Great Southern Football League

[wenchbarwer]

Rumour has it another big Port forward is going to play some games in the GSFL in 2025. This one will give the backmen some sleepless nights though !

Hope it's not as silly as the NicNat to Willunga rumour from a couple of years ago

[field of dreams]

Rumour has it another big Port forward is going to play some games in the GSFL in 2025. This one will give the backmen some sleepless nights though !

Hope it's not as silly as the NicNat to Willunga rumour from a couple of years ago

Haha. It seemed to have some merit behind it

[field of dreams]

Compass continue to shop in the SFL, Churchill joining Hooper and Schulz for 2025.

The young Aldinga lads would be points yeah? Interesting

Churchill definitely would be, reckon he turns 20 next year. Pretty sure Hooper is the same though stand to be corrected. That would be 9 points with the inclusion of Schulz as well.

It looks like they are Up to 15 points now.
Only have 12 to use though

[field of dreams]

Jaidan Kappler to VH.

[wenchbarwer]

Jaidan Kappler to VH.

Big oval, he'll be in his element

[Cheap Seats]

Jaidan Kappler to VH.

Big oval, he'll be in his element

He's a different type to McKinnon, but maybe that is what they're looking for. A few big ovals he'll enjoy i'd say.

[Cheap Seats]

Rumour has it another big Port forward is going to play some games in the GSFL in 2025. This one will give the backmen some sleepless nights though !

Hope it's not as silly as the NicNat to Willunga rumour from a couple of years ago

I'm assuming you're talking about Dixon? He's playing for half the state isn't he haha. Be good for them to get a couple of games from him though. I wonder what the contact is?

[wenchbarwer]

Rumour has it another big Port forward is going to play some games in the GSFL in 2025. This one will give the backmen some sleepless nights though !

Hope it's not as silly as the NicNat to Willunga rumour from a couple of years ago

I'm assuming you're talking about Dixon? He's playing for half the state isn't he haha. Be good for them to get a couple of games from him though. I wonder what the contact is?

He's been linked to nearly every league in SA!!

[field of dreams]

6 weeks since we had an ins/outs update. You blokes seem to be in the know….. got time for an update?

[am Bays]

I see Pongy announced the return of Hayden Sampson on their socials over the weekend.

There's a shock.

[field of dreams]

Good get.
Favourite son returns
Only 24/25 yo
Zero points
No addition to salary cap.
Perfect

[Newkid]

Things turning sour down the creek after moving on the coach galbs… I hear legal action to be taken over he whole thing???

[jackpot jim]

Things turning sour down the creek after moving on the coach galbs… I hear legal action to be taken over he whole thing???

Pretty Sh*t when when lawyers get involved in country footy FFS

Dont know the specifics but it was indicated to him that he would be given 2 years even tho i believe Clubs can only sign coaches to 1 year contracts. (SANFL Rules ? )
So i guess it's a matter of how much a handshake stands up in court ?

[Local GSFL Man]

[quote="Cheap Seats"][quote="Local GSFL Man"]Myponga

In: haydon Sampson

Out: Ben Kennedy, Sam Kennedy, Levi Proude, Ryan Kelly, Harrison cock, Jon Butcher

Victor Harbor

In: Jayden Kappler, Clayton Messecke

Out: Jesse McKinnon

Encounter Bay

In: James Brown, Brad Kreuger, Will Marshall, Nick Marshall, Jayden white, Mitch Davis, Bailey Coleman-oaks, Pete Spurling

Out:

Mclaren

In: Josh Vandermeer, Matt Raitt

Out:

Langhorne creek

In:

Out: Peter Galbraith, Dawson

Mount Compass

IN: Nathan Shultz, Shane Heatly, Braden Hooper, Ryan Shery

Out:

Strathalbyn

IN: Liam Stirling, Liam Newton, Jordan Kenny, Declan Gladigau

Out: Jordy hall, Ben simons, Marc Elliot, cooper Machin, Jackson Machin

Willunga

In: Dan Nobles, Liam Nye

Out: Colwell, Shery

Yankailla

In: Cameron Ker, Ryan Fisher

Out Scott Biddle

Goolwa

In: Caleb pope, Jayden Davis, Riley davis, Ethan Cinc, Noah Ramsaway, jye Bottrof, Carter Norman

Out:

[ORDoubleBlues]

Sam McKenzie has left Langhorne Creek to sign with Echunga

[goddy11]

Myponga

In: haydon Sampson

Out: Ben Kennedy, Sam Kennedy, Levi Proude, Ryan Kelly, Harrison cock, Jon Butcher

