Statewide Super League Top 50 – No.7

By ZAC MILBANK

Norwood was dealt a major blow when it emerged earlier this week that star recruit Ryan Bastinac was unlikely to play in 2020.

The Redlegs announced on Tuesday that the former North Melbourne and Brisbane midfielder’s personal situation would almost certainly rule him out of lining up with the Redlegs this season.

But the door remains ajar for this season should Bastinac’s circumstances change, and with that flicker of hope, he retains his place near the top of the Statewide Super League Top 50 such is his quality at State League level.

In 2019, Bastinac averaged 31 disposals in 17 games with Brisbane’s Reserves side as he captained the Lions to a rare undefeated premiership in the NEAFL.

Measuring in at a deceptive 186cm and 82kg, the 28-year-old has also won the past two NEAFL best-and-fairest awards with the Lions.

Should he land at Woods Street in a late wildcard play for coach Jarrod Cotton, Bastinac’s experience will prove invaluable after spending the past 10 years on an AFL list with North Melbourne (121 AFL games) and Brisbane (43 AFL games).

Having signed a two-year deal – for 2020 and 2021 – to play with the Redlegs, Bastinac’s presence at The Parade at any point in this period could prove pivotal.

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.

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)