2023 TopSport SANFL Top 50 – 6-10

Keegan Brooksby’s commitment to the South Adelaide cause cannot be questioned.

Living and working during the week in Melbourne with AFL club Hawthorn, the Panthers’ ruckman flew into Adelaide each weekend for South’s matches en route to winning the 2023 Knuckey Cup.

Leading the competition for total hitouts, the 33-year-old placed third in the Shearman Medal while also having the honour of being named vice-captain of The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year.

Max Proud etched his name into Glenelg folklore when he became just the fifth premiership captain, guiding the Bays to their sixth Hostplus SANFL League flag.

Fittingly, also named captain of The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year, the 31-year-old averaged a League high 8.3 marks on his way to finishing eighth in the Tigers’ best-and-fairest.

Corey Lyons was on track to win the Jack Oatey Medal at half-time of the 2023 Hostplus SANFL League Grand Final.

Having kicked a momentum-creating goal from the boundary line just before the main break, the prolific midfielder was ultimately pipped by teammate Lachie Hosie for the prestigious honour.

But the 25-year-old was rewarded with the John H. Ellers trophy as Glenelg’s best-and-fairest, placed top 10 in the Magarey Medal and also earned an inaugural berth in The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year in what was an outstanding individual campaign.

It’s a huge call but it felt like Nik Rokahr was the difference between Norwood earning the wooden spoon and jumping up to seventh place in the second half of the minor round.

The Redlegs’ star premiership midfielder seemingly lifted his team on to his back as he earned the Michael Taylor Medal as best-and-fairest and a place in The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year.

Runner-up in the Magarey Medal count for the second year in succession, the 28-year-old is set to continue his career in Perth with WAFL club Swan Districts in 2024.

It is a frightening thought for the opposition but Glenelg premiership coach Darren Reeves believes we haven’t seen the best of Matt Allen yet.

The Tigers’ game-breaking midfielder was a huge presence throughout 2023, earning a place on the wing of The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year and finishing runner-up in the club’s best-and-fairest.

The West End State team representative’s match-winning goal against Adelaide in Round 8, featured below, was a highlight as he also placed runner-up in the SANFL Now Player of the Year Award, inside the top 10 of the Shearman Medal and fifth in the Magarey Medal.