2023 TopSport SANFL Top 50 – 16-20

The best Hostplus SANFL League performers in 2023 are being unveiled through the TopSport SANFL Top 50.

SANFL Media Producer Zac Milbank has chosen his Top 50 now that the dust has settled on this year’s exciting campaign.

Form across the 2023 season was used as the chief factor in the ranking process, with selection in The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year and West End State team weighing heavily, together with placings in the Magarey Medal, Shearman Medal, Club best-and-fairest awards and strong performances in finals matches.

High rankings in statistics such as total disposals, marks, contested marks, goals, clearances and tackles were also taken into account, along with Champion Data ranking points.

So here they are, after releasing the first 30 selections, we are now entering the top 20…..

Stay tuned as the remainder roll out across the SANFL website and social media channels in the coming days.

When Lachlan Gollant played well, so too did Adelaide.

The sharp-shooting forward certainly had his impact whenever the Crows were successful this season, booting a total of 42 goals to finish fourth in the Ken Farmer Medal race.

Dangerous on the lead and at ground level, Gollant was a member of The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year, placed sixth in the Crows’ best-and-fairest and was the only player to average more than two contested marks in the competition.

It was difficult to get a read on Jez McLennan during pre-season, as he prepared to make his return to the Hostplus SANFL League with Central District.

But the delisted Gold Coast Sun certainly didn’t disappoint as he earned a berth in the West End State team and The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year.

The 23-year-old also enjoyed taking an intercept mark, finishing ninth in the competition for total marks while placing fourth in the Norm Russell Medal.

Adelaide’s Kieran Strachan is well-and-truly mastering the art of being a modern-day ruckman.

There is very little The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year member cannot do, illustrating his massive average of 121 Champion Data ranking points this season.

Finishing fifth in the Crows’ best-and-fairest, his presence was certainly missed when injuring his wrist late in the minor round as his side faded toward the end of its campaign.

Could a player be picked at either end of The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year?

Had Sturt coach Marty Mattner shifted Connor McFadyen into attack earlier in the season, this could have been the dilemma for selectors after the former Brisbane Lion showed off his versatility inside 50m for the Double Blues throughout the finals series.

Chosen at centre half-back, McFadyen also placed fourth in the P. T Morton Medal and ranked sixth overall in the competition for total marks.

Imagine what Harry Schoenberg could have achieved had he played more than 10 Hostplus SANFL League games this season.

As it was, the prolific Adelaide midfielder – who averaged 117 Champion Data ranking points – finished seventh in the Magarey Medal and fourth in the Shearman Medal as voted by the SANFL coaches.

A member of The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year, he also finished equal runner-up in the Tiser’s Player of the Year award.