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The best AFL player drafted from each SANFL club since 2000

We take a look at the best SANFL players drafted from each club this century.

Published by
Jordan Routley

South Australia has produced some of the game's greatest players.

Ranging from premiership captains to Brownlow medallists, the traditional football state has a proud history in the game, playing host to a competition for over a century.

Taking a look back on the best players to come from the SANFL, we've named the greatest player each club has produced for the AFL since the century began.

Here's who we've selected, along with a few honourable mentions for each SANFL club...

Central District

Shannon Hurn

Enjoying an unprecedented era of dominance in the 2000s, Central District produced a glut of stars that shone at AFL level, but none brighter than West Coast Eagles captain Shannon Hurn.

Hurn is the second-youngest premiership winner in SANFL history, aged just 17 in the 2004 triumph before following up again in 2005.

Chalking up 333 games in a glittering career, Hurn is still the only Eagle to pass the 300-game milestone and captained the club for five years, including the 2018 premiership campaign.

An understated and unassuming half-back, Hurn was one of the competition's most effective defensive rebounders, earning two All-Australian blazers in 2018 and 2019.

Also in the discussion are premiership stars Travis Varcoe, Daniel Menzel and Sam Butler as other prominent names to emerge from the Doggies.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 14: Shannon Hurn of the Eagles with his Best on Ground (Glendinning / Allen Medal) during the 2019 AFL round 04 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers at Optus Stadium on April 14, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Glenelg

Lachie Neale

Arguably, South Australia's best product in the past 25 years is dual Brownlow Medallist and Brisbane premiership captain Lachie Neale.

Neale played seven league games with Glenelg in his draft year, eventually being picked up by Fremantle with pick 58 in the 2011 draft.

After 135 games and two best and fairest awards with Fremantle, Neale joined Brisbane in 2019, where his career lifted to new heights, winning four best and fairests, four All-Australian blazers and the Gary Ayres Medal in this year's successful finals campaign.

Despite his small stature at 178cm, Neale is widely recognised as one of the best midfielders in the modern era, averaging a remarkable 27 disposals and seven clearances per game across his 272-game career.

Neale faced tough competition for this nomination from four-time Port Adelaide best and fairest Kane Cornes, former Carlton and Adelaide midfielder Bryce Gibbs, West Coast premiership midfielder Jack Redden and star Geelong defender Andrew Mackie.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 28: Leigh Matthews watches on as Chris Fagan, Senior Coach of the Lions, Lachie Neale, Dayne Zorko, and Harris Andrews of the Lions hoist the premiership cup during the AFL Grand Final match between Sydney Swans and Brisbane Lions at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on September 28, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos)

North Adelaide

Shane Edwards

Three-time Richmond premiership midfielder Shane Edwards just gets the nod ahead of a standout field of North Adelaide products.

Often overlooked in a team featuring several big-name players, Edwards was a key member of Richmond's golden era, playing 303 games and earning All-Australian selection in 2018.

Edwards was drafted with pick 26 in the 2006 National Draft after spending time at league level with the Roosters earlier that season, with recruiters and coaches raving over his talent.

Closing in on this title at a rate of knots is Port Adelaide captain Connor Rozee, with the dual All-Australian and best and fairest likely to take the crown, should his form continue.

Fellow premiership midfielder Jack Graham was also in contention, while understated defenders Phill Davis and Callum Wilkie also bear mentioning.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 18: Shane Edwards of the Tigers celebrates after scoring a goal during the round 22 AFL match between the Richmond Tigers and the West Coast Eagles at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 18, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Norwood

Heath Grundy

A key pillar of Sydney's defence for more than a decade, Heath Grundy may not be Norwood's most recognisable product, but arguably its most effective.

Perhaps the epitome of Sydney's era of sustained success, Grundy was another of the Swans' shrewd recruits after being taken in a bargain at pick 42 in the 2005 rookie draft.

Initially used as a forward in his early days at the Swans, Grundy kicked three goals in his debut against Richmond before eventually being switched to defence, where he emerged as one of the best full-backs in the competition.

Using his size and strength to his advantage, Grundy consistently blunted the impact of opposition key forwards and was a crucial member of the Swans' 2012 premiership.

Coming with a rush to claim this title is Brisbane forward/midfielder Zac Bailey, who is starting to cement his place as one of the competition's most dangerous prospects.

Max Michalanney, the son of Norwood great Jim, is an emerging star in Adelaide's defence, while another descendant of Redlegs royalty, James Aish, has carved out a fine AFL career.

Triple premiership small forward Paul Puopolo and livewire goal sneak Orazio Fantasia are other names to have kick-started careers at The Parade.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 15: Heath Grundy of the Swans is carried from the field after victory during the round 13 AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the West Coast Eagles at Sydney Cricket Ground on June 15, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

Port Adelaide

Shaun Burgoyne

With four premierships and 407 AFL games to his name, Shaun Burgoyne is tough to beat as Port Adelaide's greatest product this century.