Victor Harbor

In: Jayden Kappler, Clayton Messecke

Out: Jesse McKinnon

Encounter Bay

In: James Brown, Brad Kreuger, Will Marshall, Nick Marshall, Jayden white, Mitch Davis, Bailey Coleman-oaks, Pete Spurling

Out:

Mclaren

In: Josh Vandermeer, Matt Raitt

Out:

Langhorne creek

In:

Out: Peter Galbraith, Dawson

Mount Compass

IN: Nathan Shultz, Shane Heatly, Braden Hooper, Ryan Shery

Out:

Strathalbyn

IN: Liam Stirling, Liam Newton, Jordan Kenny, Declan Gladigau

Out: Jordy hall, Ben simons, Marc Elliot, cooper Machin, Jackson Machin

Willunga

In: Dan Nobles, Liam Nye

Out: Colwell, Shery

Yankailla

In: Cameron Ker, Ryan Fisher

Out Scott Biddle

Goolwa

In: Caleb pope, Jayden Davis, Riley davis, Ethan Cinc, Noah Ramsaway, jye Bottrof, Carter Norman

Out:

Lots of outs but not many ins at this stage.

Pongy losing a few. :

[wenchbarwer]

Now it's the GSFL's turn:

The Great Southern Football League has been stacked with top talent for decades.

With the help of league insiders, we’ve ranked our top 25 players of the past 25 years with season 2025 just around the corner.

Footballing ability, achievements, awards and impact were taken into account when making selections.

Players with only one season in the competition were deemed ineligible, meaning some big names miss out.

Here is our list from 25 to 1.

25. BEN DAVIS
(Encounter Bay)

A supremely skilled player for Encounter Bay, Davis has tallied over 200 games for the club playing through the middle and up front.

Boasts impressive speed and skills and consistently gives opponents headaches with his ability to lose taggers and hit teammates lace-out, or kick goals.


He has nearly 200 goals for, a gigantic effort for someone who plays as a part-time forward and has also won multiple premierships as well as a club best and fairest.

24. DAMIAN SMITH
(Myponga, Willunga)

A top player for both Willunga and Myponga, Smith has been one of the GSFL’s standouts this century.

One of Willunga’s best around the ground during the club’s emergence in the early 2000s, Smith eventually made his mark with Myponga as a tough ball-winner who could explode in possession and do damage in front of goal or with disposal.

Claimed the Mail Medal for Myponga in 2005 and finished runner-up by two votes in 2001.

23. ADAM CARNEVALE
(Willunga)

A star player throughout Willunga’s period of dominance in the 2000s.

Hard at it player who worked restlessly in the contest to win the ball and find teammates efficiently while under pressure.

Claimed the 2001 Mail Medal and was a key part of the Demons’ run of six consecutive flags from 2004-2009.

22. MARC ELLIOTT
(Strathalbyn)

One of Strathalbyn’s most consistent players of the 21st Century for Strathalbyn.

A talented utility who can do damage through the midfield or as a forward, Elliott has reliable aerial and ground level skills and is one of his side’s most efficient players.

Has been a best and fairest winner with the Roosters and booted 74 goals during the club’s 2014 premiership season.

21. MICHAEL ROSS
(Victor Harbor)

A Mail Medallist and consistent contributor for Victor Harbor through recent seasons.

Ross, a former South Adelaide man, can contribute in a number of ways, often impacting the game through the midfield and also damaging the scoreboard with his reliable leg.

Won the Mail Medal in 2018 and has been named club best and fairest.

20. CALLUM TONKIN
(Encounter Bay)

Tonkin has arguably been the best ruck in the competition for the past eight seasons.

One of the most athletic big men in the league, Tonkin’s ability to give his mids first use, take big marks and dispose efficiently makes him one of Encounter Bay’s top players.

Tonkin is yet to taste premiership success but has claimed five club best and fairests and has been the first ruck for SA Country multiple times.

19. CAM HUTCHENS
(Willunga)

A dominant and powerful onballer for the Demons, Hutchens remains among the top GSFL players of this century.

A hard at it player who wins important possessions for his side, damages opposition with his disposal and can also create multiple goals a game, Hutchens has been among the competition’s top players for years.

Was a key cog in the club’s 2021 premiership and has also represented South Adelaide and the Crows.

18. TOM PINYON
(Mount Compass)

A former SANFL player for Norwood and Adelaide, Pinyon has been one of the competition’s best forwards in recent years.

An athletic and skilled forward who takes strong marks, kicks goals from anywhere and distributes as well as anyone, Pinyon has led the league in goalkicking a number of times and booted a total of 129 majors in 2019.

