See the leading country footy goalkickers for 2025 season

Country footy has started in almost every league and the race to be the state’s leading goalkicker is also underway. See the players to watch in 2025.

Another country footy season has started and the star forwards are already booting big bags of goals.

Birchip-Watchem’s Ben Edwards booted 13 goals in the opening round of the North Central league to be the early leader in the statewide goalkicking race.

But he’s expected to have some hot competition with some players who also kicked 100 goals backing up for another season.

We’ve listed 10 forwards to keep an eye on in 2025.

BEN EDWARDS, Birchip-Watchem

Kicked more than 100 goals in a team that finished runner-up in the North Central league last season.

Brought up his ton when the Bulls pipped eventual premier Sea Lake-Nandaly in the second semi-final.

Began 2025 in ominous form when he kicked 13 against Charlton and is in line for another big bag in round 2 when the Bulls take on an undermanned Donald.

BRANDYN GRENFELL, Colbinabbin

Former Marong and Nyah-Nyah West United forward will play for Colbinabbin this year. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Played in three flags and kicked more than 350 goals in the last three seasons.

Grenfell booted more than 100 goals for Marong in two premiership wins in 2022-23 before kicking 89 goals in another flag win by Nyah-Nyah West United last year.

JOSH MELLINGTON, Bears Lagoon-Serpentine

A severe hamstring injury last year ended his inevitable march towards kicking 100 goals in a fourth country footy league.

Mellington had booted 93 goals before he went down in round 10.

Has started the 2025 season on a high with eight goals against Bridgewater, which is being coached by Lachlan Sharp, who booted 138 goals in his first season in the Loddon Valley league.

LEIGH WILLIAMS, Yarrawonga

Leigh Williams has taken over from Steve Johnson as Yarrawonga coach. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Been a consistent goalkicker since joining the Ovens & Murray club in 2022 when he booted 78 goals and another 65 when the Pigeons won the flag in 2023.

Takes over from Steve Johnson as Yarrawonga coach after the club’s shock grand final defeat last year.

Closing in 1000 career goals with 24 required to bring up four figures.

PATRICK IRELAND, Leongatha

After booting 111 goals in a premiership-winning season for Buln Buln in the Ellinbank District league, Ireland played the first round of 2025 with Leongatha and booted two goals.

He is also on the Casey Demons’ VFL list with another Leongatha player Jenson Garnham, but both will play again for Leongatha in round 2 due to the VFL competition-wide bye.

JAMES LLOYD, Murchison-Toolamba

Murchison-Toolamba’s James Lloyd was the leading goalkicker in country footy in 2024. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Kicked the most goals by any player in country footy in 2024 with 137 goals for the eventual premiers in the Kyabram District league.

Booted 19 goals in round 9 and kicked double digit totals on four other occasions.

Started 2025 strongly with seven goals in the season opener against Girgarre.

JOSH RENTSCH, Penshurst

Dream return season to Penshurst for the player who tied for the 2021 Morrish Medal with another country footy star, Flynn Lakey.

Rentsch kicked 93 goals in the Mininera District league, won the league medal and played in a flag in the club’s 150th year.

Has been appointed co-coach of Penshurst with the reigning premiers fronting up against Wickliffe-Lake Bolac in the grand final replay on Saturday.

SAM DUNSTAN, Huntly

Sam Dunstan kicked more than 50 goals for Corowa-Rutherglen last season. Picture: Supplied

Despite kicking 51 goals in a team coming out of recess and winning only one match in one of the state’s strongest leagues, Dunstan won’t be part of the anticipated revival by Corowa-Rutherglen.

Instead, Dunstan will play at his fifth club since 2001 when he lines up for Huntly in the Heathcote District league.

TOM WILLIAMSON, Ararat

Ararat’s Tom Williamson was the leading goalkicker in the Wimmera league last year. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Incredible season for Ararat last year when he helped the club to back-to-back flags, won the Wimmera league Toohey Medal, topped the league goalkicking table and won the club’s best and fairest.

Ranked the No. 1 player in country football last year by the Weekly Times.

His 66 goals included six in the second semi-final win against Southern Mallee with a season best nine against Horsham Saints in round 5.

KYLE MUELLER, Congupna

Kyle Mueller brought up his 100th goal for Congupna in the grand final last year. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

The former Kyabram star made an instant impact on the Murray league when he averaged close to six goals per game in the opening six rounds.

Kicked 15 against Barooga in round 17 and brought up his 100th goal for the season in the one-point grand final win against Finley.