GSFL 2024: Three-way tie at the top of Albany Advertiser Footballer of the Year leaderboard after five rounds

A talented trio lead a star-studded pack of chasing rivals after five rounds of voting in the 2024 Albany Advertiser Footballer of the Year Award. The award is voted on in a 3-2-1-system in each league fixture of the Great Southern Football League by Advertiser reporters. Albany young gun Kaleb Germain and big-name Sharks recruit Bailey Taylor are tied at the top alongside Railways silky midfielder Ryley Valli after each polled two three-vote games. Taylor and Germain waxed the votes in the opening four rounds where the Sharks were undefeated, alternating best-on-ground performances in each fixture. Valli, who has returned to Tigerland following a stint at Claremont, was sublime in his side’s round one Anzac Day victory over North Albany before another strong performance at the weekend against Denmark-Walpole moved him to the top of the leaderboard. Mt Barker ball magnet Daniel Patching and Sharks star Isaac Baum have both been consistent performers for their sides and sit third with five votes, having each polled in three matches. Tigers’ Bailey Bennett and Royals pair Hamish McMorran and Brayden Parker are all tied for third with four votes. The Albany Advertiser’s No.1 ranked player leading into the 2024 campaign, Brock Higgins, picked up maximum votes after a dominant display against the Kangas in round five. Bulls spearhead Brodie Duffield also picked up best-on-ground honours in round five as his side upset the Sharks. Travis Conn and Reagan Hutchinson (both three votes) are the top-ranked players from the Kangas and Magpies respectively. 2024 Albany Advertiser Footballer of the Year - Leaderboard 6: Ryley Valli (RAIL) Bailey Taylor (ALB) Kaleb Germain (ALB) 5: Daniel Patching (MB) Isaac Baum (ALB) 4: Bailey Bennett (RAIL) Hamish McMorran (ROY) Brayden Parker (ROY) 3: Brock Higgins (ROY) Zach Jackson (MB) Corey Ward (ROY) Reagan Hutchinson (DW) Travis Conn (NA) Brodie Duffield (MB) Sam Lehmann (MB) Milan Jaggi (RAIL) Bodhi Stubber (RAIL) Declan McNamara (ROY) Taj Williams (ALB) 2: Jayden Scott (RAIL) Bryce Blaszkow (ALB) Tyreice Brown (MB) Barry Roberts (NA) Jyrin Woods (NA) Mohit Jaggi (RAIL) 1: Brett Peake (ALB) Mitch Collier (ALB) Nicholas Ashford (ROY) Marlon Mastalerz (DW) Kane Pinney (ALB)