The 2026 Adelaide Footy League season is over and a familiar face has moved back up to top spot in our rankings of the top 50 players of the year.
Here is our order from 50 to 1.
50. LIAM MODYSTACH
(Port District)
An emerging young star for Port District at the back.
Modystach’s ability to stand on the division’s best key targets and compete well in the air and at ground level makes him a top defender.
49. JESSE MCKINNON
(St Peter’s OC)
McKinnon continues to perform for SPOC.
The former GSFL Mail Medallist is a constant threat in the contest as a big-bodied midfielder and wins plenty of hard ball for his side.
48. JETT BOXER
(Rostrevor OC)
An exceptional player in the air who takes big grabs, Boxer can also produce impressive defensive efforts inside the forward 50 while also possessing the ability to play at the back or through the midfield.
47. CHRIS LODOVICI
(Athelstone)
Coming off another stellar 2025 season with Athelstone, Lodovici impressed in 2026.
A versatile player who can fill a number of roles for the Raggies, Lodovici can dominate in the contest and is reliable in possession.
46. TYRELL HOCKING
(Salisbury North)
A crafty player up front and in the middle for the Hawks.
Hocking finds plenty of the footy and is one of his side’s cleanest below his knees and craftiest distributors and finishers.
45. JACK MATCHETT
(Glenunga)
Matchett earns a spot inside the top 50 after a dominant finals series as the Rams made it all the way to the big dance.
A tough and courageous player at the back with a damaging right boot who can also have an impact up the ground.
44. CLAYTON SYMONDS
(Sacred Heart OC)
A tall and highly skilled player who fills a number of needs for his side.
SHOC leader Symonds reads the game as well as anyone, cuts off attacks at the back and can dominate across half forward as a strong marker and skilled distributor.
43. JOEY BROWN
(Salisbury North)
Brown has been strong for the Hawks.
One of his side’s most composed players on the ball, Brown finds teammates efficiently and makes good decisions.
42. CHARLIE HILDYARD
(Sacred Heart OC)
An emerging star for SHOC.
Provides speed and a cool head around the contest and often unlocks sides with his disposal.
41. DECLAN FAHEY
(Glenunga)
A star utility who can play a number of roles for the Rams and excels in the contest.
Fahey is a strong player who wins contested footy, is reliable overhead and accurate by hand or foot.
40. BRODIE LATHAM
(Tea Tree Gully)
Can dominate as an elite small forward who creates goals for himself and others, but has also been playing more up the ground this year and helping the Gullies with his reliable skills and distribution.
39. BEN GOOLD
(Port District)
Goold’s performances on the wing and through the middle were important for Port again this year.
A powerful and skilled athlete for his side, Goold provides important run and carry and as one of his side’s most damaging players with the footy.
38. NICK WUNDKE
(Glenunga)
Wundke excelled as a reliable key forward for Glenunga this year and pushed through injury setbacks to be available for the grand final.
A versatile and highly skilled player who reads the game well and almost always executes.
37. ZYTON SANTILLO
(Athelstone)
Santillo has injected electric pace into the Raggies side since joining from North Adelaide.
Hits the contest hard, wins the footy and finds space with his speed before distributing efficiently.
36. JAKE WAGNER
(Salisbury North)
A talented player around the ground for the Hawks.
Wagner finds plenty of the footy in the contest and is one of his team’s best by foot.
35. LIAM VERITY
(Golden Grove)
A versatile half forward who moves around the ground well and does damage with his aerial ability and disposal.
Verity was one of Golden Grove’s most consistent contributors this years and looked dangerous during finals.
34. BEAU MCRAE
(Sacred Heart OC)
A consistent star for SHOC, McRae has been one of the division’s best.
A bull in the contest who makes gritty plays for his side and is a great user.
33. LUKE RANDER
(Athelstone)
Athelstone leader Rander has been a standout across the forwardline and around the ground.
