Country Footy SA
http://www.countryfooty.com.au/BarossaL ... Gawler.htmWith the 2009 BL&G season just around the corner Freelance Photojournalist Peter Argent has a look at the footballers he believes will be the 25 most influential players for the winter ahead.
1.
Malcolm Greenwood – Tanunda ( the 2008 premiership player and the person most people thought was best on ground in the Grand Final, the robust skilful and creative on baller can also go forward and be damaging in attack. A pair of Mail medals – the Whillas and a Schulter medals - confirms his brilliance.)
2.
Darren Leske – Freeling (A four times best and fairest at Freeling, Leske just continued to perform at every level - club, association and zone football.)
3.
Scott Hahn – Central (The forward in the BL&G competition with the best defensive aspect to his game – an accurate kick and strong over the ball.)
4.
Brad Valentine– Kapunda (Tough uncompromising and creative, Valentine has the ability to play in a key role or as a following. His was a state country selection for the second time last year.)
5.
Matt Cragg-Sapsford- Nuriootpa (clearly the best tap ruckman in the BL&G if not country footy, Cragg-Sapsford gives the Tigers rovers an armchair ride.)
6.
Matthew Dawes - Angaston (on reputation alone Dawes will have a big impact at the Panthers. He is a hard running mid fielder who will get plenty of possessions)
7.
Ben Casey - Willaston (Having already played in this competition with Freeling, Casey further enhanced his career with Broadview by winning Pfitzner medal , the SAAFL best and fairest in division one)
8.
Heath Commane – Barossa (this strong marking footballer is the epitome of what is a power forward. Also able to play in defence and give rebound.)
9.
Ben Newberry – Tanunda (A high possession winning link man, Newberry was runner up to the 2008 Schluter medal and also missed two weekend playing zone and state country football. A quality player and a quality finisher.)
10.
Kris Vanderloo – South (this former BL&G junior will become one of the elite mid fielders in the competition in 2009. Has pace, runs all day and finishes well, Kris has also played SANFL league footy.)
11.
Luke Wells – Tanunda (Always being immensely talented, this young Magpies ruckman had a breakthrough year in ’08, culminating in selection in the zone championships team of the carnival.)
12.
Adam Spencer – Barossa (Although injury prone last year, Spencer still had a telling effect up forward. Is equally adept as an attacking mid fielder.)
13.
Brad Taylor – Central (A perennial strong performer since arriving in the league at the start of the decade.)
14.
Alex Kennedy - Tanunda (Besides his obvious goal kicking ability in attack, Kennedy has the ability to play any key position on the ground from full back. He has strong hands and a booming kick.)
15.
Craig Robinson – Angaston (The Panthers second key import this year Robinson comes to the club with a wealth of experience. He has old fashioned football smarts and will be a big attribute for the club.)
16.
Luke Mensforth – Freeling (A 193cm (6’4”) strongly built key position player with SANFL league experience. He is equally capable in defence or attack and will be a real presence in this competition.)
17.
Ross Christie - Barossa (Like Mensforth, Christie has size and adaptability. He can close down opposition forward, become a key goal kicking target in attack or lead the first ruck. Christie is also a mature footballer with leadership qualities.)
18.
Darren Sharp – Barossa (Many people rate Sharp as pound for pound the best footballer in the BL&G. Whether he creating run off half back, getting a defensive, being used as a sharp shooter in the full forward line or across half forward in a more creative role, he has all the attributes of a champion.)
19.
Shawn Gibson – Nuriootpa (A hard working and skilful mid fielder, Gibson finishing skills are second to none. Plays club, association and representative zone football with the same work ethic. Can also be used as a defender.)
20.
Tom Schiller – Tanunda (A hard run and creative player, Schiller is black and white blooded. Not afraid of the hard ball, he can also play as an outside midfielder and has good finishing skills.
21.
Shaun Baker – Willaston (the 2007 mail medallist Baker is an outstanding talent. While his 20008 seasons as a little quieter than the previous one, fully focused he is a star of the competition.)
22.
Aaron Bayliss – South (Bayliss has most of the attributes of his new team mate Kris Vanderloo – plenty of pace and run and finishes well.)
23.
Andrew Prior – Tanunda (The best defender in the competition, Prior’s good work often goes unrecognized. He didn’t have a good kicked on him in the zone championships and was unlucky not to get state country selection.)
24.
Greg Bain – Angaston (A true young gun of the competition, Bain has great balance, the confidence to compete and match it with the best.)
25.
Craig Gogoll – Nuriootpa (A 193cm key defender who has represented his state at junior level, Gogoll will be important to the tigers’ structure in 2009.)
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