With the 2015 regular AFL season now complete, it’s a great time to review how some of WA’s Country products have gone this year in the National Competition.

Country Football Leagues continue to be a breeding ground for the competitions elite players and the following side is made up of players that began their football journeys in Country WA.

Josh Kennedy from Northampton has taken out his first Coleman Medal and Nat Fyfe is still a short favourite in the Brownlow after an unprecedented first half of the season.  Both players will be critical to their teams success in September (and October).

Four Country Origin players were nominated for the NAB rising star award and there are some future stars just on the horizon set to take the league by storm in the coming seasons.

Forward Pocket, Jeffrey Garlett (Burracoppin) - Close to his best season of AFL with 22 matches and 40 goals. At his best, Garlett can turn opposition defenders inside out and when he is on, he is one of the most exciting players in the competition.  Will enjoy roving to Jesse Hogan in the years to come.

Full Forward, Buddy Franklin (Dowerin)- 2015 won’t be remembered as one of the best seasons of Franklin’s career (netting 47 gaols from 17 matches) and back injury appears to have curtailed the second half of his season. Still the marquee player of the competition and may have something to offer in 2015.

Forward Pocket, Charlie Cameron (Saints Newman) Wow, one half of the most potent small forward combos in the comp.  Looks set to kick a lot of goals over a long career and will only get better with age.

Half Forward Flank, Mark Le Cras (Cervantes) Great to see The Frenchmen get a relatively clear run with injuries and suspensions in 2015 and he proved how dangerous he can be kicking 41 goals from 21 games.  Sets up a heap of goals for his teammates and close to the best set shot in the comp.

Centre Half Forward, Josh Kennedy (Northampton) What can you say…. 75 goals from 22 games. Controls the forward line and has improved each year since arriving at the Eagles indicating he may still have his best footy in front of him.  Wears the bushmen’s beard superbly.

Half Forward Flank, Jamie Cripps (Northampton) Break out year for the tenacious Cripps with 32 Goals from 22 games.  Just as important to the team defensively as offensively with close to the best defensive forward stats in the AFL.

Wing, Lewis Jetta (Bridgetown) Stood up to be one of the Swans best with frequent damaging runs in his 22 matches.  Will need a big finals series if Sydney is to progress.  Unbelievable kick of the Sherrin at speed.

Centre, Dom Sheed (Mines Rovers) High draft pick that didn’t quiet hit his straps in his debut season but certainly didn’t suffer from second year blues taking his game to another level with 20 solid performances.  Smart player that will control the centre square at Domain for years to come hitting up the likes of Kennedy, Le Cras and Darling.

Wing, Sharrod Wellingham (Northam) His best year in the west working hard across the wing and helping out on the back flank.  Good combination of inside and outside play and one of the toughest players at the club.

Half Back Flank, Marley Williams (North Albany) After a troubling 2014, Marley was able to concentrate on his football in 2015 and was a great asset across the Magpie’s halfback line.  Strong in one on one contests and providing plenty of rebound with a precision left foot.  Onwards and upwards.

Centre Half Back Jeremy McGovern, (North Albany) Sits alongside Harry Taylor as the best intercept markers in the competition.  Has elevated himself from the rookie list to a probable All Australian in a very short time and will be critical to the eagles September campaign.

Half Back Flank Kamdyn McIntosh, (Pinjarra) Notched up 22 matches and a Rising Star nomination in his first season.  A wiry type that can play tall or small, competes hard and doesn’t mind taking the opposition on.  Big future ahead at Punt Road.

Back Pocket, Neville Jetta (Carey Park) Jetta claimed some big scalps over the season, defeating the likes of Eddie Betts and Chad Wingard. He displays sure ball-handling skills and the ability to square one-on-one contests.

Full Back, Harry Taylor (Rovers Geraldton) A favourite player for those old timers that believe the best form of defence is attack.  Cuts off a heap of forward entries and is rarely beaten in a one on one contest.

Back Pocket, Ben Stratton (Dunsborough) this unassuming defending could soon be a triple premiership player.  21 games in close to the best team of the past 20 years…. You’d have to be happy with that.

On ball Brigade

Ruck, Aaron Sandilands (Mt Barker) 2015 wasn’t big Sandi’s most dominant year but despite the emergence of other ruckmen, on his day he is still the most dominant in the competition.  Will no doubt be used forward to kick a few crucial goals and has single handily spoon-fed the Freo midfield all year, just needs to do so three more times. 

Midfield, Nat Fyfe, (Lake Grace) took midfield domination to another level in the first half of the season as he monstered opponents on the ground and in the air.  Looking for the champ to put his game into overdrive this weekend to kick off the finals.  Confident he’ll win Freo some matches on the run home.

Midfield, Patrick Cripps (Northampton) yet another gun from the football factory in Northampton.  Could potentially be the best of the lot.  Plays like a cross between Koutoufides and Judd…. Perhaps.

Interchange

Patrick Ryder (Rovers Geraldton) First year in the city of Churches since departing the Essendon fiasco.   Port Adelaide was a surprising slider this year but both they and Paddy will certainly be better for the run.  Probably the best ruckmen that can go forward in the game.

Harley Bennell (Pinjarra) a disappointing year for Harley on a personal level but has the talent to be in the top ten players in the country.  Will have to rediscover his best form at another club in 2016 but he could have an immediate impact in the right environment.  Fingers crossed.

Ben Howlett (Donneybrook) passed the 100 games milestone in 2015 and was ultra-consistent as a hard-nosed midfielder and down back for the Bombers.  Love the way he goes about his business.

Alan Toovey (Cranbrook) 2015 wasn’t one of Alan’s greatest years but through the ups and downs of Collingwood’s past decade, he’s set the bar pretty high as a sure hand down back.  Passed the 150 games this year and will be included in the Magpies Life Members.