Local SA footy’s top goalkickers of 2023 revealed

With multiple goalkickers set to come close to the 100-mark in season 2023, we’ve listed every local competition’s top goalkickers and assessed their chances at reaching the tonne.

Here is our list in order of most goals to least.

DANIEL WEETRA (Para Hills) – 38 goals

(Adelaide Footy League, division seven)

After a 42-goal season for Para Hills in 2022, Weetra has exploded to put his club in the driver’s seat for promotion back to division six.

The skilful forward has booted a whopping 38 goals in just five appearances so far this season, putting him on track for a massive 130 goals this season.

JAKE VON BERTOUCH (Kadina) – 31 goals

(Yorke Peninsula FL) 

The former SANFL Eagles star has picked up where he left off for Kadina last season, tallying 31 majors through seven appearances.

The big key forward is as skilled as any in local SA footy and has already put together fantastic performances, namely against Paskeville (eight goals), Wallaroo (eight goals) and Southern Eagles (six goals).

DARCY HOURIGAN (Nairne Bremer) – 29 goals

(Hills FL, division one)

Last year’s leading goalkicker, Nairne Bremer’s Hourigan looks set to eclipse his 2022 total of 65 goals this season.

The Rams star has been a force upfront so far this year, booting 29 goals – including a 10-goal display against Echunga – in six games.

BEN HANSEN (Jervois) – 26 goals

(River Murray FL) 

Hansen has predominantly been a backman for a lot of his career but has made a permanent move upfront this season and has dominated for Jervois.

A strong mark and efficient finisher, Hansen has led the RMFL’s strongest side to an undefeated start with 26 goals.

CALEB EDMEAD (Two Wells) – 25 goals

(Adelaide Plains FL)

Two Wells has been dominant through the first third of the APFL season and a lot of the club’s success has to do with Edmead’s presence in the forwardline.

The former Central District and Norwood player leads the league goalkicking by seven majors so far, with standout performances coming against Virginia (nine goals) and league leader Mallala (six goals).

MATTHEW CRETTENDEN (United Yeelanna) – 23 goals

(Great Flinders FL)

Crettenden has had one of the most remarkable starts to a local SA footy season this year, booting 23 goals in just two GFFL games for United Yeelanna so far.

After 52 goals in just 12 games last season, Crettenden could come close to the 100-goal mark in 2023 at current pace, but would need to play out the remainder of the season.

MATT MIN (Hope Valley) – 23 goals

(Adelaide Footy League, division three)

Playing-coach Matt Min has led Hope Valley to a perfect start in division three this season and currently leads the div with 23 goals.

A skilled forward who can finish on either side and set up teammates, Min plays alongside fellow gun local footy forward Daniel Nobes, who has 21 goals so far.

BEN HAREN (Lockleys) – 22 goals

(Adelaide Footy League, division four)

Haren was the only man in local SA footy to reach 100 goals before finals last season and started this season on fire, with 22 goals in four games.

The talented key has picked up a groin injury for Lockleys however, and may miss a number of games moving forward.

BEN LENNON (St Paul’s OS) – 21 goals

(Adelaide Footy League, division six)

Despite his side only winning one game through its first five in 2023, Lennon has managed to produce the goods for St Paul’s OS upfront.

The key target had six goals through his first four games but exploded over the weekend to boot a huge 15 majors against division six struggler Smithfield.

JACOB CARGER (Millicent) – 21 goals

(Western Border FL)

Millicent’s captain has been at his best so far this year, playing multiple roles as a forward or through the middle.

Carger has helped the Saints to an undefeated start, booting 21 goals and 18 through his first three games.

ROB KOVACIC (Eastern Park) – 21 goals

(Adelaide Footy League, division five)

Kovacic was a solid forward for Eastern Park last season but has taken his game to another level for the Demons so far in 2023.

With 21 goals in five games, Kovacic has been the standout forward in the division five competition, but will need to remain at his best if the Demons want to improve on their 1-4 start.

SAM DYER (Broughton-Mundoora) – 21 goals

(Northern Areas FA)

The NAFA leading goalkicker in 2022 with 62 goals, Dyer remains on track to come close to that total again in season 2023.

Leading former Westminster OS gun Aaron Fielke by one goal so far, Dyer’s 21 majors have been integral in his side’s top three start.

TOM PINYON (Mount Compass) – 21 goals

(Great Southern FL)

Mount Compass has been one of the surprises of the local SA footy season, currently sitting third after a strong first month of play.

Key forward Tom Pinyon has been a major factor behind the club’s improvement, booting 21 goals in six appearances and tallying six best player mentions.

Pinyon sits one goal clear of Strathalbyn star Ben Simounds.

ANTHONY ANDERSON (Kingscote) – 20 goals

(Kangaroo Island FL)

With 20 goals in just three games so far this season, Anderson may come close to the 100-goal-mark if he can lift his level of production just slightly.

Kingscote currently sits second and will need Anderson to continue his strong form if it wants to compete with Western Districts for a flag.

COHEN MATTNER (Port) – 20 goals

(Spencer Gulf FL)

Having only played three games for SMOSH West Lakes in the Adelaide Footy League last season, Mattner has been a star since joining Ports in the SGFL for season 2023.

Mattner has booted multiple goals in each of his six games so far, including a season-best six against West Augusta.

