It might not be my idea originally – sorry Mike – but it’s still one of the best at generating discussion.
Unlike last year, where a player had to have previously played in the Central Murray, this year the only qualification needed to be eligible for my top fifty is that each player must be named somewhere within the likely best teams contained within these pages – that is, they are confirmed to be playing at a club within the league this season.
That means that some new recruits have been included in this years’ top 50. So please, before howling me down if somebody didn’t make it, or should have been higher, remember that most of us – me included – haven’t witnessed everyone run onto the field in anger yet.
This list is neither right nor wrong, it is simply my opinion – and if you think it’s easy, try it yourself!
Flemo’s Central Murray Top 50
1. Jydon Neagle (Balranald)
Was ranked number one last season, and only enhanced his reputation in 2023. Will be desperate to lead the Roos to a premiership, and will need to be at his very best to do so.
2. Josh Nitschke (Kerang)
Is the prototypical modern midfielder with elite running capabilities and sublime foot skills. Is already the best player in the Central Murray’s best team despite his young age.
3. Adam Baird (Kerang)
The first of the new faces to make this year’s top 50, Baird comes to the Blues with an impressive resume that includes a Michelson Medal as the Bendigo Football League’s best and fairest, along with multiple premiership and club best and fairests.
4. Joel Helman (Cohuna)
Has long been one of the Central Murray’s most dominant players, and can hurt teams either on the inside or outside, with his attack on the ball and burst from the contest.
5. Jack Geary (Cohuna)
Another of the fresh faces to the competition, Geary will take over the coaching reins at the Kangas this season. His combination with Helman in the middle and across half back will be a sight to see this season for the Cohuna faithful.
6. Jaxon Neagle (Balranald)
Quickly established himself as the most dominant intercept defender in the Central Murray last season and was one of the key factors in Balranald’s rise to a grand final berth.
7. Jimmy Toumpas (Swan Hill)
Former Melbourne and Port Adelaide midfielder who at 30 years of age is still in his prime. Will have a major impact on Swan Hill’s chances of playing finals.
8. Jayden Magro (Tyntynder)
Another new face that comes into the Central Murray with massive wraps. Has represented both the WAFL and NTFL in the past, and has been twice named in the NTFL’s team of the year.
9. Jye Barry (Woorinen)
Climbed three spots from number 12 in last year’s list after winning Woorinen’s best and fairest yet again and finishing equal seventh in last year’s Jack Betts Medal count.
10. Nick Lang (Kerang)
Will go into this season as the competition’s premier ruckman in my opinion, and provided he stays injury free, will show the Central Murray why he’s rated so highly by season’s end.
11. Josh Williams (Tooleybuc-Manangatang)
Was the Central Murray’s leading goalkicker all season until the round 18. Dominated up forward in a team that gave him very little opportunity to flourish and it will be good to see what he can do in a more competitive side in 2024.
12. Arnold Kirby (Woorinen)
Returns to Woorinen after a year in the Ballarat Football League with Sebastopol. Will make a massive difference to Woorinen’s line-up with Kirby back.
13. Joel Walsh (NNW United)
Won his second Pat Phelan Medal (NNW United best and fairest) last season and was a big reason in the Demons’ climb up the ladder with his attacking play off half back.
14. Matthew Neagle (Balranald)
Like his brother Jaxon, Matthew was a big reason in Balranald’s rise up the ladder last season. Dangerous midfielder who finds plenty of the ball and uses it well.
15. Darcy Hourigan (Mallee Eagles)
Another new recruit to the Central Murray, Hourigan arrives at the Eagles after leading Nairne Bremer in the Adelaide Hills FL to their first premiership last season, with the key forward kicking 115 goals for the season.
16. Sean Hunter (Kerang)
Kerang young gun who took his game to a new level last season. His run and carry off half back and hunger to take the game on makes him a player to watch.
17. Zac O’Meara (Mallee Eagles)
Won his first senior best and fairest last season and has found his place across half back for the Mallee Eagles. Looks set to explode in a more competitive Eagles outfit in 2024.
18. Brandyn Grenfell (NNW United)
Will be the key marking target the Demons have been crying out for up forward. Another player who comes into the Central Murray with massive wraps, having kicked 110 and 154 goals over the past two seasons for Marong.
19. Bradlee Pay (Kerang)
Kerang veteran who found a new lease on life with a move forward late last season. Dominated the preliminary final against NNW United, kicking four first quarter goals to send the Blues through to the decider.
20. Marcus Wattie (Tyntynder)
After spending last season with Shepparton United, Marcus Wattie will return to his home club this season. Is one of the most dynamic midfielders in the league at his best and will give the Bulldogs some much-needed pace out of the middle.
21. Brodie Tonkin (Lake Boga)
Like Wattie, Tonkin will return to his home club and have an immediate impact on his club’s midfield after playing high-level football, including stints in the VFL, TAC Cup and VAFA in recent seasons.
22. Lachlan Ross (Kerang)
One of the first picked in the dominant Kerang team, Ross is expected to play as more of a lockdown key defender this year.
23. Ben Fuller (Balranald)
Last year’s leading goalkicker in the Central Murray will be hoping for another big season between the sticks for the Roos, as they are a much more dangerous team when he is on fire than not.
