GFL Top 100: #50-26 players revealed with superstars, ex-AFL premiership players ranked

Some of the competition’s biggest names are starting to appear, with the top 25 players, according to the Addy’s footy experts, set to be revealed on Saturday.

Check out the first two rankings below.

GFL 100: Rankings #100-76 revealed

GFL 100: Rankings #75-51 revealed

50. William McKenzie (Lara)

Season Stats: 18 games, 24.6 disposals, 75.2% efficiency, 7.5 marks, 3.9 intercept marks, 2.4 inside 50s, 103 ranking points

McKenzie moved to Lara at the start of the 2023 season and played every game in the senior side, quickly becoming one of the competition’s best intercept defenders.

His ball use off the back flank is rated elite in the competition, and his ability to cause turnovers as teams surge forward was a real asset for the Cats this season.

49. Luke Hillman (Colac)

Season Stats: 16 games, 11.3 disposals, 3.7 marks, 1.8 inside 50s, 2.3 goals, 52.1 ranking points

One of Colac’s consistent avenues to goal, Hillman enjoyed another strong campaign in 2023.

His total of 38 goals through the home-and-away season included bags of at least four goals six different times, including his round 1 effort against North Shore where he booted six majors.

48. Tylar Watts (Geelong West)

Season Stats: 16 games, 13 disposals, 8.1 contested possessions, 4.7 tackles, 22.4 hit outs, 3.4 clearances, 90.9 ranking points

The young Giants ruck has been one of the competition’s biggest improvers since moving to the GFNL from Portland, making his VFL debut for Geelong earlier this season.

Watts is a physical ruck that is super mobile for a big body and is not afraid of a contest, leading the competition’s ruck contingent for tackles this season.

47. Cassidy Parish (Grovedale)

Season Stats: 14 games, 24 disposals, 76.5% efficiency, 12.6 contested possessions, 7.6 clearances, 2.8 tackles, 100 ranking points

Parish really grew in responsibility as the season went on, becoming one of the Tigers’ best clearance players in the second half of the season.

The young star has been linked to Winchelsea for 2024 in what would be a reunion with his brothers at the Blues, but has proven this season he is a very reliable midfielder in a strong competition.

46. Oliver Tate (Leopold)

Season Stats: 10 games, 27 disposals, 73% efficiency, 6.4 marks, 4.4 clearances, 2.7 tackles, 108.1 ranking points

Tate was arguably Leopold’s best player across the four finals games the Lions played, with the midfielder averaging close to 35 touches per contest and helping the club to its second senior GFNL premiership.

He only just passed the threshold of games to be eligible for this list so he has dropped down the rankings because of that, but on his day Tate is one of the league’s best ball winners.

45. Lachlan Handley (Geelong West)

Season Stats: 14 games, 22.6 disposals, 83.1% efficiency, 5 marks, 1.8 inside 50s, 106.4 ranking points

Handley was the competition’s most consistent kick of the footy in 2023, ranking first in kicking efficiency across the GFNL.

15 of his 18 kicks per game found a target, and he only turned the ball over by foot 22 times for the entire season at the Giants.

44. Jon Simpkin (Colac)

Season Stats: 16 games, 18.7 disposals, 6.1 marks, 4.3 inside 50s, 1.7 goals, 70.7 ranking points

Simpkin may be close to finishing his decorated footy career, but the 2013 AFL premiership player still showed signs he is an elite footballer at the local level this year.

Playing almost exclusively in the forward line this season, Simpkin’s nous near goal was evident with his ability to both slot majors consistently as well as set up his teammates for shots at the big sticks.

43. Sam Scott (Leopold)

Season Stats: 14 games, 20.6 disposals, 10.2 contested possessions, 4 clearances, 2.5 tackles, 4.1 inside 50s, 1.1 goals, 85.5 ranking points

Scott showed his wares as both a midfielder and a forward this season, with the Lions assistant coach booting two or more goals six different times in 2023.

He slotted two goals in the grand final win over South Barwon, playing primarily as a forward with Leopold boasting a dominant midfield that day, but was an elite option over the course of the season to line up in the middle.

42. Nathan Deans (Grovedale)

Season Stats: 17 games, 24.1 disposals, 11.4 contested possessions, 5.9 clearances, 4.2 tackles, 4.8 inside 50s, 100.8 ranking points

There was no sign of rust from Deans, who had missed almost two full years of football after a horrific knee injury almost put the Tigers captain into retirement.

Deans played in round 1 and barely missed from there, only missing one game for the entire season and being a vital piece in Grovedale’s centre square work.

41. Todd White (South Barwon)

Season Stats: 18 games, 23.8 disposals, 74% efficiency, 6.2 marks, 2.7 intercept marks, 1.7 inside 50s, 96.3 ranking points

White was a dangerous rebounding option for the Swans, often linking with tall marking targets like Fraser Fort and Matt Caldow, or providing run-and-carry out of defence.

His long kicks gave South Barwon great flexibility in its attacking thrusts, able to switch on McDonald Reserve in one kick and give the attack a new angle going forward.

