The Weekly Times’ Top 100 country footy players for 2025
It’s best and fairest count season in country footy. See how the top shelf stars in The Weekly Times Top 100 country footballers performed.
Darley dynamo Brett Bewley is the The Weekly Times’ No. 1 player in country footy for 2025 with a starring role in another flag in the Ballarat league on Saturday the perfect exclamation mark on a standout season.
A second premiership was almost accompanied by a third Henderson Medal for the former Fremantle Dockers player.
Bewley, who was beaten by a vote by grand final opponent, Sunbury’s Jake Egan, was ranked No. 2 behind Euroa’s Will Hayes in 2023.
Bewley’s grand final stats were insane — 181 ranking points (best-on-ground Nick Hind had 160), 40 disposals (12 more than Egan), 12 clearances (equal with teammate Luther Baker) eight tackles (equal with teammates Lucas Impey and Duncan Cadman) and nine score involvements (the most by any player in the match).
Bewley finished runner-up to Hind in the club’s best and fairest.
PREMIER DATA STATS (Averages for 2025)
Matches: 20
Ranking points: 165
Disposals: 38.4
Contested possessions: 18.4
Clearances: 9.6
He also kicked a goal in the 34-point win after Darley kicked 7.5 to 0.0 in the first quarter.
“He’s an absolute star,” Darley coach Dan Jordan said.
“He works so hard on his game and is always striving to get better.
“A contested bull inside, but then explosive and has elite endurance to run all day.
“His booming left foot is sublime and his ability to bring others into the game is exceptional.
“He has developed into a brilliant leader and is humble and gracious off the field.
“As a coach it is an honour to work with someone so talented, driven, grounded and shows so much humility.”
1. BRETT BEWLEY, Darley
Possesses the most lethal left-boot in country footy and has produced another superb season for the Ballarat league powerhouse.
Led the Henderson Medal by 10 votes with five rounds remaining before being relegated to runner-up by one vote and not playing the last round of the season.
Quickly elevating his standing in the competition as one of the best players since 2000 with his ultra consistent contested ball-winning ability and pace.
2. LACHLAN TARDREW, Sandhurst
The Bendigo league’s modern-day Greg Williams.
Additional responsibility of coaching didn’t dim his brilliance in any way.
Class act for the league’s most dominant team, Tardrew ranked top of the pile for effective clearances, contested possessions and disposals and top-three for score involvements.
Runner-up in the Michelsen Medal after featuring in a three-way tie last year.
Won another Sandhurst club best and fairest late last month from Cooper Smith, adding to the Collingwood VFL best and fairest he won in 2021.
In a massive blow for Sandhurst, Tardrew has signed to play for WAFL club Peel Thunder next season.
Tardrew, 28, was co-coach of Sandhurst this season.
PREMIER DATA STATS (Averages for 2025)
Matches: 18
Ranking points: 165.2
Disposals: 36.3
Contested possessions: 19.1
Clearances: 9.5
Score involvements: 8.6
3. SAM MURRAY, Wangaratta Rovers
Stiff not be voted best-on-ground in last year’s famous upset grand final win last year and has followed up with another brilliant season, leading Wangaratta Rovers to back-to-back flags on Sunday.
Tops the O&M averages for most kicks per match and sits second in disposals in a competition with an unbelievable depth of midfielders.
The Rovers coach’s long-kicking game sets him apart from some high-class rivals.
Won a third successive Rovers’ best and fairest award, named in honour of Collingwood champion Bob Rose who transformed the club into a powerhouse in the late 1950s.
The last Rovers’ player to win three Bob Rose Medals in succession was Andy Hill in 2007, 2008 and 2009 following a brief stint at Collingwood.
PREMIER DATA STATS (Averages for 2025)
Matches: 18
Ranking points: 123
Disposals: 30.2 (21.7 kicks)
Clearances: 6.8
Score involvements: 6.8
4. TOM WILLIAMSON, Ararat
The Wimmera league’s undisputed best player who was touted as an AFL mid-season draft smokey.
