Ranking the top 10 South Australian-born players

Heading into the fourth annual AFL Gather Round, players across the league will once again have an opportunity to showcase their talents in what is one of the biggest weeks of the year. Victoria and Western Australia had time in the spotlight as the league revived the State of Origin earlier this year, but now it's time to shed a light on the local South Australian products that will get a chance to play in front of fans of all clubs across the country in Adelaide. Here's a look at the top 10 players from South Australia right now in the league... Honourable Mentions Bailey Williams (2026 season stats) 21.3 disposals, 3.8 tackles, 7.3 marks per game Rory Laird (2026 season stats) 21.5 disposals, 1.0 clearances, 10.0 marks per game Alex Neal-Bullen (2026 season stats) 18.3 disposals, 2.0 tackles, 3.8 marks per game Jack Lukosius (2026 season stats) 13.7 disposals, 2.0 goals, 6.7 marks per game Izak Rankine (West Adelaide) Adelaide's electric forward showstopper has had a slow start to the season after a blistering 2025 campaign that was tracking toward an All-Australian nod before his infamous suspension. Rankine finished 2025 with a career-high in disposals, contested possessions, clearances and metres gained while slotting 31 goals. [caption id="attachment_160954" align="alignnone" width="300"] ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 10: Izak Rankine of the Crows celebrates a goal during the 2025 AFL Round 05 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Geelong Cats at Adelaide Oval on April 10, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] Will Day (Adelaide) There won't be any Will Day until at least the second half of the season after the Hawthorn midfielder underwent a shoulder reconstruction. Injuries have become a common theme for Day throughout his career, and while he has the the skills, speed to be a top midfielder, above all else, availability is the best ability. [caption id="attachment_172041" align="alignnone" width="300"] LAUNCESTON, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 29: Will Day of the Hawks runs the ball during the round 3 AFL match between theHawthorn Hawks and GWS Giants at University of Tasmania Stadium, on March 29, 2025, in Launceston, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)[/caption] Brodie Grundy (Adelaide) The two-time All-Australian has thrived as the main ruck for a formidable Sydney team that looks to contend yet again for football's biggest prize. Grundy is still one of the most skillful and composed rucks in the league, being in the top 3 for hit-outs (137) and disposals (72) among ruckmen this season. [caption id="attachment_160433" align="alignnone" width="300"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 05: Brodie Grundy of the Swans runs with the ball during the round four AFL match between North Melbourne Kangaroos and Sydney Swans at Marvel Stadium, on April 05, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)[/caption] Jason Horne-Francis (Adelaide) Powerful, aggressive and versatile, the former Pick 1 is full of potential and is still on his way to becoming an elite player. However, that's the case with ‘The Hornet', potential beams out of him, but the output has only been in bursts especially after only cracking one 20+ disposal game against Essendon this season so far. [caption id="attachment_136708" align="alignnone" width="300"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 28: Jason Horne-Francis of the Power in action during the 2023 AFL Round 07 match between the St Kilda Saints and the Port Adelaide Power at Marvel Stadium on April 28, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] Callum Wilkie (North Adelaide) The first defender on this list is one who is the definition of calm, cool and collected under pressure after coming off one of his best years. Wilkie has led the Saints in intercept marks three of the past four seasons and is one of their most important pieces under Ross Lyon's defensively-oriented game plan that paved the way for him to lead the league in contested marks. [caption id="attachment_125690" align="alignnone" width="300"] Callum Wilkie during the round 22 AFL match between St Kilda and Brisbane on August 12, 2022 (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media)[/caption] Connor Rozee (Port Augusta) Port Adelaide's captain has been one of the more damaging midfielders across the league but has struggled with injuries since taking over captaincy. With an instinct to always find the goals, Rozee is a fast, electric user of the ball who has shown up in big finals games throughout his young career so far. ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 09: Connor Rozee of the Power kicks the ball during the 2022 AFL Round 17 match between the Port Adelaide Power and the GWS Giants at the Adelaide Oval on July 09, 2022 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images) Riley Thilthorpe (Adelaide) Coming off his best year so far with career-highs across the board in disposals, marks, tackles and contested possessions, the 23-year-old bearded beast earned his way to his first All-Australian selection as the team's key forward that capped off his 60-goal season. Thilthorpe has only continued to improve this season by increasing his numbers in most major stat categories. [caption id="attachment_172194" align="alignnone" width="300"] ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 12: Riley Thilthorpe of the Crows celebrates a goal during the AFL First Semi Final match between the Adelaide Crows and the Hawthorn Hawks at Adelaide Oval on September 12, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] Lachie Neale (Kybybolite) One of the highest possession players the game has ever seen, the dual Brownlow medalist and Brisbane premiership captain is always among the league's elite each season. With this year being no different so far after totaling second in total clearances (30) and opening the season with a 39-disposal game in a loss to the Bulldogs. [caption id="attachment_125548" align="alignnone" width="300"] Lachie Neale during the round 22 AFL match between St Kilda and Brisbane on August 12, 2022 (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media)[/caption] Jordan Dawson (Kingston SE) When it comes to impact and getting distance across the ground, few eclipse Adelaide's own captain, who has been the number one rated midfielder for effective metres gained per game across the last four seasons. Taking home the last two best and fairests for Adelaide, Dawson has some of the best ball usage you'll see in the game from any player. [caption id="attachment_160951" align="alignnone" width="300"] ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 16: Jordan Dawson of the Crows celebrates a goal during the 2025 AFL Round 01 match between the Adelaide Crows and the St Kilda Saints at Adelaide Oval on March 16, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (Glenelg) There should be no surprise the AFL's first $2 million man, ‘Nasiah the Messiah' finishes at the top spot in the list. The Saints' superstar has had a rocky start to 2026 from what was expected of him, but that expectation of being the best comes at a cost in the form of tagging after his breakout year last season, a year which saw him finish top five in disposals in the league at 29.9 per game. [caption id="attachment_175120" align="alignnone" width="300"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 15: Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera of the Saints celebrates kicking a goal during the round one AFL match between Melbourne Demons and St Kilda Saints at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on March 15, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption]

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	WB	4	4	0	16	140.4
2	SYD	4	3	1	12	182.9
3	GC	4	3	1	12	152.6
4	FRE	4	3	1	12	133.4
5	NMFC	4	3	1	12	115.3
6	HAW	4	3	1	12	114
7	MELB	4	3	1	12	102
8	PORT	4	2	2	8	117.6
9	BL	4	2	2	8	110.6
10	COLL	4	2	2	8	93.1

Ranking the top 10 South Australian-born players

Victoria and Western Australia had their time in the sun during the State of Origin, now it’s South Australia’s turn ahead of Gather Round.

Honourable Mentions

5Connor Rozee (Port Augusta)

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