40. Patrick Dowling (St Mary’s)

Season Stats: 16 games, 15 disposals, 5.9 marks, 2.7 inside 50s, 2.7 goals, 70.6 ranking points

An elite medium forward option, Dowling would make any defender nervous in a marking contest.

Elite pace and agility, strong overhead and great awareness and goalsense, Dowling booted 36 goals in the home-and-away season, including a bag of eight majors against North Shore, proving he is as hard a match-up as anyone.

39. Kody Spokes (Colac)

Season Stats: 18 games, 22.6 disposals, 70.6% efficiency, 5.2 marks, 4.1 tackles, 3.1 inside 50s, 90.2 ranking points

Spokes was one of Colac’s most consistent performers, playing through the midfield as well as rotating as a high half-forward at times too.

A legend of the club, Spokes helped lift Colac to a second-placed finish in the home-and-away season with elite ball use and two-way running efforts.

38. Adam Garner (Colac)

Season Stats: 14 games, 12.5 disposals, 4.6 marks, 4.5 hit outs, 2 goals, 70.9 ranking points

Garner’s campaign earned him a team-of-the-year position in the forward pocket, having slotted 29 goals in the home-and-away season while also playing back-up ruck and moving behind the ball at times.

The key forward’s versatility offered plenty for the Tigers, who finished with the second-best record of the season, and only twice was Garner kept goalless across his 14-game season.

37. Andrew Boseley (South Barwon)

Season Stats: 17 games, 10 disposals, 5.4 marks, 3.5 marks inside 50, 1.9 inside 50s, 2.8 goals, 67.1 ranking points

Somehow Boseley’s season has flown under the radar despite almost kicking 50 goals for the season, with the tall marking forward lining up with co-Mathieson Medalists Fraser Fort and Matt Caldow in a potent forward line.

Boseley played as the deep, lead-up forward, often taking the opposition’s top-line key defender, and despite the attention he still kicked the third-most goals for the season and was only kept goalless twice while also kicking at least four goals in eight different games.

36. Braden Hocking (Newtown & Chilwell)

Season Stats: 18 games, 17.3 disposals, 73.6% efficiency, 7 marks, 2.1 marks inside 50, 1.7 intercept marks, 1.7 goals, 92.2 ranking points

Hocking booted 30 goals for the season, which would be impressive for any full-time forward, but the key position utility spent half the season down back as well.

He actually kicked goals in just 10 of his games this season, with seven games ending with more than three goals, and was one of the league’s top lockdown defenders when he played down back.

35. James Hickey (St Joseph’s)

Season Stats: 17 games, 22.2 disposals, 7.8 contested possessions, 3.4 marks, 5.1 clearances, 3.5 tackles, 84.9 ranking points

The star Joey was a key reason why the club outperformed many people’s expectations in the first season under coach Ron Watt.

After a mass exodus of senior players, St Joseph’s turned to youth, but Hickey’s influence and class in the senior side almost got the club to finals, with the smart and savvy footballer excelling through the midfield.

34. Liam Nash (Newtown & Chilwell)

Season Stats: 17 games, 23.9 disposals, 5.6 marks, 4.4 clearances, 4.9 inside 50s, 95.9 ranking points

Fresh to the club in 2023, Nash lined up in the centre square in his club debut and never looked back, becoming an integral part of the midfield mix at the Eagles.

Running alongside some of the league’s best midfielders, Nash looked right at home, with some mammoth games throughout the course of the season.

His ability to find a target inside forward 50 was a highlight throughout the season.

33. Dan Weigl (Lara)

Season Stats: 18 games, 22.5 disposals, 72.9% efficiency, 6.3 marks, 2.1 inside 50s, 92.1 ranking points

Weigl’s consistent campaign for Lara was rewarded with team-of-the-year honours, having made the transition back to full-time local footy this year after plying his trade at Geelong’s VFL program in 2022.

He was one of the competition’s premier defenders in a side that struggled at times to contain opposing forwards, but Weigl’s shutdown abilities, coupled with smart decision making and intercepting ability, made him one of the Cats’ most important players.

32. Emmanuel Ajang (Geelong West)

Season Stats: 12 games, 24.2 disposals, 74.4% efficiency, 10.3 contested possessions, 3.8 clearances, 0.9 goals, 110 ranking points

Ajang was unlucky to miss selection in Werribee’s grand final side, a testament to both his GFNL and VFL form this season.

He is one of the competition’s elite midfielders, with a burst of speed out of the contest not hindering his ability to deliver the ball inside 50, while also kicking some amazing goals over the course of the season.

His selection in the VFL side has cost him placings on the list, with Ajang only playing 12 GFNL games for the Giants in 2023.

31. Ned Harris (Newtown & Chilwell)

Season Stats: 17 games, 26.9 disposals, 6.9 marks, 2.8 clearances, 4.5 inside 50s, 0.8 goals, 106.7 ranking points

A classy outside ball user, Harris was a great run-and-carry midfielder for the Eagles this season, meshing well with Matt Boag, Blake Sutterby and Matt McMahon.