His dominance didn’t translate into votes in the Toohey Medal, but remains a major on field force as evidenced by a finals series when he was Ararat’s best player in its three finals matches despite landing himself in hot water with a red card in the second semi-final.
Free to play, Williamson booted five goals in the preliminary final and booted six in the grand final win as Ararat completed a flag hat-trick.
Williamson claimed yet another Ararat best and fairest to add to his Greg Binns Medal for his best-on-ground display in the grand final.
PREMIER DATA STATS (Averages for 2025)
Matches: 18
Ranking points: 167.7
Disposals: 33.3
Kicks: 22.3
Score involvements: 14.1
Goals: 4
5. TYE HOURIGAN, Traralgon
Voted the Gippsland league’s most-valuable-player again in a team that made another grand final with his contribution a major factor.
Swung forward and back in key position roles and always delivers.
Hourigan won a fifth successive Traralgon best and fairest from joint runners-up Tristen Waack and Luis D’Angelo.
Russell Northe holds the record for eight Traralgon best and fairest wins and also played in seven flags.
6. NATHAN VARDY, North Warrnambool
Second season as coach of the Hampden league minor premiers who can lay genuine claims to being the best ruckman in country footy.
In addition to his dominance around the ground, Vardy has gone forward and kicked goals including three in a second semi-final victory masterclass.
Led Lorth Warrnambool to its first Hampden league flag late last month and claimed one of the best-on-ground medals.
Harry Keast won the the club champion award and Matthew Wines was runner-up in the historic flag-winning season.
7. NOAH PEGORARO, Mildura
The former West Perth defender was one of the most sought after players in the lead-up to the 2025 season when he made the move east.
Switched forward and set the Sunraysia league alight with 31 goals in the opening six rounds.
Suffered serious ankle injury late in the season, but returned to play in Mildura flag and finished with 67 goals for the season.
Won the club’s best and fairest in an unforgetabble debut season by 13 votes from ruckman Jonno Lee.
Pegoraro is heading back to the WAFL in 2026 to play for West Perth after being a highly sought after recruit by clubs all over the state.
8. MICK MATTINGLY, Kyabram
Cruelled by injury in his return to the Goulburn Valley last season before returning to his brilliant ball-winning best.
Made a hot start, missed a couple of matches mid-season, before returning to his best in finals as Kyabram won its first flag since 2019 and Mattingly won the Wilf Cox Medal for best-on-ground in the grand final.
Mattingly won his second Kyabram best and fairest by Mattingly a whopping 137 votes from runner-up and co-coach Kaine Herbert with Archie Watt, Aidan Robinson and Jack Russell rounding out the top five.
Mattlingly won his last club best and fairest in 2019, the same year he played in a flag and won the GV Morrison Medal.
He will play for Kyabram again next season.
PREMIER DATA STATS (Averages for 2025)
Matches: 18
Ranking points: 156.2
Disposals: 35.1
Score involvements: 10.1
Clearances: 7.7
Goals: 1.1
9. JAKE EGAN, Sunbury
Produced five successive best-on-ground performances to pip the best player in country footy, Brett Bewley, for the Ballarat league’s Henderson Medal.
A commitment to become an elite player in one of state’s strongest competition paid off.
Finished joint runner-up with Harry Power behind winner Tyson Lever in the Lions’ best and fairest.
PREMIER DATA STATS (Averages for 2025)
Matches: 22
Ranking points: 133.5
Disposals: 27.7
Contested possessions: 15.5
Goals: 1.5
Score involvements: 7.3
10. TOM TOMA, Cohuna Kangas
High expectations surrounded Toma’s return to his original club after stints in the Bendigo league and VFL and he delivered in spades.
Blew up the stats sheet in some matches with one of many standout performances being when he kicked 10 goals and collected 50 possessions.