24. Jordan Wilkins (Balranald)
The Balranald ruckman will return for another year in the blue and white stripes. Took his game to another level last season and is close to the best big man in the league at present.
25. Jose Miliado (Swan Hill)
After just one season back in the Central Murray and his first with Swan Hill, Miliado quickly reminded everyone just how dangerous he can be with the ball in his hand.
26. Sam Heavyside (Kerang)
Equally dangerous whether playing in the midfield or forward. Constant injuries have prevented us from seeing the best of Heavyside in previous years – but 2024 might be the year that changes.
27. Ben Booth (Woorinen)
Is the leader of Woorinen’s defence and has been since arriving at the Tigers three years ago. One of the purest defenders in the league and can put the clamps on any key forward.
28. William Lee (Cohuna)
Returns to the Kangas after seven seasons at Golden Square, where he established himself as one of the Bulldogs’ premier defenders after taking down some of the best forwards in the BFL.
29. Drew Lloyd (Balranald)
After just scraping into last year’s top 50, Lloyd shot up this year’s list off the back of a dominant 2023 display where he kicked 34 goals and was named among the Roos’ best players on nine occasions.
30. Jayden Post (Mallee Eagles)
Former Richmond forward who played 30 AFL games between 2009-2012. At 34 years of age, Post still has plenty of good football left in him and has the ability to impact a game at either end of the ground.
31. Josh Domaille (Woorinen)
Polled 13 votes and finished equal seventh in last year’s Jack Betts Medal count after another dominant season in the Woorinen midfield.
32. Jackson Williams (Cohuna)
Gun midfielder who is returning home after two seasons with the Port Melbourne colts, Williams is equally adept at winning the ball both on the inside and outside.
33. Harry Allen (Mallee Eagles)
Has almost single-handedly carried the Eagles midfield in recent times. When Allen plays well, so do the Eagles – and is one of the best stoppage players in the league.
34. Nathan Hamence (Koondrook-Barham)
A five-time premiership player with Irymple, as well as a multiple club best and fairest and McLeod Medallist as the best player in the Sunraysia FL, Hamence is sure to have an impact for the Raiders this season.
35. Will Doquille (Lake Boga)
An athletic and classy midfielder, Doquille comes to the Magpies having spent the past two seasons playing with North Melbourne’s VFL team and Old Xavier in the VAFA.
36. Michael Herlihy (Swan Hill)
Another new face to the Central Murray, the new coach of Swan Hill will be looking to make an impact through the midfield and up forward, having spent a year out of the game.
37. Connor Nutting (Tooleybuc-Manangatang)
Classy forward/midfielder who will be the perfect addition to the Saints line-up this season. Was drafted by the Gold Coast Suns and has also played for North Adelaide in the SANFL and Southport Sharks in the VFL.
38. Ryan Semmel (Cohuna)
Comes to the Kangas with an amazing pedigree, with over 300 senior games, almost 500 goals and four league best and fairests to his name.
39. Ryan Gillingham (Kerang)
Veteran Blue who rarely plays a bad game. Will have a late start to 2024 due to injury, but is still one of the best onballers in the Central Murray.
40. Kobe Lloyd (Balranald)
Returned to his home club last season after several years away and had an immediate impact in the midfield with his outside run and sublime skills.
41. Martin Kelly (Kerang)
Is closer to the end than the start, but can still dominate games like no other. His ability to win the contested ball is unrivalled and was a key player in Kerang’s grand final win last season.
42. Ethan Saville (NNW United)
Was one of the Central Murray’s most improved players last year, with his ability to win the contested ball and break from the stoppage one of the key factors in the Demons climb up the ladder.
43. Matthew Gillbee (Tyntynder)
Won Tyntynder’s best and fairest last season and rightly so after a dominant performance in the Doggies’ defence. Should only keep improving on his form in 2024.
44. Lachlan Gardner (Woorinen)
Looks set for a more permanent move forward with the return of Arnold Kirby, which won’t bother the Tigers big man who can play either position with ease.
45. Darcy McGregor (Mallee Eagles)
Played just 12 games last year after an injury interrupted season. His run and carry plus efficient ball use will be crucial to the Eagles’ chances of playing finals this season.
46. Elia Ware (Tyntynder)
Another player whose flexibility is a great strength, with Ware having an ability to play in any position on the ground.
47. Mitchell Christensen (Koondrook-Barham)
Won Koonrook-Barham’s best and fairest last year and was one of the shining lights in an otherwise disappointing season for the Raiders.
48. Henry Thompson (Woorinen)
Had a breakout season in 2023 and by all reports is on track for bigger and better things this season. Has moved into the Tigers’ leadership group and is a player of the future.
49. Elliott Chalmers (Tooleybuc-Manangatang)
Another of the Saints’ highly touted recruits, having spent plenty of time plying his trade with Glenelg and North Adelaide in the SANFL. Will add much-needed depth to Tooleybuc-Manangatang’s midfield.
50. Colin Andrews (Balranald)
Although just scraping into the top 50, it could be argued Andrews almost has the biggest impact for Balranald, as when he’s at his best, so too are the Roos.