His ability to find Lachlan Bond up forward, as well as Braden Hocking and Matt Boag, showed his elite footy IQ and vision when he had ball in hand.

30. Jack Driver (South Barwon)

Season Stats: 9 games, 16.3 disposals, 7.1 marks, 4.2 intercept marks, 1.4 spoils, 84.1 ranking points

Driver’s ability to make the GFNL team of the year despite playing just nine games reveals how much respect the intercept defender has from his opposing coaches.

The defensive Swan showed his goal-kicking capabilities throughout the finals campaign, and was a crucial member in the backline for the Swans when he was on the park.

29. Harris Jennings (Leopold)

Season Stats: 17 games, 19.8 disposals, 74.6% efficiency, 7.9 contested possessions, 5.7 marks, 2.4 inside 50s, 87.2 ranking points

Unlucky not to make the team of the year, Jennings was outstanding down back for the Lions in 2023.

Jennings was elite in the air, restricting opposing key forwards to limited output while still averaging almost 20 touches per game himself.

28. Rowan Gough (South Barwon)

Season Stats: 17 games, 13.5 disposals, 79.7% efficiency, 5 marks, 2.8 intercept marks, 5.5 spoils, 74.6 ranking points

A true lockdown defender, Gough earned plenty of trust and respect from Mark Neeld at South Barwon after impressive performances against some of the competition’s best forwards.

Gough was a key player in the Swans’ grand final run, and was arguably the team’s best player on the biggest stage despite a 50-point loss to Leopold.

27. Trent West (Leopold)

Season Stats: 12 games, 9.8 disposals, 2.5 clearances, 49.5 hit outs, 87.9 ranking points

West is one of the competition’s best players, and the argument of the league’s best ruck between him and Grovedale’s Ryan Abbott is one that could be had ad nauseam.

The Lions ruck was dominant in 2023, despite missing six games throughout the course of the season through injury, and was a huge performer on grand final day for Leopold.

26. Matty Lloyd (Newtown & Chilwell)

Season Stats: 12 games, 32.7 disposals, 4.8 inside 50s, 116.5 ranking points

Lloyd’s consistent 2023 campaign was highlighted by continual selection in Geelong’s VFL program, meaning he was only able to piece together 12 games for the Eagles this season.

But the rebounding defender and running midfielder was one of the competition’s best ball winners when on the park, with elite ball use, run-and-carry capabilities and footy smarts helping Newtown & Chilwell to plenty of success.

Already Revealed Rankings

51. Lachlan Bond – Newtown & Chilwell

52. Jesse Travaglini – St Mary‘s

53. Mitch Day – Lara

54. Cam Wilkinson – Newtown & Chilwell

55. Ethan Liddle – Geelong West

56. Sam Christensen – St Mary‘s

57. Bayley Cockerill – Lara

58. Ben McCarthy – Colac

59. Doyle Madigan – South Barwon

60. Mitch Diamond – Newtown & Chilwell

61. Fraser Duryea – South Barwon

62. Brad Gerrard – North Shore

63. Connor Fopiani – Newtown & Chilwell

64. Stephen Bensted – Bell Park

65. Sam Donegan – St Albans

66. Jonty Broughton – South Barwon

67. Charlie Byrne – Newtown & Chilwell

68. Ed Boyer – Bell Park

69. Fletcher Keck – St Albans

70. Connor Linehan-Cunningham – Lara

71. Max Augerinos – St Mary‘s

72. Connor Giddings – Leopold

73. Jack McMahon – Bell Park

74. Charlie Sprague – St Mary‘s

75. Sam Witherden – North Shore

76. Lewis Antonac – St Joseph‘s

77. Taylor Mulraney – South Barwon

78. Zak Mirkovic – Bell Park

79. Isaac Wareham – Bell Park

80. Nick Stevens – St Mary‘s

81. Sam Bourke – St Mary‘s

82. Benjamin Worme – Bell Park

83. Connor Walmsley – North Shore

84. Bailey Ettridge – Lara

85. Luke Maddock – Newtown & Chilwell

86. Harry Cunningham – South Barwon

87. Charlie Harris – Newtown & Chilwell

88. Harry McMahon – St Mary‘s

89. Jacob Sammut-Miljevic – North Shore

90. Jarryn McCormack – Colac

91. Damian McMahon – St Mary‘s

92. Harrison Ling – St Mary‘s

93. Aaron Stone – Lara

94. Ryan Monaghan – Colac

95. Tom Rieniets – Colac

96. William Sheahan – Leopold

97. Jack Leonard – North Shore

More Coverage

GFL 100: Next rankings revealed as stars fill #75-51

Matthew Forrest

GFL 100: Rankings 100-76 revealed for league’s top players

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98. Ben Kellett – South Barwon

99. Olivier Northam – St Joseph‘s

100. Cooper Hayes – Colac

Originally published as GFL Top 100: #50-26 players revealed with superstars, ex-AFL premiership players ranked