With a name steeped in Port Adelaide history, Burgoyne emerged from the Magpies system in 2000 to join the Power list with pick 12 in the National Draft.

A true utility who could play almost anywhere on the field, the man nicknamed ‘Silk' was an invaluable asset at Port Adelaide and later Hawthorn in serving wherever he was needed.

Burgoyne was also a big-game player who had plenty of experience in September, playing 35 finals and six grand finals in an illustrious career.

Once a dominant force in the competition, the Magpies produced the likes of Melbourne and Adelaide midfielder Scott Thompson and Brett Montgomery, while Brett and Brad Ebert, who carried on one of Alberton's biggest names, also established successful AFL careers.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 26: Shaun Burgoyne of the Hawks celebrates victory in the round 10 AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the Hawthorn Hawks at Sydney Cricket Ground on May 26, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/AFL Media/Getty Images)

South Adelaide

Ryan Griffen

While South Adelaide has failed to win a SANFL premiership in 60 years, they have long been considered a football factory, with Western Bulldogs and GWS midfielder Ryan Griffen one of their best products.

Drafted with pick three in the 2004 National Draft, Griffen went on to become one of the league's premier midfielders, twice winning the Bulldogs' best and fairest award and earning All-Australian selection in 2013.

After 202 games with the Dogs, Griffen controversially walked out on the club at the end of 2014 to join GWS, where he finished his career on 257 games.

Power midfield gun Jason Horne-Francis is fast proving worthy of this mantle despite his age of just 21, already putting his name up in lights in his first 65 games.

Essendon ruckman Sam Draper, Collingwood small forward Beau McCreery and All-Australian rebounding defender Caleb Daniel have also forged strong AFL presences.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 17: Ryan Griffen poses during a Greater Western Sydney Giants AFL portrait session on January 17, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Sturt

Brodie Grundy

The Collingwood, Melbourne, and Sydney ruckman narrowly beat out some heavy competition for this title, with Sturt producing a host of stars in recent years.

Despite a lean year in his only season at the Demons in 2023, in which his partnership with Max Gawn did not work, Grundy has long been considered the best ruckman in the league behind Gawn, winning two All-Australians and two best and fairest awards with the Magpies.

Incredibly mobile for his size of 203cm, Grundy often acts as an extra midfielder at stoppages, following up at ground level after the ruck duel.

Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson can consider himself incredibly unlucky to miss out, establishing himself as one of the league's best midfielders since crossing to the Crows in 2022.

Former Adelaide and Sydney defender Martin Mattner was also right in contention as a pivotal player in Sydney's 2012 flag, while forwards Chad Wingard and Angus Monfries are also worth mentioning.

MELBOURNE, VICTORIA - SEPTEMBER 21: Brodie Grundy of the Magpies celebrates a goal during the AFL Preliminary Final match between the Richmond Tigers and the Collingwood Magpies on September 21, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/AFL Media/Getty Images)

West Adelaide

Adam Cooney

The 2008 Brownlow Medallist snuck over the line ahead of some big names that have emerged from West Adelaide in recent times.

Drafted with pick one in the 2003 National Draft, Cooney went on to become one of the game's best midfielders, with his ball-winning ability, explosive pace and nous around goal making him a fan favourite at Whitten Oval.

After 219 games with the Bulldogs, Cooney moved to Essendon in 2015, where he played another two years before hanging up the boots as he struggled with injury.

Current Adelaide Crows star Izak Rankine could soon overtake Cooney for this mantle, with his undeniable talent and game-winning ability already having a huge impact on the competition in his 83 games.

Reliable defenders Ben Rutten and Sam Fisher were notable West Adelaide exports, as were Hamish Hartlett and Rory Laird.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 07: Adam Cooney of the Bulldogs is tackled during the round 12 AFL match between the Western Bulldogs and the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium on June 7, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Woodville-West Torrens

Brian Lake

One of the best full-backs in the modern era, Brian Lake deserves his place as Woodville-West Torrens' best product this century among a crowded field.

Taken by the Western Bulldogs at the bargain price of pick 71 in the 2001 National Draft, Lake took a couple of seasons to cement his place but soon proved a cornerstone of the Dogs' finals appearances in the late 2000s.

A dual All-Australian and 2007 Bulldogs best and fairest winner, Lake made the switch to Hawthorn in 2013, where he won three premierships along with the 2013 Norm Smith Medal.

At 195cm and nearly 100kg, Lake possessed the size and positioning smarts to diffuse the competition's big-name full forwards as one of the league's toughest match-ups.

Also in the conversation were dual best and fairest Bernie Vince, Geelong premiership small forward Tyson Stengle, Adelaide half-back Brodie Smith and Melbourne livewire Kysaiah Pickett.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Brian Lake of the Hawks celebrates with the Premeirship Cup during the 2014 AFL Grand Final match between the Sydney Swans and the Hawthorn Hawks at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 27, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Published by
Jordan Routley