Has a big presence in the air, is a great distributor by hand and foot and can kick bags of goals.
32. STEVE SUMMERTON
(Port District)
Arriving at Port District this year, former Port Adelaide Magpies captain Steve Summerton has been a boost for the club.
Can play around the ground in a number of roles with his quick decision-making and impressive skills.
31. BLAKE PENNEY
(Tea Tree Gully)
A longtime star in the ruck for Gullies, Penney has been important yet again.
Can tear apart a game with his ability to win hitouts and create for his teammates, while also bringing a strong presence with his overhead ability.
30. KANE HORSKINS
(Golden Grove)
A dangerous and explosive player through the midfield for the Kookaburras.
Horskins produced a big season and was often a standout with his run and carry and execution.
29. DOM COSTANZO
(Salisbury North)
A standout defender for the Hawks, Costanzo was a big part of his side’s D1 flag.
Competes well in the air and at ground level and makes good decisions under pressure.
28. EDWARD ALLAN
(St Peter’s OC)
A star leader for SPOC who can dominate through the middle and around the ground.
Reads the play as well as anyone in his side and is a reliable user.
27. LOUIE MCLENNAN
(Salisbury North)
McLennan was the difference-maker in this year’s grand final with his best on ground performance at the back.
A star recruit for the club, McLennan is a strong and athletic player who can dominate in the air, clamp down on forwards and distribute well.
26. SCOTT LYCETT
(Port District)
Lycett remains at 25 but would rank higher if he tallied more than his 10 total appearances this year.
A strong and highly skilled star who can dictate a game with his tap work and aerial ability while also moving up front to create important contests and kick big goals.
Was one of the best performers in finals.
25. JAMIE JONES
(Salisbury North)
A defender/midfielder utility for Salisbury North, Jones has been a standout since arriving at the club.
Reads the game well, makes big plays in the air and at ground level and finds teammates efficiently.
24. KANE NURTON
(Athelstone)
A star midfielder who has been an important part of the fabric of Matt Knights’ Raggies side.
Finds plenty of the footy and is one of the division’s craftiest players.
23. ETHAN SMITH
(Glenunga)
A talented and speedy forward/midfield utility, Smith had a big impact for the Rams.
Finds space brilliantly in the contest, provides important burst and can finish well or create for teammates.
22. NOAH HYDE
(Tea Tree Gully)
Hyde racks up possessions for fun and is one of the best distributors in his side.
A hard worker around the ground who attacks the contest and wins the footy consistently.
21. BEAU BALDWIN
(Rostrevor OC)
Baldwin has emerged as a star for ROCS this year.
Tough player in the contest who wins important possessions for his side and creates for teammates with his use.
20. CAM SHENTON
(Golden Grove)
Former AFL and SANFL utility Shenton was a standout for the Kookaburras yet again this year.
A versatile weapon with the ability to play back or in the contest, Shenton wins plenty of the footy and is one of his side’s most reliable in disposal.
19. MALACHY CARRUTHERS
(St Peter’s OC)
Carruthers is a fast, potent inside and outside midfielder with top drawer skills and can also play a variety of positions all over the ground.
Had a strong year as SPOC survived the drop.
18. CHRIS OLSSON
(Tea Tree Gully)
Former Norwood player Chris Olsson has been a star in the contest for Tea Tree Gully.
An explosive player from congestion who breaks lines for his side and does damage with his distribution.
17. JAKE JOHANSEN
(Salisbury North)
One of the major bolters in this list, Johansen’s second half of the year was huge for the Hawks.
A versatile weapon who can do damage up front or through the contest, the Salisbury North star was huge as his side won its first div one premiership.
16. XAVIER TRANFA
(Rostrevor OC)
Tranfa has continued his starring tenure with Rostrevor OC since joining from Norwood.
A hardworking and skilful player who finds plenty of the footy, damages with his disposal and can also kick goals.
