On the back of our widely successful Top 40 players in the SFL last season, SEN and Inside Football’s Brett Anderson is back again to fuel discussion on the best of the best in the Southern league.
With some input from a few fellow track watchers and trusted SFL brains, here is the second of a four part series released each day leading into Round 1.
Remember, the list is purely subjective and based upon personal opinion… feel free to buy him a beer if you want to be bumped up the list for next year!
Join in the conversation & provide feedback on the list so far on Twitter via @BrettAndersonIF and/or @SouthernFL and don’t forget to include the hashtag #SFLTop40
Today we continue Brett’s Top 40 with players ranked 21 to 30…
30. Paul Kenelley (St Kilda City)
Former Werribee VFL flanker who has been a bit of a journeyman over the past few years having spent time at Beaufort, North Old Boys, St Patricks, Shepparton Bears and Congupna. At VFL level he was a pacy flanker who caught the eye on more than one occasion, but at local level can hold down a key position, whether that be in attack or defence.
29. Peter Larsen (East Brighton)
He may be closer to the end of his storied career than the start, but that hasn’t stopped the veteran ball winner from remaining one of the Vampires' most influential players. Blessed with more footy smarts than most and a proven big game player, Larsen will be looking to add another flag to the one he helped the Vampires to in 2012. An SFL Interleague representative in 2014.
28. Jackson Peet (Dingley)
Dingley’s best and fairest winner in 2013 quietly went about his business in the Dingo midfield in just his second full season of senior football. A good ball winner around the stoppages and boasting more than enough toe to break away into open space, Peet, along with Marcus Freeman, Josh Boyle and Lee Wonnacott will be hoping to take the Dingoes one step further this season. Peet was also an Interleague representative in 2014 and acquitted himself well.
27. Phil Matheson (Chelsea Heights)
With so many big names around him over the past few seasons, its been easy to overlook the contribution the undersized leading forward has made to the Demons set up. He was rewarded for his fine work by claiming the club best and fairest in 2013 and was an Interleague representative last month. Looking fitter than he has ever been before, look for Matheson to form a good partnership in attack with Nathan Davidson, Lachie Dobson and Erish Uthayakumar.
26. Ben Douthie (East Brighton)
The 2012 premiership skipper is one of the few players in the competition that can split open an opposition defence with one swing of his raking left leg. Whether it be at half back, half forward or in a negating role in midfield, Douthie has quickly developed into one of the most valuable all-round players in the league and a wonderful leader. Originally from Wangaratta, but spent some time in the Queensland state league with Coolangatta and was an Interleague representative in 2014.
25. Scott Lawry (Bentleigh)
One of the most decorated players in the recent history of the Bentleigh Football Club, Lawry is a duel league best and fairest winner, club best and fairest winner (he’s also been runner up five times) and duel premiership captain. His ability to burst out of a stoppage and stream towards goal has been a vital ingredient for the Demons rise up into the top division. In a blow for both player and club, a knee injury will see him miss the start of the season but expect him to make an impact from the moment he steps back on to the park.
24. Jarrad Martin (Cheltenham)
Martin returns to Jack Barker Oval in 2014 along with fellow Rosellas Tom Donnell and Matt Andrews after a year in the bush with Tongala. Having won the club best and fairest in 2011, he announced himself as one of the most damaging midfielders in the competition due to his ability to burst out of a stoppage and his love for pushing forward to kick a vital goal. His return, along with that of Donnell and Andrews are a huge boost for Chelt’s bid to return to September action after a year on the outer.
23. Daniel Reid (East Brighton)
Tough, relentless and hard working are the best ways to describe the 2012 premiership forward. Vampire insiders chuckle each week when opposing players decide to try their luck by roughing up the hard working forward – a quick warning, he can go! Reid’s consistency is best highlighted by the fact that he figured in East’s best players in 11 of his 19 matches in 2014 and he was one of the few four-quarter performers in the Interleague match last month.
22. Adam McIntyre (St Pauls)
Now a veteran at the kennel after crossing from former co-tenant Old Haileybury, the older of the McIntyre brothers remains one of their most important ball winners in midfield and across half back. Whilst not possessing the burst that he once had, his ability to read the play and put himself in the right position to receive the ball, or assist a teammate are valuable traits to possess.
21. Jarryd Allan (St Pauls)
The first time I saw the hard running midfielder, he booted five goals off a wing at Jack Barker Oval early in 2011. The immediate thought was, ‘geez this bloke can play,’ and that he can! The former Sandringham Dragon has been an important figure in the Doggies midfield machine in recent years with his speed and kicking ability helping break open opposition structures. Allan was also one of the few players to elevate his standing against the Western Region in last month’s Interleague contest.