Toma won the club’s best and fairest in his return season from Ricky Monti.
Toma also won the Kangas best and fairest in 2019 before joining Golden Square where he was also a triple best and fairest winner.
PREMIER DATA STATS (Averages for 2025)
Matches: 17
Ranking points: 183.5
Disposals: 37.6
Kicks: 25.4
Score involvements: 12.8
Goals: 2.8
RANKINGS 11-100
11. Sam Dobson, Koroit
Saints’ leading goalkicker, but Liam Hoy, Connor Byrne and Jack Block filled the first three places in the Saints’ best and fairest.
12. Hamish Hosking, Birchip-Watchem
Joint Feeny Medal was pipped for the Bulls’ best and fairest by star defender Ben Lakin in his first year at the club.
13. Aaron Heppell, Leongatha
Completed a highly impressive return season by taking out the Parrots’ best and fairest by three votes from Luke Bowman.
14. Baxter Mensch, Robinvale-Euston
McLeod Medal winner in the Sunraysia league who also won the club best and fairest by 21 votes from Ethan Gill.
15. Callum Brown, Mansfield
Won the GV Morrison Medal in his first season at the competition and tied with Nick Gray in the Eagles’ best and fairest.
16. Billy Evans, Eaglehawk
Michelsen Medal winner who finished fourth behind winner, ruckman Brayden Frost, Ben Thompson and Joel Budarick in the premiership winning club’s best and fairest.
17. Jaxon East, Myrtleford
Part of a three-way tie in the Ovens & Murray Morris Medal count and finished second to ruckman Riley Smith in Myrtleford’s best and fairest.
18. Ben Taylor, Ararat
Wimmera league best and fairest winner and runner-up to superstar Tom Williamson in the Rats’ best and fairest.
19. Wade Donnan, Sea Lake-Nandaly
Won the club best and fairest by 11 votes from brother Trent with Max Cahoon filling third spot.
20. Jackson Trengove, Cobram
O’Dwyer Medal in a famous premiership-winning season which culminated with victory in the club best and fairest from Tyron Baden.
21. Lewis Taylor, Terang-Mortlake
First Bloods’ winner of the Maskell Medal in 21 years also took out the club best and fairest, beating Joe Arundell.
22. Connor McDonald, Tooleybuc-Manangatang
Joint winner of Jack Betts Medal who claimed another club best and fairest.
23. Shaun Driscoll, Lavington
First Lavington O&M Morris Medal winner since 1987 when he finished in a three-way tie. Strong chance to add the club best and fairest later in the month.
24. Mitch Christensen, Irymple
Edged out by coach Jake Thrum in the club’s best and fairest.
25. Tom Hobbs, Warragul
Finished runner-up in the club’s best and fairest to key defender Sean Masterson, who has won four of the last five awards.
26. Archie Stevens, South Warrnambool
Split his time between Carlton VFL and South, but when he was available for Bloods, he starred. Finished runner-up to Max Irving in the club’s best and fairest with incoming coach Dan Nicholson third.
27. Darby Henderson, Lara
Predictable winner of the Geelong league cellar dweller’s best and fairest.
28. Ben Lakin, Birchip-Watchem
Capped off a great by winning club best and fairest. The Bulls’ best player in the grand final.
29. Ricky Monti, Cohuna Kangas
Runner-up to ball magnet Tom Toma in the club’s best and fairest.
30. Tanner Lovell, Portland
Runner-up to Jay Moody in club’s best and fairest in a year when Portland made big inroads up the ladder into finals.
31. Simon Curtis, Myrtleford
Vintage season from the veteran Saints’ defender who was used in variety of roles with major impact. Finished third behind Riley Smith and Jaxon East in the club best and fairest count on Friday night.
32. Henry Thompson, Woorinen
Joint winner of Jack Betts Medal, premiership player and runner-up to Jye Barry in the club’s best and fairest.
