Heylen (Nyora, Ellinbank and District)

The senior captain is a seven-time best-and-fairest with the Saints and is the current senior captain. He’s also served as the senior coach.

Josh Hopkins (Korumburra-Beena, West Gippsland)

The senior coach at the Giants. Hopkins has been a dominant force since crossing from Leongatha.

Keenan Hughes (Cowwarr, North Gippsland)

One of the leading forwards in the competition who is loved for his off-field impact. Recently re-signed for three years.

Justin Hunt (Buchan, Omeo District)

Consistently among the goals for his side and is capable of filling his boots.

Kyle Hutchinson (Dalyston, West Gippsland)

Hutchinson has returned to the club and has been one of his side’s most important players.

Thomas Jolly (Boisdale Briagolong, East Gippsland)

Super consistent for the Bombers. The gun midfielder was integral to the premiership last season.

Bryce Joyce (Ellinbank, Ellinbank and District)

Been a regular senior player despite not reaching his peak just yet. Joyce is one of the competition’s most consistent players.

Harley Kenner (Bruthen, Omeo District)

A former league leading goalkicker, Kenner is considered a club great by Bruthen.

Jai Massese (YYN, North Gippsland)

The senior captain brings plenty of energy to the playing group but is one of the league’s most impressive midfielders.

Mason McGarrity (Neerim South, Ellinbank and District)

In his first season with the club and McGarrity has made an immediate impact after crossing from Warragul Industrials. Currently has 75 goals for the season.

Link McKenna (Lucknow, East Gippsland)

Arrived from Bairnsdale in the off-season. He’s added class to the midfield and been a strong option up forward.

Charles Mein (Orbost Snowy Rovers, East Gippsland)

A recruit in the off-season, Mein joined from Paynesville. Consistently among his side’s best.

Angus Mitchell (Buln Buln, Ellinbank and District)

Mitchell has been a new face into the club this season. Moving back to the region after a stint in queensland, he’s kicked 29 goals and been named in the best seven times.

Jeremy Morgan (Woodside, North Gippsland)

The local product is his side’s senior captain. He is regarded for leaving “nothing in the tank”.

Travis Patten (Thorpdale, Mid Gippsland)

Remains one of his side most consistent players with a minor gap between his best and worst footy.

Kayleb Pearce (Yarram, North Gippsland)

Named in the Team of the Year last season. Known for his strong marking and attack on the footy.

Nate Pipicelli (Nar Nar Goon, West Gippsland)

The big man is enjoying one of the best seasons of his career. He’s almost an extra midfielder around the ground.

Jock Overend (Wy Yung, East Gippsland)

Overend has been a consistent player for several years. He plays an important role in the middle of the ground.

Jock Overend.

Jim Reeves (Boisdale Briagolong, East Gippsland)

Again enjoying a fine season in front of goal for his side as the competition’s leading goalkicker.

Jake Richards (Lucknow, East Gippsland)

The big man continues to be one of the most important players for his side and is a dominant force.

Andrew Sandy (Swifts Creek, Omeo District)

Been among his side’s most consistent players this season with several mentions in the best.

Alex Saunders (Swan Reach, Omeo District)

Back for a second stint at the club as it aims for a premiership. He’s been in the best in all eight of his games and has kicked 17 goals.

Lachlan Sauze (Garfield, West Gippsland)

Made his return to the club at the start of the season and is one of the Stars’ most consistent players.

Blake Slater (Trafalgar, Ellinbank and District)

Returned to the club at the start of the season after a stint with Churchill and has proven to be a fantastic signing.

Jake Smith (Nar Nar Goon, West Gippsland)

One of the most respected members of his side. He’s among the current leaders.

Jayden Sullivan (Inverloch Kongwak, West Gippsland)

A strong ball user for his side who is capable of intercepting the ball well.

Shane Thorpe (Lindenow South, Omeo District)

A consistent player in what has been a difficult year for his side.

Max Van Der Zwart (Heyfield, North Gippsland)

The long and rangy Roo is loved and adored for his team first attitude.

Matt Voss (Koo Wee Rup, West Gippsland)

After just eight games last season, the Demons utility has proven once again why he’s an excellent player when up and running.

Shaye Walsh (MDU, Mid Gippsland)

Walsh, a former VFL player, is putting together arguably his best season together for the club since arriving from Queensland in 2023.

Jason Wells (Longwarry, Ellinbank District)

All but set to be the first man to boot 100 goals this weekend. The milestone will be the first in his career. The Crows gun is the leading goalkicker in Victoria.

Jack Weston (Toora, Mid Gippsland)

One of the Magpies’ co-coaches. Weston has thrived with the extra responsibility as a key player for his side.

Jaxsyn Whitehill (Sale City, North Gippsland)

Enjoying another fine season for the Dogs. His pace makes him a critical player.

Piva Wright (Tooradin Dalmore, West Gippsland)

One of the most dominant big men in the competition. He’s putting together another impressive season.

Originally published as Revealed: The unsung heroes of Gippsland footy