GSFL 2024: 10 votes takes Railways’ Ryley Valli to top of GSFL Coaches’ Player of the Year ahead of Isaac Baum

Star Railways on-baller Ryley Valli has quickly moved to the top of the Great Southern Football League coaches’ votes leaderboard after polling a perfect 10 votes last weekend.

Sitting third heading into round six, Valli was best-afield in his side’s 44-point victory over North Albany last Saturday, jumping to 34 votes and past previous leader and Mt Barker ball magnet Daniel Patching (26 votes).

Valli has now polled all five votes from a coach on five separate occasions, the most of any player in the league.

Breathing down his neck on 31 votes in second place is versatile Albany forward Isaac Baum, who matched Valli with a 10-vote game in their 111-point demolition of Denmark-Walpole.

Fellow Sharks teammate Bailey Taylor is third with 27 votes after getting three from both coaches in round six, one vote clear of Patching and Tigers midfielder Bailey Bennett in equal fourth.

Bennett, who has only played four matches this season, partnered Valli superbly against the Kangas and earned eight votes for his efforts.

Patching was voteless for the first time this season after being quelled by a hard tag from Jordan Hulm in the Bulls’ victory over Royals.

Lions’ Declan McNamara, who was second coming into the round, slid to fifth after missing their clash with the Bulls.