21/09/2026
My team of the year of players I’ve seen play in 2026. Based off how they played when I watched and how their season went.
B Sam Walker - Tom Rogers - Lachlan Ryan
HB Troy Blackwell - Bailey Van De Heuvel - Blake Dodson
C Lachy Bates - Zac Richards - Monty Wynne
HF Tyler Roos - Josh Rentsch - Paddy Hughes
F Jack Fenner - Frazer Bradley - Lachie Constable
R Levi Dare - Harry Tunkin - Tom Williamson
Bench Tom Hutchesson - Will Macdonald - Jake McQueen
DEF
Sam Walker - South Gambier
Awarded best on ground in the LCFNL grand final. A great left footed ball user, returned to footy in the Mount after years in Adelaide.
Tom Rogers - Kingston
Full back is the hardest position to pick, Rogers who was picked there in the KNTFL team of the year. Might be more of a half back though.
A defensive leader in Kingstons premiership side.
Lachlan Ryan - Nhill
Intercepted well in the Wimmera league grand final, a great recruit from Birchip Watchem.
Troy Blackwell - Bordertown
Speedy half back, once again represented SA country. Showed courage with his efforts on ANZAC day against Mundulla.
Bailey Van De Heuvel - Lorne
Although Charlie McCartin is the star defender at Lorne, he didn’t play when I was watching.
VDH is a great intercepting key defender in his own right, part of the Dolphins premiership win.
Blake Dodson - Kaniva Leeor
A laser like kick, outshines other Horsham District league players with his disposal.
MIDS
Lachy Bates - Kaniva Leeor
Burns away opponents with his pace, a key addition to the Cougars side that won finals for the first time in the district league.
Zac Richards - Border Districts
Elite midfielder, sadly leaving country footy to go coach Adelaide University.
Monty Wynne - Laharum
Genuine wingman, covers a lot of ground. 2026 premiership player.
FWD
Tyler Roos - Kaniva Leeor
A midfielder that goes forward and kicks goals. A leading possession winner for the Cougars and still kicked 30 goals.
Josh Rentsch - Penshurst
The Bombers would consider themselves lucky to have Rentsch, he’s won three league medals in a row and is only 23.
One of the finest district league footballers in Victoria.
Paddy Hughes - Lorne
Classy mid/forward, sensational recruit from the Geelong VFL side. Joined his brother at Lorne and won the best on ground medal in the grand final.
Jack Fenner - Laharum
Lead Laharum to their premiership with 114 goals for the season. Dominant full forward that can set up goals for others.
Frazer Bradley - Hatherleigh
Too athletic for his opponents and a clean kick of the footy. Kicked 113 goals in another premiership winning season. Leading goalkicker in country SA.
Lachie Constable - Lismore Derrinallum
I’ve picked three full forwards but it’s hard not to. 113 goals in a premiership season, will be missed by the Demons with his move to Wagga next year.
RUCK
Levi Dare - Hamilton
87 hit outs in the game I watched, hard to find a more dominant ruckman. Lead Hamiltons votes in the league medal and will coach the club next year.
Harry Tunkin - Kingston
Premier midfielder of the KNTFL, won the league medal and was best on ground in Kingstons drought breaking grand final win.
Tom Williamson - Ararat
Influential in the midfield or in the forward line. Won the Wimmera league medal for the second time.
BENCH
Tom Hutchesson - Hatherleigh
Coached Hatherleigh to another flag, consistent midfielder that kicks goals and rarely has a bad game.
Will Macdonald - Dartmoor
Experienced ruckman that plays like a midfielder, convincingly won the South West league medal. His fifth league medal after four at Port MacDonnell.
Jake McQueen - Nhill
Brought a premiership back to Nhill after a sensational season. Kicked 47 goals for the year and was named best on in the grand final.
Named as co-coach at North Albury next year.
