The Courier’s Tim O’Connor has revealed who he thinks were the best 20 players from the 2016 Central Highlands Football League season.
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1 JACK DUKE (Beaufort)
The Crows’ X-factor enjoyed a brilliant season that returned 55 goals from a spot regularly on the wing. A super talent that is always looking to take on the game and create scores.
2 DAVID BENSON (Bungaree)
A towering presence in the ruck, the Demons' big man is widely regarded as the best tall in the league. He took things to a new level in 2016, winning the Geoff Taylor Medal.
3 PAUL MCMAHON (Springbank)
The Springbank spearhead again shone in yellow and black, returning his best goal tally since joining the club. He booted 89 majors, including a haul of six in the grand final.
4 NED GILBERT (Buninyong)
The heart of the Bombers’ engine room, Gilbert enjoyed a super consistent season that carried right through to a quality performance in a losing grand final side.
5 JUSTIN MCCONNELL (Ballan)
The Blues’ coach returned to the CHFL in devastating style. He led the league goal-kicking chart until the final round in a year that returned 73 majors as the focal point of a modest side.
6 BRENTON POWELL (Learmonth)
The Lakies coach put together another consistent campaign that resulted in his fifth club best and fairest award. A ball winner in the midfield, Powell was named in the Learmonth best on 16 occasions.
7 BILL DRISCOLL (Springbank)
As one of the big reasons the Tigers won the premiership, Driscoll again showed his class in 2016. The exciting midfielder/forward kicked 36 goals and was rated in the Tigers' best in 10 of his 15 appearances.
8 MICHAEL FOSTER (Beaufort)
Foster enjoyed his best year since returning to Beaufort to claim the Crows' best and fairest. Always integral in the side's midfield, Foster racked up possessions week in, week out and often bobbed up for a goal.
9 TIM BOYLE (Waubra)
The former Hawthorn forward had his best season in the CHFL, with a return of 68 goals. He was a dangerous target for a strong Waubra side.
10 DAN O’HALLORAN (Hepburn)
A really solid year from the Hepburn onballer, who was named in the Burras’ standout players in 12 of his 18 games during 2016.
11 MARTY DUFTY (Bungaree)
Highly regarded around the competition, Dufty returned from a serious back injury in 2016 and showed some of his best football off half back.
12 JOEL OTTAVI (Buninyong)
This kid is going places and showed just how good he already is with a super season for the Bombers. Ottavi took big marks, kicked goals and showed the experience of someone much older than him.
13 TYLER GEORGE (Springbank)
After arriving from North Ballarat City, the onballer/forward put together a top year for the Tigers, which included 21 goals and 10 appearances in their best.
14 JORDAN ALEXANDER (Daylesford)
One of the key reasons behind Daylesford’s surge up the table, Alexander performed admirably as one of the Bulldogs’ onballers. His year was rewarded with a spot as joint runner-up in the Geoff Taylor Medal count.
15 MICHAEL CUMMINGS (Daylesford)
The ever-consistent Bulldogs star again combined his ball-winning ability in the midfield with a dangerous presence in attack. Has the skills some could only dream of.
16 MARK GUNNELL (Gordon)
Gunnell again showed why he is one of the league’s premier defenders with another solid display in the heart of the Eagles’ backline. Often took the opposition’s number one attacker and did the job.
17 ADAM TOOHEY (Gordon)
An emerging defender, Toohey was highly rated by the Eagles’ coaching staff for his efforts down back in 2016. A good intercept mark and decision-maker out of defence.
18 JAKE GARVEY (Beaufort)
The Crows’ versatile utility was used in many roles, including the ruck in 2016. He again found his way into the league’s team of the year and was influential in many of Beaufort’s wins.
19 CAIUS BARRENGER (Rokewood-Corindhap)
Another emerging youngster, who really burst onto the scene this year. Showed his marking ability at key posts at both ends of the ground in a Grasshoppers side that struggled.
20 WILL YOUNG (Newlyn)
Playing in another relatively weak Newlyn outfit, Young held up his end of the deal. The former Adelaide Crows player kicked 60 goals from limited service.