Was also a key performer in his side’s 2016 and 2017 premierships.

17. TODD STEELE
(Willunga)

A consistent standout in the GSFL, Steele will go down as one of Willunga’s most legendary figures.

Steele was a strong player around the ground who also performed in the ruck, winning the contested footy and taking big marks before either releasing teammates or bagging goals.

a big game player, he captained Willunga to seven premierships including six consecutive from 2004-2009, won a number of club best and fairests and five ‘Best in Finals’.

16. ZIGGY VITKUNAS
(Mount Compass)

A long time star for Mount Compass, Vitkunas remains one of his club’s best players this century.

Starring as a versatile midfield/forward utility, Vitkunas can control a clash his ability to win and use the ball as well as to boot goals from anywhere in and around the forward 50.

Played a key part in his club’s 2016 and 2017 premierships, has finished runner-up in the Mail Medal multiple times and has a number of club best and fairests.

15. BEN BAXTER
(Willunga)

A star player in the 90s and 2000s for Willunga.

Baxter could produce top performances in the middle and around the ground, often doing the dirty work for the Demons while also boasting top hand and foot skills.

Won seven premierships with Willunga and finished runner-up in the Mail Medal multiple times in the 2000s after winning in 1999.

14. SIMON MUNN
(Strathalbyn)

A versatile weapon for the Roosters, Munn forged a strong resume with the club after arriving from West Adelaide.

A workhorse around the ground who won plenty of the footy, damaged opposition with elite disposal and could also hit the scoreboard as a dangerous player up front.

Booted 160 goals in over 120 games for Strathalbyn, won the 2011 Mail Medal and captained the Roosters to a premiership in 2014.

13. TYSON DAVIS-NEALE
(Encounter Bay)

One of the biggest names in Encounter Bay history, Davis-Neale has booted over 500 goals for the club through more than 200 games.

Part of the club’s team of the century, Neale is the Eagles’ longest serving captain and has won flags in 2013 and 2015.

A talented and powerful player who can control a game in the contest or up front, he also has multiple A Grade best and fairest and leading goalkicker awards.

12. PETER HOBAN
(Mount Compass)

A Mail Medallist and two-time runner-up, Hoban remains one of Mount Compass’ best players this century.

One of the best rucks in the competition throughout a long period this century, Hoban’s clever tapwork, strong marking and efficient disposal made him a damaging player.

Won the 2016 Mail Medal along with Willunga’s Sean Beath and was integral in the 2016 and 2017 Bulldogs flags.

11. JAMES SELLAR
(Langhorne Creek)

Sellar only played a couple seasons for Langhorne Creek but was instrumental in the club’s premierships in 2019 and 2020.

A dominant figure who could play anywhere on the ground, the former Crow was a strong and tall asset who took a number of big marks each week, won plenty of the footy and kicked big goals.

Was best on ground for the Hawks in their 2019 grand final triumph and playing-coached them to another win a year later.

10. JARROD KELLOCK
(Langhorne Creek)

Kellock has been one of Langhorne Creek’s most consistent standouts throughout the 21st Century,

A versatile and damaging star who can win plenty of his own footy, deal to teammates with precision, boot goals and apply strong tackles.

Is an eight-time club best and fairest, three time leading goalkicker and has won five premierships.

9. TONY MODRA
(Encounter Bay)

Undoubtedly the most skilled player to ever pull on a GSFL guernsey, Modra enjoyed three big seasons with Encounter Bay and would be ranked much higher on this list with more accolades.

Joining the club in 2004, the Crows legend dominated opposition with his unmatched leaping and goalkicking abilities.

He booted over 200 goals including 10 in a final but would ultimately never enjoy the ultimate success in the GSFL.

8. DAVID HAMS
(Willunga)

A goalkicking weapon for Willunga, Hams proved to be one of the most dominant GSFL forwards of the 21st Century.

A strong, athletic and powerful forward who proved to be more than a handful for defenders with his agile movement and elite marking ability, Hams booted 858 goals for the Demons.

He played in six premierships with the club this century and also booted a club record 132 goals in season 2008.

7. RIGBY BARNES
(Encounter Bay)

Often described as having the ‘x-factor’, Barnes was an electric and highly skilled star for Encounter Bay.

An athletic and explosive player who boasted some of the best skills in the GSFL, Barnes’ run and carry, ball use and goalkicking prowess made him one of the competition’s best.

Barnes spent four seasons at Encounter Bay, winning two Mail Medals in 2014 and 2015 to go along with two flags in 2013 and 2015.

