At the halfway point of the regular season, we’ve put together 20 of the top local footy performers from the Premier Division of AFL South Coast. Check out the local stars that made the cut.
After eight rounds, the Premier Division of AFL South Coast has reached the halfway stage of the regular season.
The usual competition heavyweights lead the way, with the Wollongong Bulldogs going eight from eight and the Figtree Kangaroos nipping at their heels with just the one loss.
We’ve talked to every coach at the halfway mark of the season and asked them to identify some of the top performers for their sides that have been consistently performing in 2023.
Check out our list of 20 top local footy stars.
Daniel O’Bryan (Wollongong Bulldogs)
Having moved up from division one last season, O’Bryan has transitioned from halfback to wing and really stamped his mark on that position.
Has been best on ground three times in the opening eight games.
Josh Thomas (Wollongong Bulldogs)
Another who has transitioned in role this year from a halfback flank to a midfielder.
Has started to really find his groove in the role lately and solidify himself as a genuine midfielder.
Eddie Keogh (Wollongong Bulldogs)
A Team of the Year forward in 2022 who has moved into the midfield in 2023.
A point of difference for the Bulldogs with his height and athleticism, he’s a genuine athletes with high expectations on the footy field.
Ryan Allen (Wollongong Bulldogs)
If you look at the game you might not see Ryan Allen, but if you look at Ryan Allen you’ll see the game.
Excellent speed with his hands and feet and a great footy IQ, he’s invaluable to the Bulldogs and truly in his own class in the South Coast AFL Premier Division.
Will De Jong (Wollongong Bulldogs)
Coach Millman says his midfielders don’t appreciate just how good the service is they’re getting when De Jong is distributing.
A ruckman with a great physical presence on the park who puts in some immense shifts when he’s firing.
Jacob May (Figtree Kangaroos)
Has slot right in to the Kangaroos in his first year at the club.
Playing in the midfield, his impact has been terrific for the Figtree side and he’s really grown into the side in the last 3-4 weeks.
Brandon Lagana (Figtree Kangaroos)
A midfielder who returned to the Kangaroos in 2023 with a bang.
An absolute workhorse in the middle of the field who compliments the side very well.
Nicholas Stacey (Figtree Kangaroos)
A reliable halfback who is an exceptional one-on-one defender.
Makes lots of runs off the backline and generates a lot of forward movement for the Kangaroos.
Joel Bottin-Noonan (Figtree Kangaroos)
A forward who works hard and runs all day forwards and backwards.
Pops up with a couple of goals most games, sitting at 11 for the season already.
Will Beaumont (Northern Districts Tigers)
A recruit from Ainslie, Beaumont is a midfield workhorse for the Tigers.
Brings quality on the park and invaluable leadership skills to his boys.
Jeremey Woodford (Northern Districts Tigers)
Local boy doing the business in the midfield for the Tigers.
Great at getting the first touch on the footy or going long with his distribution, something the Tigers have been missing.
Caleb Higgins (Northern Districts Tigers)
Brings a bit of x-factor to the Tigers.
Can be a good inside or outside player and is well capable of going forward and kicking some goals, sitting on nine for the season.
Jarrod Falconer (Shellharbour City Suns)
The Suns captain leading the league at the halfway point for best player, picking up the title in all eight games so far.
One of the best halfbacks and midfielders in the competition, his aggression and polish is elite, one of the main contributors to the Suns’ improved performances.
He’s also a great model for younger players around the club.
Brendan Cooper (Shellharbour City Suns)
Captain of the U17s side last year and has developed into a classy Premier Division player, also joint at the top of the league with eight best player awards.
“A high end, tough and under” midfielder who is said to be invaluable to the Suns in his first year in the side.
Luke Adams (Shellharbour City Suns)
A ruckman with a basketball background, only in his third season of footy.
After a decent year last year he’s developed into a real asset for the Suns in 2023, with his game understanding rising to a whole new level.
Zac Demamiel (Wollongong Lions)
A recruit from Griffith who is in his first year of senior footy and has “taken the ruck mantle by storm” according to coach Judd.
An impressive attitude on and off the field with lots of positivity, really “lighting the world on fire” this season.
Samuel Hobson (Wollongong Lions)
A young Lion having gone through the juniors, hitting his straps as a key part of the team.
A quiet achiever but he leads well, making the right decisions and building plays from halfback, carrying blokes forward along with him.
Lachlan Konza (Wollongong Lions)
First year of solo captaining the Lions, Konza has been “carrying the club on his shoulders” according to coach Judd.
A work ethic that is unmatched, both throughout the week and on game days.
Has developed his game as a pivotal run-off halfback and has been combining well with Samuel Hobson as a the creators for the Lions.
Josh Simpson (Kiama Power)
While his side have struggled so far this season, Simpson has put in seven best player performances for his side.
The Kiama veteran has played over 150 senior first grade games and is ageing like fine wine, with his fierce defence, strong marking and quick ball distribution.
Max Cook (Kiama Power)
A promising prospect for the Kiama side, Cook continues to grow into the league in 2023.
In the 2022 he was awarded the club’s ‘Rising Star Award’ and in 2023 he’s been best player five times in eight games.
Originally published as AFL South Coast: Top 20 local footy players in Men’s Premier Division of 2023 season so far