Statewide Super League Top 50 – No.5

By ZAC MILBANK

Age shall not weary South Adelaide co-captain Joel Cross, who continues to forge his reputation as one of the best players in the Statewide Super League.

Now 33, the prolific midfielder is proving he’s equally damaging in attack as he has been in the centre square throughout his 174-game SANFL career.

Cross kicked 26 goals for the Panthers last year while spending more time in attack, adding to the impressive averages he posted of 23 disposals, 4.5 marks, 4.8 clearances and four tackles.

This ensured he would claim his fourth Knuckey Cup as South Adelaide’s best-and-fairest, having previously being crowned in 2011, 2015 and 2016.

South’s treasured No.19 was also selected in the 2019 The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year, on a half-forward flank.

Many outsiders to Noarlunga expected him to retire along with great mate Nick Liddle but the Panthers’ veteran is keen to keep alive his dream of breaking the club’s 56-year premiership drought.

As a result, Cross has been one of the most outspoken SANFL stars in his willingness to play without pay in 2020, suggesting he’s extremely hungry to finish his glittering career with the ultimate success.

Selected by SANFL Media Producer Zac Milbank, the 2020 Statewide Super League Top 50 is being unveiled one player at a time on the League’s website and social media channels.

For incumbent SANFL players, form across the 2019 season was used as a significant factor in the selection process, with selection in The Advertiser Team of the Year, West End State squad, club leadership group and placings in club best-and-fairest weighing heavily.

This is to ensure there is meaningful movement of player rankings between each year’s Top 50 list at the start and end of the season.

Recruits to the Statewide Super League for 2020 have also been included, with significant AFL experience, performance at State League level and their predicted impact proving critical in deciding the order of players.

5 – Joel Cross (South)
6 – Matthew Broadbent (South)
7 – Ryan Bastinac (Norwood)
8 – Billy Hartung (North)
9 – Liam McBean (Glenelg)
10 – Sam Baulderstone (Norwood)
11 – Jordan Foote (Eagles)
12 – Jarrod Schiller (Central)
13 – Lewis Johnston (Norwood)
14 – James Battersby (Sturt)
15 – Zane Kirkwood (Sturt)
16 – Max Proud (Glenelg)
17 – Andrew Moore (North)
18 – Luke Reynolds (Glenelg)
19 – Abe Davis (Sturt)
20 – Tyson Goldsack (Port)
21 – Jarred Allmond (North)
22 – Marlon Motlop (Glenelg)
23 – Kaine Stevens (West)
24 – Matthew Snook (Glenelg)
25 – Travis Schiller (Central)
26 – Billy Stretch (Glenelg)
27 – Joseph Haines (South)
28 – Brad McKenzie (Norwood)
29 – Matthew Rose (South)
30 – James Rowe (Eagles)
31 – Dom Barry (Norwood)
32 – Justin Hoskin (Central)
33 – Harrison Wigg (North)
34 – Matthew Allen (Glenelg)
35 – Troy Menzel (Central)
36 – Mitch Grigg (Norwood)
37 – Jack Hayes (Eagles)
38 – James Rose (South)
39 – Robbie Young (North)
40 – Andrew Bradley (Glenelg)
41 – Tom Schwarz (North)
42 – Matthew Panos (Norwood)
43 – Brad Agnew (Glenelg)
44 – Cole Gerloff (Norwood)
45 – Matthew Wright (Adelaide)
46 – Dean Gore (Sturt)
47 – Tom Keough (West)
48 – Jesse Lonergan (Eagles)
49 – Alex Spina (North)
50 – Logan Hill (West)