33. Brad Bernacki, Gisborne
Star midfielder who took out another club best and fairest in potentially the club’s last season in Bendigo.
34. Zach Zdybel, Colac
Runner-up to Ben McCarthy in the club’s best and fairest.
35. Charlie Thompson, Wangaratta Rovers
Returned to eventual O&M premiers this season and added further depth to the midfield. Third behind coach Sam Murray and ruckman Ed Dayman in the club’s best and fairest.
36. Jonathan Lee, Mildura
Star in premiership win and also finished runner-up in club best and fairest to excitement machine, Noah Pegoraro.
37. Ben Fennell, Drysdale
Club best and fairest capped off another great season for the Bellarine league club.
38. Billy Lloyd, Southern Mallee
Runner-up in Wimmera Toohey Medal before finishing top-three in Thunder best and fairest behind winner Sam White.
39. Zane Keighran, Calder United
Best and fairest in a premiership winning team underlines the great season he had for Lions. Signed with Bendigo league club Strathfieldsaye for 2026.
40. Cooper Smith, Sandhurst
Runner-up to Bendigo’s best player Lachie Tadrew in the club’s best and fairest in a season that ended with defeat in grand final.
41. Jackson Clarke, Wangaratta
Magpies matchwinner who finished third behind Alex Federico and Chris Knowles in the club’s best and fairest.
42. Paddy Dowling, St Mary’s
Key player in the club’s premiership win from the elimination final and finished close up behind winner Jack Blood in the best and fairest.
43. Ben Crocker, Moe
Gippsland league’s leading goalkicker and finished top-five behind winner Myles Poholke in Lions’ best and fairest.
44. Taylor Cameron, Woorinen
Premiership defender who finished behind Jye Barry and Henry Thompson in the Tigers’ best and fairest.
45. Ben Harding, Leongatha
Gippsland’s Trood Award and Rodda Medal winner who finished seventh behind Aaron Heppell in Parrots’ best and fairest in his first season in the competition.
46. Lochie O’Brien, Wangaratta Rovers
Joint winner of O&M Morris Medal and finished fifth in the Rovers’ best and fairest behind Sam Murray, Ed Dayman, Charlie Thompson and grand final four-goal hero Will Christie.
47. Jordan Johnston, East Point
Another top season, but the club best and fairest was won by star onballer Mickita Rotmah-Onus.
48. Ben Edwards, Birchip-Watchem
Century goalkicker in the North Central league again who finished behind star defender Ben Lakin and ruckman Hamish Hosking in the club’s best and fairest.
49. Brody Haddow, South Bendigo
Big part of the Bloods’ rise up the ladder and won the club’s best and fairest.
50. Nick Hind, Darley
Beating Brett Bewley in the Devils’ best and fairest says everything about the former Essendon speedster’s first season at the club.
51. Hugh Byrne, Echuca
The Murray Bombers’ most consistent player in 2025, but finished third behind winner Mitch Wales and Sam Reid in the club’s best and fairest.
52. Bryden Squire, Congupna
Dominant player in dominant team until Murray league grand final day. Won the club best and fairest from James Boyer and ruckman Tom McCluskey.
53. Ed Perryman, Lavington
Brilliant first year with the O&M club who will be one of the major contenders along with Shaun Driscoll when the best and fairest count is held later in the month.
54. Nic Rippon, Birchip-Watchem
Despite battling injury late in the season, the star onballer had another great season and finished behind Ben Lakin and Hamish Hosking in the Bulls’ best and fairest.
55. Jacob Watts, Shepparton
Topped the voting in the GV Morrison Medal, but was ineligible. Finished behind Ash Holland and Luke Smith in Bears’ best and fairest.
56. Tristen Waack, Traralgon
Runner-up to Tye Hourigan in the Maroons’ best and fairest with a late season knee injury a cruel blow.
