2020 Post Season SANFL Top 50 – 21-30

Plenty of debate surrounds who are the best players in the Statewide Super League. 

After selecting his Top 50 players in the preseason, SANFL Media Producer Zac Milbank has now chosen his Top 50 at the conclusion of the 2020 premiership campaign.

Form across the 2020 season was used as the chief factor in the ranking process, with selection in The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year, placings in the Magarey Medal, Shearman Medal and Club best-and-fairest awards 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.

Stay tuned as the countdown continues on the SANFL website and social media channels, here are players 21 to 30.

Missed three games with a hamstring strain but his impact, when fit, was significant for the Redlegs through the midfield. Finished fifth in the Michael Taylor Medal count while averaging 23.5 disposals, 4.5 marks and 4.3 clearances per game. Continued to display his defensive side by averaging an impressive 6.6 tackles which placed him inside the competition’s top 10 in 2020.

Followed up his Norm Russell Medal in 2019 with a runner-up placing in 2020 after another consistent campaign for the Bulldogs. Averaged 22 disposals per game but also had an impact at the stoppages with an average of five clearances to go with an average of nearly seven tackles. This placed him fourth in the SANFL for total tackles laid with 86.

Finally enjoyed an injury-free run in 2020 and certainly made an impact in helping the Eagles win the 2020 premiership. Finished seventh in the Perce Johns Medal as Club Champion while averaging 22.5 disposals per game. Loves to run and carry the footy while disposing of it at a neat 85 per cent efficiency rate.

A genuine match-winner in every sense of the word this year, Hoskin was again a real difference-maker for the Bulldogs. Placing third in the Norm Russell Medal as best-and-fairest, the utility finished equal fifth in the race for the Ken Farmer Medal despite spending time through the midfield. Strong overhead for his size and a lovely set shot for goal, the former Power rookie showed his composure in the clip below, putting his side in front after the final siren in Round 14.

Has always threatened to be one of the most physically dominant midfielders in the competition, and this year, Ben Heaslip delivered. Placed fourth in the Knuckey Cup as South’s best-and-fairest, the tall (189cm) onballer gained the respect of SANFL coaches with a top-20 finish in the Shearman Medal.  Averaged in excess of 20 disposals while placing inside the competition’s top 10 for tackles and inside 50s.

Yet another fine individual season from Allmond resulted in him finishing inside SANFL’s top 10 for disposals, kicks and inside 50s. Averaged 23 touches a game en route to a third placing in the Barrie Robran Medal. The left-footer is regularly entrusted with the Roosters’ kick-ins.

Pipped by just one vote – by Isaac Johnson – for the Neil Kerley Medal as West’s best-and-fairest, Stevens was his tireless self through the midfield in 2020. Finished fifth in the competition for most disposals at an average of 25.4 per game while also being the Bloods’ highest-polling player (16th overall) in the Shearman Medal as voted by SANFL’s League coaches.

Rated in the Eagles’ best players for six of his 11 appearances, Tsitas was an inspired signing from the VFL once the minor round had begun. The 25-year-old is a genuine ball-magnet as evidenced by his 30-disposal, nine clearance performance in the Preliminary Final. Still managed to finish sixth in the Eagles’ best-and-fairest despite missing the opening five matches while averaging the equal fourth most Champion Data ranking points in the competition.

Such was Hunter’s impact in seven minor round matches, he was able to force his way into The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year. Averaged the most Champion Data ranking points in the competition (135) while making a massive impact inside the centre square and around the ground as the Panthers’ No.1 ruckman. Filled a gaping hole in South’s line-up which helped propel it into the club’s first Preliminary Final since 2014.

Selected on the wing in The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year, Colquhoun surprisingly called an end to his SANFL career due to work and travel commitments. Finished sixth in the P. T. Morton Medal despite missing the opening two matches with a hamstring strain while averaging 26.3 disposals at 87 per cent disposal efficiency. Goes out with an equal-fourth placing in the Magarey Medal.