The Mid North of SA has been a regional haven for footy talent for many years and season 2026 has been no exception.
Based on this season’s form, we’ve ranked the top 35 players from the region’s two main competitions – the Northern Areas Football Association (NAFA) and the North Eastern Football League (NEFL).
Here are our rankings from 35 to 1.
35. JARED O’DONOHUE
(Broughton Mundoora)
A tough and relentless player in the contest.
Can dictate a game for his team with his attack on the footy and disposal.
Has nine best player nods in 10 games.
34. WILL HEWETT
(Broughton Mundoora)
A standout for the Eagles so far this year.
Hewett’s ability to take strong grabs, create and kick goals up front makes him one of the NAFA’s best.
Has 13 goals and seven best player mentions in 11 games.
33. TYSON HANLON
(RSMU)
Hanlon has brought toughness to the RSMU midfield.
Plays aggressively and courageously on the ball to win the footy and set up his teammates.
Seven best player nods in 10 games.
32. LUKE HAYES
(Orroroo)
The younger brother of Jack Hayes, Luke has starred for Orroroo.
The NAFA star has been a threat in the middle with smart disposal and is also able to impose himself in a number of other roles around the ground.
Eight best player nods in 11 games.
31. CAMERON LONGBOTTOM
(BSR Tigers)
Has been dominant for the Tigers alongside Matt Longbottom.
Can take over a game with his ability to win the footy and distribute quickly.
Has six best player nods in 10 games.
30. CODY WOOLFORD
(BMW)
A skilled player through the middle who can do everything for his side.
Wins plenty of the ball, applies strong tackle pressure and sets up teammates.
Four best player nods in seven games.
29. MATT GRIGG
(South Clare)
The best performer for the Demons this season, Grigg has had a standout 2026.
One of the NEFL’s toughest players, Grigg hits the contest hard to win the footy for his side and create opportunities ahead of the ball.
Six best player mentions and seven goals in nine games.
28. JACKSON LEE
(BSR Tigers)
A skilled and tireless onballer who can also play on the flanks, making tough contests and providing important run and carry and accurate ball-use for his team.
Has seven best player nods in eight games.
27. LACHLAN ROBINSON
(BMW)
Robinson has been one of his side’s most consistent players this season.
Hard at it in the contest and highly skilled, Robinson can unlock his side with his play.
Has 10 goals and five best player mentions in five games.
26. XAVIER REDDEN
(Orroroo)
Redden has excelled for the Roos so far this year.
A dominant midfielder who runs all day and hits the contest hard, Redden can damage opposition with his ability to win the footy and find teammates.
Has five best player nods in nine games.
25. ANDERS MCSHANE
(MinMan Eagles)
A versatile star for the Eagles.
McShane can take over a game around the ground with his ability to find and use the footy and can also hit the scoreboard for multiple goals a game.
Has 15 majors and nine best player nods in 10 games.
24. ALEX KANGUR
(BMW)
Former North Adelaide man Kangur has a consistent impact in the contest.
Great ability to read the play, is tough at it and distributes as well as anyone in his side.
Has nine best player nods in 11 games.
23. WILLIAM SANDOW
(MinMan Eagles)
Sandow remains a consistent star for the Eagles in the NEFL.
A strong presence in the contest who can take strong marks, win important possessions and create for teammates.
Has six best player mentions in 10 games.
22. ISAAC MOLLER
(Orroroo)
A dominant utility with good size who can take over a game around the ground.
Previously a star goalkicker, Moller has played in a number of other roles this season with his ability to take big marks, lay strong tackles and distribute.
Has 15 majors and seven best player nods in 10 games.
21. CHARLES RIGGS
(MinMan Eagles)
Riggs has had another strong season for the Eagles after a standout 2024 campaign.
The club captain is a versatile and athletic player who can have an impact as a key at either end of the ground and can also dominate through the middle with his ability to win contested footy and distribute to teammates.
Five best player nods in eight games.
20. DUSTIN LAUNER
(Southern Saints)
Launer is in the midst of a starring season for the Saints.
Launer’s effort and smarts in the contest as well as his ability to hit the scoreboard make him a major key for the Saints and will be integral in any grand final push the club makes.
Has five best player nods and seven goals in 10 games.
19. MAX WAGNER
(North Clare)
Joining North Clare from Payneham Norwood Union, Wagner has been big for the club.
A versatile player who can do damage around the ground with his run and delivery.
Has five best player nods in 10 games.
18. RYAN BRUCE
(RSMU)
A dominant gun for the Hawks this year.
Bruce racks up disposals in the contest with ease and is one of his side’s best distributors under pressure.
Has 10 best player nods and six goals in 10 games.
17. NICK MOSEY
(Jamestown Peterborough)
Former Mundulla gun Nick Mosey has starred for Jamestown Peterborough this season.
Versatile player who provides grit in the contest and a cool head under pressure.