15. AIDAN THATCHER
(Golden Grove)
One of the best key backs in the competition, Thatcher has been as reliable as ever for the Kookaburras.
A tireless worker at the back who can stand on a number of forwards, Thatcher’s aerial and ground level contest work and ability to read the play makes him a standout for the Kookaburras.
14. FINN WAKELIN
(Rostrevor OC)
Recently picked up by Port Adelaide in the SANFL, Wakelin has been a major standout for ROCS.
Wakelin is a strong and athletic player who can play in the ruck or have big performances up front with his marking and goalkicking ability.
13. HENRY NELLIGAN
(St Peter’s OC)
One of the cleanest players in the competition in the contest, Nelligan does major damage around the ground with his ability to find the footy, distribute and create goals.
12. SAM GRAY
(Port District)
A versatile player who is able to fill a number of roles for his side, Gray is an excellent user of the footy and can do damage through the middle in the contest or have an impact up front.
11. ZAC SMITH
(Glenunga)
Full back in the team of the year, Smith’s finals performances helped Glenunga to another division one grand final appearance.
A strong, courageous and skilled player who reads the game well, takes big grabs and locks up dangerous forwards.
10. COOPER GAFFNEY
(Port District)
One of Port’s most consistent stars, Gaffney has been dominant again in 2026.
An excellent distributor off of halfback and can also apply his trade through the middle, fighting hard for possession as a key contributor for his side.
9. MICHAEL CAVALLARO
(Golden Grove)
While Cavallaro also had commitments with Port Adelaide’s SANFL side, he was a force when playing for Golden Grove.
A relentless player in the contest who wins plenty of the footy, finds teammates with accurate hand and foot disposal and also hits the scoreboard consistently.
8. LACHLAN PASCOE
(Golden Grove)
Pascoe capped off a fantastic season by booting his 100th goal in the division one preliminary final.
The former Norwood gun leads well, takes big marks and can finish from anywhere.
7. JAKE RUSSO
(Salisbury North)
Russo was at his best this year and was rewarded with 19 votes in the medal count.
A skilled big man with the ability to service his mids with strong tap-work and also take big marks and push forward.
6. ABE DAVIS
(Glenunga)
Dual Keith Sims OAM Medallist Abe Davis had another starring season as the Rams made their grand final run.
A strong and versatile star who can ruck, do damage on the ball or move up front to bag goals, Davis is supremely skilled and one of the competition’s most effective.
5. MITCH GRIGG
(Athelstone)
Dual Magarey Medallist and FA Bloch Medallist Mitch Grigg has been a superstar since leading Athelstone to division one.
A bull in the contest who wins plenty of the footy, covers ground as well as anyone and either damages with his distribution or goalkicking ability.
Has joined Willaston for season 2027.
4. JOEY HAINES
(Port District)
Also on Adelaide’s SANFL list this year, Haines has been a force when available for Port District.
A supremely talented flanker who can also do damage around the ground with his marking ability, run and carry and damaging disposal.
3. JORDAN WEST
(Glenunga)
Part of an epic three-way tie for this year’s division one medal, Glenunga ruck Jordan West was a force.
Can dictate a game with his tapwork and ability to take big contested marks.
West was a key part of Glenunga’s run to another div one grand final.
2. JORDAN O’BRIEN
(Salisbury North)
Salisbury North’s star captain had another outstanding season through the middle, winning his first division one medal.
O’Brien is a relentless player in the contest who racks up disposals around the ground and can hit the scoreboard consistently.
Was key to the Hawks’ premiership run this year.
1. JAKE PITMAN
(Golden Grove)
The star onballer was dominant for Golden Grove again this year, claiming his second consecutive Keith Sims OAM Medal.
Pitman is a highly skilled player who puts his body on the line to win plenty of the contested footy and finds teammates with crafty disposal.
Helped the Kookaburras to within a kick of this year’s grand final.