57. Hayden Bruce, Phillip Island
Tied with former AFL player Cam Pedersen in the club’s best and fairest.
58. Steve Kennedy, Calder United
Runner-up to Zane Keighran in Lions’ best and fairest and has recommitted for another season with the reigning premiers.
59. Fraser Fort, South Barwon
Brother of Brisbane premiership ruckman Darcy and finished third in South Barwon’s best and fairest behind Geelong VFL listed player Todd White and Doyle Madigan.
60. Kieran Delahunty, Southern Mallee
Thunder coach who missed a chunk of the season with injury before starring in the finals. Sam White won Thunder’s best and fairest.
61. Xavier Laverty, Wangaratta
The Magpies’ youngster was their most improved player this season, but was kept well in check by the Rovers’ defence in the grand final. Alex Federico, who is returning to West Preston-Lakeside in 2026, won Wangaratta’s best and fairest.
62. Mitch Trewhella, Rochester
Former Bendigo league player who completed back-to-back club best and fairests in a season when the Tigers reached the grand final. Also finished runner-up in the Morrison Medal again. Will play for Rochester again in 2026.
63. Boyd Bailey, Morwell
The outgoing Morwell coach finished behind winner Aidan Quigley and runner-up Anthony Rosato in the Tigers’ best and fairest.
64. James Gow, St Joseph’s
Big impact with the eventual Geelong league runner-up led to Gow winning his second Joeys’ best and fairest, finishing in a tie with Luke Webb.
65. Tyler Phillips, Lockington-Bamawm United
Triple Cheatley Medal winner who won LBU’s best and fairest from Bowden Stone.
66. Jack Norman, Congupna
Star player for the Murray league club which had a brilliant season ruined by one bad performance — the grand final. Finished fourth to BJ Squire in the best and fairest.
67. Lachie Sharp, Bridgewater
Standout season by any measure, league best and fairest winner, 125 goals including 15 goals in three finals games. Finished runner-up to midfielder Luke Ellings in the club’s best and fairest. Sharp will coach Bridgewater again in 2026 after losing grand final to Marong.
68. Jake Thrum, Irymple
Took out the club’s best and fairest in a season which fell just short of a flag.
69. Kaine Herbert, Kyabram
Runner-up to Mick Mattingly in the club’s best and fairest in a premiership-winning season.
70. Riley Smith, Myrtleford
Won the Saints best and fairest in his first season at the club where his grandfather and Myrtleford’s greatest player, Kevin Smith, won the same award four times in the 1960s and early 1970s.
71. Isaac Wallace, Warragul
Broke a run of three successive wins in the Gulls best and fairest by defender Sean Masterson last year. High quality season, but finished outside the top-three to Masterson, Tom Hobbs and ruckman Sam Whibley.
72. Sam Lloyd, Geelong Amateur
Joined Geelong Amateur as co-coach this season from home club Deniliquin and narrowly lost the Bellarine grand final to Anglesea. Finished top-five in the club’s best and fairest behind winner Tom Gribble.
73. Manny Sandow, Merrivale
Warrnambool District league best and fairest who finished runner-up to Jalen Porter in club’s best and fairest.
74. Michael Newton, Whorouly
Kicked 151 goals in his first season as coach and won the club’s best and fairest from former Wangaratta teammate Jesse Smith.
75. Jai Thompson, Harrow-Balmoral
Topped the votes in the Horsham District league best and fairest, but was ineligible. Finished fourth in the club best and fairest behind three joint winners, Will Burbury, Peter Staude and Will Plush.
76. Sonny Kettle, Ararat
Third member of Ararat’s premiership team to make the list with Tom Williamson and Ben Taylor the best and fairest winner and runner-up. Kettle took out the club’s rising star award.
