Top four teams dominate DA's Riverina League team of year

The easiest selection call of the team. A league-best 71 goals, in just 11 games mind you, puts him 29 clear of nearest rival in Coolamon's Joe Redfern. Should we get back on the park, the minor premier's focal point will need to be shut down for rivals to be any hope.

Kicked 42 goals in 14 appearances, his average of three per game bettered only by Castles and Lion Riley Corbett (34 in 11). Has the ability to win games off his own boot, as evidenced by eight goals in a tough win over Leeton-Whitton in the back end of the season.

Oozes class and has the knack of making a big play or kicking a crucial goal when it matters the most. Despite still being relatively young, has seemed to thrive after being given more leadership responsibility in a young team. A midfield accumulator who can also be relied upon to go forward and kick a couple.

His controversial omission from the Allies side seemed to inspire the youngster to produce his best football. He backed up winning the AFL Riverina Championship best and fairest last year by finishing third in this year's player of the year, voted on weekly by coaches. Ten times he finished in the Lions' best, three of those best on grounds. Capable of racking up 40 touches and complementing that with hitting the scoreboard (21 goals in 13 games).

Tough choice between the Swan and Goannas youngster George Kendall, but 40 goals in 14 games for a side which won just two games is difficult to go past. He's the main man Griffith rivals have to lock down week after week, but he still manages to have a big impact in a team devoid of much experience.

A terrific finisher and user of the football, and on his day is just as dangerous as Hoppers coach and Riverina League player of the year Jake Barrett. You can bank on him to make the right decision and 25 goals in 14 matches is the cream on top of his dominance.

The two-time Riverina League Player of the Year is a marvel. He didn't have a pre-season at all due to a knee cleanout and didn't train much before games, but he still dominated enough to finish fourth in player of year voting. Has formed a dominant ruck partnership with Dan Foley, both of whom are adept at going forward to nab the odd goal, as well as dropping back to take intercept marks in defence.

The Canberra recruit has been brilliant for the Goannas. He led player of the year voting for the first half of the year before finishing a close-up fifth. Has many strings to his bow, with an ability to win the hard ball but also apply the polish kicking inside 50 and also help the defence. Has a big motor and his commitment to the club has been highlighted by playing more games than he initially signed for.

Automatic inclusion after winning the player of the year, Barrett has managed to make his usual big impact on games despite juggling coaching for the first time this season and having to look after other players on the field. He was included in the Hoppers' best 12 times in 14 games

Ask most people in football circles and they'll tell you the former GWS Giant and Western Bulldog has already entrenched himself as the best player in the league after one season. The Crows finished well, but he still dominated when they were struggling early in the season. As coach he leads from the front on the track, demands high standards and commitment from his team, and follows through individually. A running machine with silky skills.

One of the most improved players in the competition. In a team which dominated to win the minor premiership, he still managed to stand out as one of their most dangerous players. Tough as they come for a young player and has the self confidence to back himself in. Gets plenty of the pill and can also move forward and kick a couple of goals.

Has played mainly up forward, kicking 24 goals in 13 games, but we've found room for him on the wing to accommodate others into our side. Was named in the Demons' best eight times, and their best on ground three times.

The first-year Tigers coach began the season up forward, where he spent most of his time in a long stint with SANFL club Central Districts. But his move to the back solidified the young but talented Tigers defence. Has been able to organise the back six from there, but also kickstart some attacks downfield.

The Lions captain has been rock solid once again, who regularly wins his match up but also is one of the best readers of play in the league. His intercept marking is arguably the benchmark of the competition and he'd love nothing better than to lead the Lions to a flag should football return.

In a team which finished bottom the Canberra recruit has provided valuable leadership for a young side who battled hard, particularly in the back half of the year. His retention next season, along with a couple more mature recruits, will be vital for the Eagles to be more competitive.

Consistent performer with one of the biggest kicks in the competition. Has previously made a name for himself as a small forward, but coach Jeremy Rowe's decision to send him back this year has been a huge success.

A member of the GWS Giants academy, Gilmore has been a rock solid member of the Tigers' back six which has only improved as the season has gone on. One of the few tall key position players in the Tigers team and has successfully beaten a handful of the league's best forwards this year.

A good ball user from the back, Macauley was named in the Hoppers' best nine times in 14 games. A reliable commodity week to week who doesn't have many 'bags' kicked on him.

After taking last year off he took time to find his feet, but the agile leading forward showed why he spent a year on Geelong's list with a purple patch of form in the back end of the season. He kicked 11 of his 19 goals in the Tigers' last three games, including a four-goal display in the big win over minor premiers Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong. Named in the Tigers' best nine times in 13 games.

A key recruit for the Goannas, who needed a quality ruckman to go up against the likes of Jacob Olsson and Tiger Tom Osmotherly. Strong in the ruck but also mobile around the ground, and drifts back well to help the defence. If we play finals and Canberra's lockdown isn't lifted, it's a massive hole to fill.

Injuries limited him to just 12 games, but he was named in the Bulldogs' best in nine. His hard, link running gave Turvey Park plenty of penetration in the Canberra recruits' first year at Maher Oval. Very good decision maker.

The young on-baller took out the Goannas' best and fairest last year and took that confidence into this campaign with a consistent season. Despite some more quality on-ballers around him this year he still stood out enough to be named in their best eight times in 15 games. An in and under ball-getter who can also drift forward and kick goals.

Perhaps stiff not to be included in the team, but there's no doubt he's done a great job in his first season as player-coach at the Lions. Has instilled up tempo ball movement into the team and a ruthless pressure mindset. Has shown an ability to adjust tactics for each team the Lions play, as evidenced by their bounce-back win over MCUE after losing their first encounter.

B: Marshal Macauley, Hamish Gilmore, Ryan Price

HB: Luke McKay, Ben Walsh, Murray Stephenson (vc)

C: Tom Anderson, Sam Darley (c), Ed Perryman

HF: Matt Hamblin, Henry Delves, Jeremy Maslin

F: Brendan Myers, Trent Castles, Joe Redfern

Foll: Jacob Olsson, Jake Barrett, Ryan Turnbull

Inter: Jock Cornell, Ash Harris, Sam De Sousa, Ethan Schiller

Coach: Sam Martyn

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