Best of the best

Monique Conti during her days at the Calder Cannons. (Shawn Smits).

The who’s who of the NAB League competition have been recognised as part of the competition’s 30th anniversary.

The best 30 players from the Victorian-based teams of both the boys and girls NAB League competitions were announced last week.

The boys top 30 was picked by a five-person judging panel, with rankings based on personal achievements at AFL level, with leadership qualities and team success also factored in.

Two-time Brownlow medallist Gary Ablett Jnr was named the top player to come out of the competition, ahead of Chris Judd.

Brad Johnson was the top former Western Jet on the list, named the fifth best player to come out of the Victorian NAB League teams.

Matthew Lloyd was ranked sixth and Dustin Fletcher was named 17th.

Collingwood champion Dane Swan was one of two Calder Cannon named in the boys top 30. He was named at number 16, while Eddie Betts was named the 23rd best player.

AFL games record holder Brent Harvey, who played for the Northern Knights, was named the 12th best player to come out of the competition. Trent Cotchin (19th) and Marcus Bontempelli (24th) were the other former Knights named in the top 30.

The girls list was based on Champion Data average ranking points per AFLW game, with players having needed to play more than 10 AFLW games to be eligible for selection.

The Calder Cannons dominated the top ranked players, with the top four all coming from Melbourne’s north-west.

Richmond star Monique Conti was ranked the best player, ahead of new Essendon midfielder Madison Prespakis.

St Kilda gun Georgia Patrikios was ranked number three and a stunning first year has Georgie Prespakis ranked at number four.

Chloe Molloy, who was ranked the ninth best player, was the fifth Cannon in the list.

Former number one draft pick Ellie McKenzie was the highest ranked former Northern Knight, named the 10th best player.

Gabby Newton, who was also a number one draft pick, was ranked 17th and Jessica Fitzgerald was ranked the 19th best.

Three former Western Jets’ players were also on the list. Elisabeth Georgostathis was ranked 22nd, a spot ahead of Isabelle Pritchard, while Isabella Grant was ranked 29th.