SANFL Top 10 in 2024 – Defenders

The best Hostplus SANFL League performers in 2024 are being unveiled through the SANFL Top 10 rankings.

SANFL Media Producer Zac Milbank will reveal his high performing midfielders, rucks, forwards and defenders now that the dust has settled on this year’s exciting campaign.

Form across the 2024 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.

Find out who were the most influential defenders in 2024.

Glenelg’s composed half-back fittingly earned this third SANFL League premiership medallion after playing an understated role in the Tigers’ back-to-back flags.

Placing seventh in the Bays’ best-and-fairest, Scharenberg averaged 18.6 disposals at a high disposal efficiency rate of 85 across his 22 appearances in 2024.

The 26-year-old also averaged more than five marks a game as he regularly cut off opposition scoring forays in Glenelg’s defence.

Admirably, Scharenberg has now played in six premierships for Glenelg – U16, U18, Reserves and three League flags.

Central District’s little-known backman certainly announced himself in 2024, earning a debut berth in the West End State team.

The 21-year-old certainly earned the respect of his teammates and coaches at Elizabeth as he finished runner-up to Aiden Grace in Central’s best-and-fairest count.

Measuring in at 196cm, Little can restrict the opposition’s best tall forwards while also being mobile enough to hunt the ball at ground level.

The Queenslander was a major factor behind the Bulldogs’ push to the Preliminary Final in 2024.

North Adelaide’s captain constructed plenty of his team’s play from the back half in 2024, en route to placing runner-up in the Barrie Robran Medal.

At the end of the minor round, Spina had more kicks (298) than any other player in the competition whilst also having the joint-most marks (124) with Eagle Connor Ballenden.

The dashing defender doesn’t mind switching play in defence for the betterment of his team, which he leads with great pride wearing the cherished No.10 guernsey.

At age 29, the former Crows rookie is showing no signs of slowing down in 2025.

Sturt’s resolute full back is proof that you don’t need to get a lot of the ball to have an impact on a match.

Luke Edmonds played in all 20 of the Double Blues’ matches, averaging just 7.5 disposals and 3.5 marks.

But the 26-year-old, who reached his 100-game milestone this season, regularly shut down the best SANFL forwards with his ability to get a timely fist on the ball.

Named in the back pocket of The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year, Edmonds placed seventh in Sturt’s best-and-fairest count.

This time last year, Max Proud had already decided to reverse his decision to retire after captaining Glenelg to the 2023 premiership.

No doubt the Tiger faithful are incredibly grateful after the 32-year-old featured in all but one of the Tigers’ matches in 2024 as he played another steady hand in defence.

Averaging 18 disposals at 86 per cent efficiency and six marks per game, Proud displayed his cool head when he read the play to take a vital mark in the dying minutes of the 2024 Grand Final.

Wearing the No.12 in 2024, Proud finished third in the Bays’ best-and-fairest while also acting as joint vice-captain for the West End State team against the VFL.

Jack Heard’s return to top form in 2024 was a major influence on Norwood’s push to claim the minor premiership.

Much like Jackson Callow at the other end, Heard’s renewed presence in defence was critical as he averaged 14 disposals per game at 90 per cent efficiency.

Placing seventh in the Michael Taylor Medal count for the Legs’ best-and-fairest, the 24-year-old was a key pillar in the West End State team’s win against the VFL.

Selected at centre half-back of the The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year, Heard will be looking to string together another strong campaign in 2025.

Teaming nicely with Jack Heard as the second major pillar in Norwood’s defence this year, Tom Donnelly was a consistent campaigner in 2024.

Placing third in the Redlegs’ Michael Taylor Medal count for best-and-fairest, Donnelly was named at full back of The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year.

The Tasmanian also earned his first West End State team berth in the victory against the WAFL in Perth.

Averaging just under 10 disposals at 89 per cent efficiency, together with five rebound 50s, Donnelly will again be a key performer in 2025.

There are few backmen in the competition who can defend tall and small opponents with equal effectiveness. 

But Sturt’s Will Coomblas fits the bill as he proved in 2024 while earning selection in the back pocket of The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year.

An emergency for the West End State team’s win against the VFL, Coomblas’ persistence was rewarded with a berth in the Croweaters’ triumph against the WAFL in May.

Averaging 12.5 disposals and more than five marks per game in 2024, Sturt’s No.22 placed third in the club’s best-and-fairest count.

Winning two Fos Williams Medals in as many months. 

It is a stunning achievement that former Central District defender Jez McLennan will no doubt look back fondly on once he retires.

The West End State team backman showed tremendous composure in both of the Croweaters’ wins while also earning selection at half-back of The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year.

Averaging 18 disposals and five marks in 2024, McLennan will be hoping to continue his form playing for Port Adelaide in the SANFL in 2025.

Dynamic dasher Casey Voss was again a devastating force for Sturt in 2024.

Selected at half-back of The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year, the 23-year-old averaged 21 disposals and six marks per game to provide invaluable rebound from defence.

Runner-up to Magarey Medal-winning teammate Will Snelling in the P.T Morton Medal count for best-and-fairest, Voss is not only a line-breaker with the ball but also a desperate defender when required.

The 2023 Fos Williams Medallist is also a fixture in the West End State team, featuring in both of the Croweaters’ victories this year.