Tom Lewis wins 2025 SANFL Now Player of the Year

By ZAC MILBANK

Sturt ball magnet Tom Lewis has cruised to a comfortable win in the 2025 SANFL Now Player of the Year Award.

One of the superstars of the Hostplus SANFL League this season, Lewis’ impressive tally of 27 votes proved more than enough to hold off Glenelg’s star recruit Jarryd Lyons on 19 votes.

Norwood’s Billy Cootee finished third on 17 votes, edging out early pacesetter, Eagle Kobe Mutch, by one vote.

Featuring in all 18 of Sturt’s minor round matches in 2025, the 25-year-old was a consistent force in the centre square while midfield teammates James Battersby, Mitch Crowden, Will Snelling and Jared Dakin spent time on the sidelines.

Averaging 25.8 disposals, 7.4 clearances and 8.4 tackles this year, the Double Blues’ No.2 polled four first preferences after attracting votes in 12 matches throughout 2025.

Lewis receives $500 courtesy of SANFL for the award, which is judged by SANFL Now commentators under a 3-2-1 voting system.

27 – Tom Lewis (Sturt)
19 – Jarryd Lyons (Glenelg)
17 – Billy Cootee (Norwood)
16 – Kobe Mutch (Eagles)
15 – Will Snelling (Sturt), James Rowe (Eagles)
13 – Angus Anderson (Sturt), Jack Watkins (Port)
12 – Angus Schumacher (North Adelaide), Lachie Hosie (Glenelg), Nik Rokahr (Norwood)
11 – Mani Liddy (Central/Port)
10 – Oliver Davis (South)
9 – Lachlan McAndrew (Adelaide), Elliot Dunkin (South), James Bell (Glenelg)
8 – Matt Allen (Glenelg), Jeremy Finlayson (Port)

2025 – Tom Lewis (Sturt)
2024 – Will Snelling (Sturt)
2023 – Harry Grant (Central District)
2022 – Nik Rokahr (Norwood)/Aaron Young (North Adelaide)
2021 – Matthew Snook (Glenelg)
2020 – Richard Douglas (Norwood)
2019 – Luke Partington (Glenelg)