6. MITCH PORTLOCK
(Willunga)

Arguably Willunga’s top performer throughout its period of dominance during the 2000s, Portlock has been a major GSFL name in the 21st Century.

A regular state country representative, Portlock was an unstoppable asset at his best, taking over games with his restless approach in the contest and standout hand and foot skills.

Won six premierships with the Demons and claimed the 2012 Mail Medal after finishing runner-up a number of times previously.

5. JESSE MCKINNON
(Victor Harbor)

One of the GSFL’s recent superstars, McKinnon sits comfortably among the competition’s best since 2000.

A big-bodied midfielder who also spent time with South Adelaide, McKinnon’s toughness, power and running ability made him a force for the Roos.

Won back-to-back Mail Medals in 2023 and 2024 and fell agonisingly short of a flag last season.

4. RANDALL FOLLETT
(Langhorne Creek)

Another dual Mail Medallist in the GSFL, Follett has been a major part of Langhorne Creek’s success in the 21st Century.

A long time captain of the club and a multiple time club Best and Fairest, Follett could dominate a game with his ability in the contest, reliable skills and footy IQ.

Won two Mail Medals in 2006 and 2008 and also captained the Hawks to back-to-back premierships in 2001 and 2002.

3. NATHAN DUFFIELD
(Strathalbyn)

Recently admitted into the Great Southern Football League Hall of Fame, Duffield’s resume speaks for itself.

A versatile weapon around the ground who could win his own footy and damage opposition with his disposal or goalkicking ability.

Duffield has racked up over 500 senior games for the Roosters at A Grade and reserves level, has won three A Grade flags, one as best on ground in 2010, and also claimed the 2003 Mail Medal.

2. BEN KENNEDY
(Myponga/Sellicks)

A superstar midfield/forward utility who joined the Mudlarks after time with Melbourne and Collingwood in the AFL, Kennedy is undoubtedly one of the top players in GSFL history.

A strong and explosive player who has no issue winning high numbers of contested possessions each week, finding opponents with accuracy, taking athletic marks and kicking important goals.

Never won a Mail Medal during his GSFL tenure to the surprise of some but took out coaches MVP awards and was best on ground for the Mudlarks’ drought breaking premiership in 2024.

1. BRETT ELLIS
(McLaren)

A triple Mail Medallist in the GSFL, Ellis has recently etched his name among the legends of the competition.

Ellis has been dominant throughout a number of years, often controlling games with his ability to find the football in the contest, deal to teammates with efficiency under pressure and also create goalkicking opportunities.

Won three consecutive Mail Medals from 2020-2022 and led the Eagles to two consecutive flags in 2022 and 2023, with 2022 being an undefeated season in the minor round and finals.

[field of dreams]

Can’t really argue with the guys selected in there, maybe just the positioning. But that isn’t at all easy.
Kennedy at 2 with his 65 games is the one that sticks out to me.
He is a fantastic player and he really stands out, but with the criteria as written there are many listed who should be in front of him.
BoG in the GF was quite laughable - 1 kick and 3 handballs in 2 quarters of football.

[jackpot jim]

Can’t really argue with the guys selected in there, maybe just the positioning. But that isn’t at all easy.
Kennedy at 2 with his 65 games is the one that sticks out to me.
He is a fantastic player and he really stands out, but with the criteria as written there are many listed who should be in front of him.
BoG in the GF was quite laughable - 1 kick and 3 handballs in 2 quarters of football.

Everyone will have a different opinion on the order so that just needs to be accepted. Agree about Kennedy tho.
Being Creek Biased, Follett and Kellock are no brainers obviously. As for Sellar , yes was a real asset for the Creeks for a few seasons and not a bad choice at all tho i reckon most Creek supporters would have McGregor and Derham ahead of Sellar for their contributions to the Hawks success over a long period of time. And i'm sure all other Clubs would name a few that are worthy that arn't in this list of 25 as well.
Makes for great discussion anyway.

[inthestands]

Order is very subjective. Kennedy should not be 2 given he’s certainly in the ‘best’ conversation but greatest is so much more than being the best. Davis Vitkunas and Hutchens for me are three I disagree with. I would have had Tom Derham, Tom Carroll and one of Ben Simounds or Brad Haskett ahead of those 3. I’m glad they have a go at these articles. Maybe Fleurieu Sun could do one aswell?

Any update on McLaren points saga? I heard the two new boys are training…. Bays have recruited well and I see Jayden Scott has returned to Pongy.

Anyone got info on preseason games?