Geelong Advertiser | IT’S the ultimate local footy debate: just who are the best players in the state’s best country footy league?
It’s a question with no correct answer but one that stirs up vigorous discussion around local footy clubrooms and sidelines every week. Today, with the GFL season officially kicking off this weekend, I’ve put my head on the chopping block in an attempt to rank the league’s elite.
Everyone will have their opinion and that’s the best part. This Top 50 was formed after seeking the opinions of people from every GFL club, the views of astute observers and trawling through mountains of statistics and individual honours.
That delivered a shortlist of 100, which left the painstaking task of shaving it back to 50. And for the sake of clarification, players including Jackson Sheringham, Sandy Robinson, Mitch Herbison, Ben Raidme, Joel Corey and Tom Ruggles have been left out based on their expected duties at higher levels. Let the debate begin!
1. Jason Davenport (North Shore)
ONE long-time local footy observer remarked that Davenport was “the best player in the competition by a mile”. There may not quite be that much daylight between him and the rest, but the impact he had in his first season at North Shore last year was enough to have him edge clear into No.1 spot. The former Geelong and Port Adelaide player nearly won the Mathieson Medal last year in a side that failed to win a game for the season. Davenport shoulders a load of responsibility unlike anyone else in the league but should be helped out this year by the recruitment of former teammate Nathan Djerkurra. He is the complete package: a line-breaking midfielder moving into the prime age, and is entrenched in the North Shore rebuild.
2. Tim Sheringham (Bell Park)
Head and shoulders above the rest as Bell Park’s best player, no mean feat in a packed midfield. Kicks goals, wins contested football,plays with passion, leads from the front and has an aura about him on the field. Captain of the GFL interleague side and won the best-on-ground medal in the 1 v 2 showdown. All class.
3. Dale Carson (St Joseph’s)
The most important player at St Joseph’s, the most versatile big man in the GFL and has won Joeys’ past three best-and-fairest awards. That’s why he is so high. Carson is the ultimate swingman with years of experience. Once the GFL’s leading goal kicker, now the rock of the Joeys’ backline, completing big shut down roles.
4. Daniel Lovick (St Joseph’s)
Returning champion who has wide admiration in GFL circles after years of being the springboard of Joeys’ defence. A two-time winner of the GFL’s Mathieson Medal, which says it all. Lovick has seen life from outside the Joeys bubble after two successful seasons at the Shepparton Swans. Fierce and determined.
5. Dan Feery (Newtown & Chilwell)
Highly regarded midfielder who won Newtown & Chilwell’s best and fairest last year but remarkably didn’t poll a vote in the Mathieson Medal despite being the hot tip of GFL coaches. Don’t think he’ll go unnoticed this year. Still, he at least made last year’s GFL team of the year. Track watchers at Newtown say he is again looming as a standout.
6. Mark Corrigan (South Barwon)
Won South Barwon’s best and fairest last year despite playing only 13 games. Genuine A-grade midfielder who wins matches himself and is now one of the best local footballers of this era. Higher-level coaching commitments may limit how many games he plays but the former VFL champion is still in the absolute elite.
7. Rob Condy (Newtown & Chilwell)
Back home at Newtown & Chilwell after a coaching stint at St Mary’s, where he won their best-and-fairest and made the cut for a midfield spot in the GFL team of the year. A vocal onfield leader who uses the ball as well as anyone, the former VFL player’s return to the Eagles could be the difference in their push for a flag.
8. Jake Carmody (Colac)
Capable of doing freakish things in the Colac forward line and regularly stood up against the better teams. A powerful ally for Jake McGuane in attack. Described as the best one-grab mark in the league. Was named full-forward in the GFL team of the year and was again one of the league’s most prolific goal kickers last year (56 from 18 games).
9. Jarrod Young (Grovedale)
Grovedale’s best midfielder who is closing in a return from a knee reconstruction. It was little coincidence that the Tigers tumbled out of contention last year without their inspirational leader. Determined champion who has state-level and interleague experience, and will feature prominently for the club this year.
10. Micah Buchanan (Colac)
Best-and-fairest winner in a premiership year, and delivered big time on the finals stage, helping the Tigers march from fifth to win the flag. Wins his own footy in the midfield but knows where the goals are and knows how to find space. Made the wing in the GFL team of the year. But there remains a question how much footy he will play this year.