Has 10 goals and four best player mentions in seven games.
16. COBY HELYAR
(Southern Saints)
Former Langhorne creek and South Adelaide player Coby Helyar is enjoying a strong season in the NEFL.
A versatile player who does damage in the contest with his distribution or up front with his ability to slot goals.
Has 12 goals and four best player nods in seven games.
15. KALLIS FREER
(Broughton Mundoora)
Freer remains a star onballer in the Mid North.
The BMFC star and former North Adelaide player is damaging in the contest and wins a number of clearances each week for the Eagles.
Six best player nods through 11 games.
14. HEATH GROWDEN
(Southern Saints)
A star who has SANFL experience with Port Adelaide, Growden has been dominant this season.
Can take over a game up front or play in the contest and sit behind the footy with his athleticism and marking ability having a big impact.
Has 22 goals and seven best player nods in nine games.
13. HUGH JACKSON
(Crystal Brook)
Former Port Adelaide youngster Jackson has been a strong contributor for the Roosters this season.
Speedy and athletic player who does damage in the contest and can also hit the scoreboard.
Five best player appearances and 15 goals in 11 games.
12. SHANE BALLANTYNE
(Southern Flinders)
Ballantyne has had another fantastic season for Southern Flinders so far, dominating in the NAFA.
A strong and athletic utility who plays a number of roles, Ballantyne uses the ball efficiently on either side of his body and has no issue winning important possessions or taking big grabs for his side.
Has 11 best player nods in 11 games.
11. ALEX MORGAN
(BSR Tigers)
Morgan has been at his best for the Tigers.
A strong, skilled and athletic player who works tirelessly in the contest and across the forwardline, Morgan can either damage opposition with his ability to win big clearances for his side or boot multiple majors.
Has 13 goals and six best player nods so far.
10. TOM WAGNER
(North Clare)
Former Norwood and Payneham Norwood Union player Tom Wagner has been a standout for North Clare in the NEFL.
A versatile player who can dominate in the air and win the footy at ground level before disposing efficiently, Wagner has done most of his work this year as a dangerous forward.
Has 34 goals and six best player nods in 10 games.
9. WILL COMBE
(Crystal Brook)
Combe has starred for the Roosters yet again this season.
A highly skilled and versatile player who can dominate through the midfield or hit the scoreboard efficiently, Combe is one of the hardest to stop in the Mid North.
Has 14 goals and eight best player nods in 11 games.
8. SAM MCINERNEY
(Jamestown Peterborough)
Former North Adelaide standout Sam McInerney has been a major contributor for the Magpies this year.
A star in the midfield who can play a number of other roles when needed with his ability to win the footy and distribute cleanly.
Has nine goals and six best player nods in 10 games.
7. PATRICK WILSON
(BMW)
Former Sturt gun Patrick Wilson has been a standout in the NAFA this season as a reliable forward utility.
Attacks the footy relentlessly, takes strong grabs, boots goals and creates for his teammates.
Has 36 majors and four best player nods in 11 games.
6. MATT LONGBOTTOM
(BSR Tigers)
A longtime star for the Tigers in the NEFL, Longbottom has had another big year so far.
A strong, athletic and courageous player who has a great footy IQ and can hit the scoreboard consistently for his side.
Has 16 goals and nine best player nods in 10 games.
5. BRAD NOBLE
(Orroroo)
Joining Orroroo after time with Sacred Heart OC in division one, Noble has been dominant for his new club.
A tough and versatile player who can dominate on the ball and around the ground with his ability to win the footy and distribute efficiently.
Has 10 best player nods in 13 games.
4. CALLUM TONKIN
(Jamestown Peterborough)
One of the top rucks in SA country footy, Tonkin has been a force since joining the Magpies from Encounter Bay.
A tall and athletic player who can create with his tap work and also impact as a marking threat and clean user.
Has 10 best player nods in 10 games.
3. NICK GREGURKE
(Jamestown Peterborough)
Gregurke has been dominant for Jamestown Peterborough in the Northern Areas FA after making a shock move from Nuriootpa.
A strong and smart onballer who wins plenty of the contested footy and cuts opposition up with his distribution.
Has 13 goals and eight best player mentions in nine games.
2. COLE GERLOFF
(Jamestown Peterborough)
Former Norwood and Glenelg gun Cole Gerloff has been dominant for Jamestown Peterborough this season.
A highly skilled and versatile player who reads the game as well as anyone, takes strong marks and disposes efficiently.
Has eight best player nods and nine goals in 10 games.
1. CAMPBELL COMBE
(Crystal Brook)
Former Magarey Medallist Campbell Combe has been a star in the NAFA again this year.
A courageous onballer who lays big tackles and wins plenty of the contested footy, Combe is arguably the best distributor in the Mid North and can take over games with his ability to create for his teammates.
Has 18 goals and 11 best player nods in 11 games.