2022 TopSport SANFL Top 50 – 16-20

The best Hostplus SANFL League performers in 2022 are being unveiled through the TopSport SANFL Top 50.

After selecting his Top 50 players pre-season, 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 2022 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 selections 41 to 50 and 31 to 40, here are 21 to 30.

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

On his day, Glenelg’s Lachie Hosie has the power to turn the outcome of a match on its head.

Capable of the mercurial, the unpredictable Bays forward was earned a berth in the forward pocket of The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year.

Kicking a total of 43 goals in the minor round, Hosie finished second in the race for the Ken Farmer Medal behind Eagle Daniel Menzel.

The 2018 premiership spearhead was a consistent presence for North Adelaide inside 50m in 2022, kicking 35 goals for the minor round.

Selected in the commanding position of centre half-forward of The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year, the former Crows rookie also polled ninth in the Barrie Robran Medal count.

To top off an exceptional campaign, the 26-year-old was a member of the victorious West End State team in Perth.

What else can we say about ”The King”?

Redlegs hero Panos finds himself at No.17 due to only playing nine games in 2022 but he certainly made each appearance count.

Enjoyed a fairytale return to League ranks in Round 8 when he kicked the winning goal, amongst four on the night, against Adelaide.

Continued to make his presence felt throughout the finals series with goal assists or much-needed majors, underlined by his history-making snap which earned Norwood a heart-stopping win in the Hostplus SANFL League Grand Final.

The highest ranked player not to be selected in The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year, McBean showed off his versatility, and leadership, throughout 2022.

The triple Ken Farmer Medal winner spent more time in the ruck this year than any other in his career at Brighton Road, performing admirably during the Bays’ two finals.

Still managed to boot 34 goals for the minor round while placing fifth in the Tigers’ best-and-fairest.

But perhaps his most defining moment was captaining the West End State team to its thrilling win against the WAFL in Perth.

Put simply, it is very difficult to understand why Jack Heard isn’t on an AFL list.

Norwood’s versatile defender can play on the talls and the smalls, raising his game to another level during the finals as he shadowed AFL-listed Elliott Himmelberg in both meetings against the Crows.

Making his debut in The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year at centre half-back, Heard placed fourth in the Michael Taylor Medal while also showing great courage in performing strongly during the Grand Final with a broken wrist.