JARROD RYAN (Kongorong) – 20 goals

(Mid South Eastern FL)

Ryan kicked just 30 goals in his 12 appearances through season 2022, but already sits close to beating that tally after just five games this year.

The Kongorong gun has produced some big performances so far this season, headlined by a seven-goal game against Glencoe in round four.

SAM JACOBS (Flagstaff Hill) – 20 goals

(Southern Football League)

The former star Crow has been completely dominant for Flagstaff Hill so far this season, booting 20 goals in four games as a ruck/forward utility.

Jacobs did not play upfront in round one of the SFL season and also missed round five for the Falcons but has otherwise been the best player in the competition.

BEN GEYTENBEEK (RSMU Hawks) – 19 goals

(North Eastern FL)

Geytenbeek has been Riverton Saddleworth Marrabel United’s best player since joining from Happy Valley, kicking 19 goals through four games in the NEFL and being named one of the best on ground in all four appearances.

The star local footy forward looks to have a major shot at winning the goalkicking award if he can remain fit.

DYLAN SCHOENMAKERS (Border District) – 19 goals

(Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara FL)

Schoenmakers has starred in the KNTFL since arriving from Tea Tree Gully and has been the driving force upfront for Border District.

Leading James Hinge and Naracoorte superstar Rory Taggert by a goal after five games, Schoenmakers has just about been the best forward in the competition.

LIAM DAVIS (Payneham Norwood Union) – 19 goals

(Adelaide Footy League, division two)

One of PNU’s major recruits in the off-season, Davis’ successful return to the club from Houghton Districts has been one of the storylines of the early season for the Falcons.

Davis has tallied 19 majors in five games to lead the division two rankings, with big performances coming against Golden Grove (five goals) and Henley (seven goals).

CLAY CROMPTON (Roopena) – 15 goals

(Whyalla FL)

Roopena finds itself top of the WFL ladder after five rounds this season and much of that success can be put down to the side’s efficiency going forward.

Crompton has been a big part of that, spearheading the Roos’ attack with 15 goals and four best player nods in his five games.

DILLON HARDING (Sedan-Cambrai) – 15 goals

(Murray Valley FL)

Leading teammate and reigning Mail Medallist Cam Thompson by two goals so far this season, Harding has booted his 15 majors in just three games for Sedan-Cambrai.

The side will be major favourite for the flag this season if Thompson and Harding continue this level of production.

JAYDEN DAVIS (Prince Alfred OC) – 15 goals

(Adelaide Footy League, division one)

After representing the Glenelg U18s, reserves and Unley last year, Davis has had a breakout season in local footy for Prince Alfred Old Collegians.

The young gun has fit the Old Reds’ line-up seamlessly and leads brilliantly for his star midfielders.

A return of three goals a game sees him sit top of the division one leaderboard.

JOEL AISH (Kapunda), NICK LEHMAN (Willaston) – 14 goals

(Barossa Light & Gawler FA)

Both Aish and Lehman have been in strong form for their clubs during what has been a competitive start to the BLG season.

With Barossa District sitting third and Willaston sitting fourth after five games, the ability for both players to find space upfront and finish has been important for each club.

NATHAN ZUNIC (Renmark) – 14 goals

(Riverland FL)

Zunic has been back to his best after a season away for Riverland side Renmark and has improved as the early season has gone on.

The target forward had his best performance for the Rovers in the biggest game of the season so far last weekend, slotting home six goals in a win over Loxton North.

CODY COLBUNG (West Coast Hawks) – 13 goals

(Western Eyre FL)

Colbung leads the WEFL through four games this season after finishing fifth in the goalkicking last year.

The West Coast star looks set to surpass his 2022 total of 34, booting 13 goals in a month of play.

SAM HINDES (Kangarilla) – 12 goals

(Hills FL, division two)

Hindes has been a welcomed boost for Kangarilla after arriving from South Adelaide, booting 12 goals through four games so far to lead the Hills’ country division.

Hindes currently leads Meadows star Matt Spencely by three goals.

ANTON GERARDIS (Miners) – 11 goals

(Far North FL)

Gerardis has played just two games for Miners so far this season but leads the FNFL goalkicking by two majors after four rounds.

He booted six goals against East Roxby in round one and another five against the same side after his return last weekend.

JONTY SEAL (Wayback), SANJESH SINGH (Boston) – 9 goals

(Port Lincoln FL)

Both Seal and Singh have produced at a solid level for Wayback and Boston so far this season with nine goals each.

While Boston sits third with two wins under its belt, Wayback currently finds itself second bottom and will need Seal to keep producing upfront.

Lincoln South playing-coach Johann Wagner is hot on the heels of both forwards, kicking eight goals in just two games played so far.

JESS KENNY (Ranges), JOEL FITZGERALD (Kimba), NICK MARTENS (Cowell), TASMAN FITZGERALD, JESSE STRINGER (Central Eyre United) – 7 goals

(Eastern Eyre FL)

With last year’s leading goalkicker Cooper Llewelyn spending more time around the ground and iconic Eastern Eyre forward Sidney Masters on the sidelines, the league goalkicking award has been as wide open as ever.

Five players are currently tied on seven goals apiece, but look for star Ranges utility Jess Kenny to break away from the pack if he can continue to dominate the middle and upfront, challenged closely by Joel Fitzgerald.

Originally published as Every local SA footy leading goalkicker for 2023 so far revealed