77. Jack Cattanach, Hay
After losing the last ever Golden Rivers league best and fairest by one vote to teammate Jacob Watson, the prolific possession winner flipped the result at club level
78. Marty Brennan, Rutherglen
After two years away from the game, Brennan starred on his return, winning the Tallangatta District’s Barton Medal and finishing runner-up to coach Dylan van Berlo in the Cat’s best and fairest.
79. Jackson McMahon, Traralgon
Club best and fairest honours went to Tye Hourigan, but transformed into a regular goalkicker to finish with 53 goals for the season.
80. Brayden Frost, Eaglehawk
Premiership ruckman who also took out the club’s best and fairest.
81. Noah Bradshaw, Wodonga
Rising star of the O&M, who also played some matches for GWS in the VFL. Finished fifth behind winner Adam Jorgensen, Charlie Morrison, who was runner-up for a fourth time, Tom Sullivan and Matt Wilson.
82. Blake Souter, Melton
Finished outside the top-three in the Bloods best and fairest behind winner Braeden Kight and joint runners-up, Kyle Borg and Liam Carter, but was named team value player-of-the-year. Has joined Melton South to play in Riddell District league next season after playing in two flags for Melton.
83. Will Holmes, Holbrook
Followed up a second win in the Hume league Azzi Medal by winning the Brookers’ best and fairest.
84. Flynn Stevenson, Dunnstown
Followed up win in Central Highlands league best and fairest with victory in club count ahead of Will Henderson.
85. Link McKenna, Lucknow
Tied with Stratford coach Nathan Pollard in the East Gippsland league best and fairest and finished in a three-way tie with Joel McNamara and Jack Saulle in the Magpies’ club champion award after a season when they lost the grand final to Wy Yung by one point.
86. Angus Norton, Foster
Huge season for the Foster star. Mid Gippsland league and club best and fairest winner and premiership player ahead of Jake Best, who is taking over as coach in 2026 from Sam Davies, who has had the job for last six years.
87. Josh Fowkes, Stawell
Dominant season in the ruck capped off by club best and fairest win ahead of Sam Williams and forward Paul Summers.
88. Michael Jacobsen, TTU
Backed up his second successive win in the North Gippsland league best and fairest with the club award ahead of Frazar Brouns.
89. Braden Padmore, Lake Boga
Made an instant impact in the Central Murray league and won the Magpies best and fairest.
90. Ethan Murdock, Dartmoor
Followed up victory in the South West District league best and fairest by edging out Jayden Polaski for the club top player award.
91. Lachlan Wallace, Thorpdale
Despite playing only nine games, the Frankston YCW recruit polled strongly in the Mid Gippsland league best and fairest.
92. Josh Rentsch, Penshurst
Back-to-back wins in the Mininera District league best and fairest was followed up with victory in the club best and fairest ahead of Jayden Watson.
93. Kody Wilson, Neerim Neerim South
Big season for the Cats’ star. Premiers and champions, league and club best and fairest winner and player of the finals.
94. Kieran Vickery, Orbost Snowy-Rovers
First season back at his original club ended with club best and fairest win ahead of Curtley Nettleton.
95. Jackson Bowen, Carisbrook
Narrow grand final defeat denied the Carisbrook star the perfect season after winning the league and club best and fairest.
96. Jordan Gattuso, Shepparton East
Pipped by swing man Ryan Pfeiffer in the club best and fairest after making the Kyabram District team-of-the-year.
97. Sammy Baker, Barwon Heads
Strong season which included finishing tied in the Bellarine league best and fairest and third place in the club best and fairest behind winner Damo McMahon and runner-up Luke Davis.
98. Lochie Conboy, Berrigan
Winner of the Picola District league Pearce Medal who backed up with victory in the club best and fairest. Has signed for O&M club Albury in 2026.
99. James McClounan, Greta
Ovens & King Baker Medal winner who won the club’s best and fairest from Des Kelly.
100. Clint Brunnenmeyer, Bullioh
Premiership coach and league best and fairest winner in the Upper Murray league.
