With the grand final almost upon us, The Guardian football team has announced its 2023 Central Murray Football Netball League Football Team of the Year.
The only selection criteria was that players had to have played more than half of the home-and-away season (nine games or more) to make the cut.
Please bear in mind, this is only an opinion; and as much as we try, we cannot get to every game that’s played.
While this team of the year is not an officially recognised or awarded team, we have endeavored to produce a compilation of the best 22 players to have run onto the field across the 18 rounds of the season.
And remember, in order for you to bring someone into the team, you must first take somebody out!
2023 CENTRAL MURRAY TEAM OF THE YEAR
BACKS
Daniel Paterson (Cohuna) – Consistent defender who was a key cog in the Kangas back six this season. Rarely played a bad game and pushed into midfield on occasions, Perhaps his best season since joining the club.
Ben Booth (Woorinen) – In a season where high-quality key defenders were few and far between, Booth stood head and shoulders above his opposition. Was rarely beaten in a marking contest and shut out some of the Central Murray’s finest key forwards.
Henry Thompson (Woorinen) – After enjoying a breakout season, Thompson has quickly established himself as an important member of Woorinen’s back six. Can play a variety of roles, from lock down defender to creative half back.
HALF BACKS
Jaxon Neagle (Balranald) – Is one of the main reasons for the Roos climb up the ladder after joining big brother Jydon at Balranald this season. Neagle’s ability to intercept mark, and run off half back, will make him a key player in Saturday’s grand final.
Joel Walsh (NNW United) – Has returned to footy following a year away and had a massive impact in the Demons climb up the ladder. His ability to read the play and intercept mark is almost unrivalled, and was a big reason in winning his second seniors best and fairest for NNW United this season.
Sean Hunter (Kerang) – Last year’s Central Murray rookie of the year found his perfect role across halfback in 2023. Uses his speed and flair to great effect and promises to be a star of the future in navy blue.
CENTRES
Rylee Smith (Kerang) – Won the Blues best and fairest this year after a dominant season through the midfield. Has genuine speed and is a match winner for Kerang with his ability to break the lines. Loves to get forward and has kicked 30 goals for the season.
Matthew Wade (Swan Hill) – Champion Swan Hill onballer who has continued to raise the bar in 2023. Won The Guardian’s LJ Hooker player of the year award this season and almost dragged the Swans into the finals off his own boot.
Ethan Gant (Balranald) – Has been a revelation since joining Balranald this season from Central Districts. Has kicked 22 goals as a genuine midfielder and is almost unstoppable when spreading from the stoppage. Will enjoy the open space of the Swan Hill ground on grand final day.
HALF FORWARDS
Jydon Neagle (Balranald) – The most dynamic player in the competition, Neagle is almost unstoppable at his best. Kicked 35 goals and spent more time forward than in his Jack Betts Medal winning season last year. Won his second consecutive club best and fairest this season.
Josh Williams (Tooleybuc-Manangatang) – Extraordinary effort from Williams to kick 54 goals this season, in a team that won two games. Was consistently among the Saints better players and was a shining light in an otherwise dark season for Tooleybuc-Manangatang.
Drew Lloyd (Balranald) – After kicking 34 goals and being named among the Roos better players on nine occasions, Lloyd has earned his first appearance in the team of the year. His contested marking is as good as anyone’s and can be dangerous playing as a high half forward.
FORWARDS
Hassan Ahmat-Watkins (NNW United) – Has been a revelation in his first season in red and blue, having kicked 50 goals from full-forward. Is just as dangerous in the air as he is below his knees and is capable of doing the incredible.
Ben Fuller (Balranald) – Fuller once again proved himself to be the Central Murray’s most dominant key forward, winning the league’s leading goal kicker award with 61 goals. Rarely gets beaten in a one-on-one contest and will be chasing his first premiership at Balranald on Saturday.
William Collicoat (Woorinen) – Elusive forward who always seems to find space inside the Tiger’s forward 50. Kicked 43 goals, including hauls of six against Tyntynder, Swan Hill and the Mallee Eagles in his first season wearing yellow and black.
RUCKS
Lachlan Gardner (Woorinen) – Gardner gets the nod as starting ruckman in a hotly contested position. Returned to the ruck in 2023, which coincided with a return to his best form. Saved his best performances for games against the top teams, which helped him edge out Jacob Simpson, Jordan Wilkins and Toby Thoolen.
Josh Nitschke (Kerang) – Is a player of the future for the Blues, having finished runner-up in Kerang’s best and fairest this season. Has developed into a hard running midfielder with a massive engine that can punish teams either on the inside or outside.
Ryan Gillingham (Kerang) – Just gets the nod as starting midfielder over Helman in one of the toughest calls to make. Having been named among Kerang’s better players on 10 occasions this season, Gillingham’s consistency in a team that didn’t lose a home and away game was too hard to ignore.
INTERCHANGE
Joel Helman (Cohuna) – Incredibly unlucky to not be in the starting 18, considering he’s one of the competition’s best players. Will surely add another club best and fairest to his collection next weekend as well.
Jacob Simpson (Lake Boga) – Another player desperately unlucky to miss out on making the starting 18. One of the competition’s premier ruckmen who confirmed his status by winning back-to-back best and fairests for Lake Boga on Sunday.
Rhys Free (Cohuna) – Another consistent season from the Kangas key forward, finishing with 47 goals, the fourth most in the Central Murray in 2023. Kicked nine goals against the Saints in the second last game of the season, but it was his seven-goal performance against Lake Boga in round 3 that was the highlight.
Matthew Neagle (Balranald) – Another player unlucky to not be starting on the field. Has dominated out of the centre square for Balranald this season and will need to find plenty of the ball on Saturday if the Roos are to break their premiership drought.
COACHES
Corey Daniels and Nick O’Neill (NNW United) – While the Demons may have fallen short of the final match of the season, in terms of exceeding expectations, the Demons were the team. For a team that many predicted would fall short of the five, to make it through to a preliminary final while playing attacking, exciting football is a fantastic achievement.
