Well, if my predictions are on the money, you’ll know a lot more about him by season’s end.

In what is a difficult and sure-to-be highly scrutinised task, I’ve landed with the Ballan recruit to become the number one player in the Central Highlands Football League in 2015.

Of course, selecting a footballer new to the league is a bit of a gamble, but an educated one when you have a look at some of the credentials the classy midfielder brings to the competition.

The process of coming up with this list involved nominating players from each of the league’s 18 teams and then working through that group to come up with the final rankings.

As always, there’s a handful of good players that just missed a place in the top 20, but that’s a reflection of the strength of the competition.

For the record, Hepburn and Springbank have the most players in the rankings this year with four apiece, while reigning premiers Bungaree are the next best represented with three.

1. MARCUS CROOK (BALLAN)

THE new Ballan signing lands with one heck of a resume and is fresh off a best-on-ground performance in the Geelong Football League grand final win with Colac. Crook’s list of accolades includes NAB Cup appearances for Greater Western Sydney and the J.J. Lussick Medal as the best player of the Australian Country Football Carnival in 2010. He’s even got his own YouTube highlight reel and, while it was from a few years ago, he looks a gifted player.

2. ANDY MCKAY (HEPBURN)

THE best player I’ve seen in the Central Highlands Football League during my time covering the competition finds himself at number two. An agile, skilful and hard-working midfielder, McKay is also dangerous up forward and will be a threat around goals with his sidekick, Lee Cox, now back at the club. He can do things many others can only dream of.

3. SAM TURNER (BUNINYONG)

INJURY brought a sad end to what was a stellar 2014 campaign from the Bombers’ onballer, who was unlucky not to finish higher than eighth in the Geoff Taylor Medal count. Seems to be growing year on year, with his hard-nosed edge and ballwinning ability vital in his team’s chances of success. He’s a genuine team player who is sure to have another big year.

4. MICHAEL SEARL (SPRINGBANK)

ANOTHER new face in the league, Searl has a list of achievements the envy of many of his rivals. The former North Ballarat Roosters captain finished his VFL career last year with 143 senior games, which included two premierships. While best known for his efforts in defence at VFL level, Searl’s versatility to go in the ruck and up forward will make him a valuable asset in 2015.

5. MICHAEL FOSTER (BEAUFORT)

THE classy midfielder returns to his junior club after signing from Newtown and Chilwell, where he played the past two years in the Geelong Football League. A premiership player with Lake Wendouree in 2010, Foster arrives with good raps and should thrive among a bolstered Crows outfit, which looks set to threaten for a spot in finals.

6. LEE COX (HEPBURN)

ONE of the greatest ever forwards the competition has seen is back after a one-year absence from the Burras. Cox won the Central Murray league goal-kicking award while playing with TooleybucManangatang, and while his tricks are well known to opposition defenders, that won’t stop him booting a big haul this year. A great reader of the play, who is capable of taking big pack marks. Look out!

7. BILL DRISCOLL (SPRINGBANK)

OVERSEAS travel saw Driscoll play just 11 games for the Tigers in 2014, but his influence should not be underestimated. The lively forward missed football throughout May, June and most of July, but returned in good form and had a major hand in helping Springbank to the grand final. Agile and quick, Driscoll is a big threat around the contest and in attack.

8. MICHAEL CUMMINGS (DAYLESFORD)

THE Bulldogs midfielder’s best is a good as any player in the competition, with his silky skills, penetrating kick and the ability to rest forward and find the goals a recipe for success. He was my number one player last season, and while he probably didn’t quite reach those expectations, still had a standout year, which saw him finish equal runner-up in the Geoff Taylor Medal count behind Springbank’s Luke Fisher.

9. DAVID BENSON (BUNGAREE)

I’M a hard man to convince when it comes to the worth of a ruckman in any side, but there’s no doubting Benson’s influence in the Demons’ premiership season of 2014. Benson capped a standout first year with the club by wining the best-onground medal in last year’s grand final triumph. His towering height, clever tap work and super endurance makes him a lock for this year’s top 20.

10. PAUL McMAHON (SPRINGBANK)

I’M not convinced the game style of the Central Highlands has suited McMahon in his two years at Springbank, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t an influential presence up forward for the Tigers. He had easily the best of his two seasons at the club in 2014, where he booted 78 goals as the club reached the decider. The classy goalkicker might relish being the number one target man this year given the absence of Tom Eltringham and will no doubt boot some big bags in what shapes as another big year for the yellow and black.

11. MITCH BRUNS (BUNGAREE)

THE explosive back pocket was the talk of the grand final last year after overcoming a severe hamstring injury to star in the Demons’ triumph. But his season was much more than just a memorable performance on the big stage. Bruns’ speed out of defence all season was enough to earn him a spot in the league team of the year and it’s hard to see him going backwards at such a young age.

12. RICKY FERRARO (HEPBURN)

SOMEWHAT of an unknown to many in the region, Ferraro arrives at the Burras with his brother, Jason. He looks a strong, nuggety onballer, who should thrive in his new competition, particularly when the grounds are wet. Ferraro arrives from Peninsula league side Bonbeach with a strong football background that includes stints with a handful of VFL sides. He also captained the Dandenong Stingrays to the 2008 TAC Cup grand final.

13. MICK NOLAN (GORDON)

A SURPRISE selection in this year’s top 20, the pint-sized goalsneak caused major headaches for most opposition in the league last year as the Eagles reached the preliminary final. Nolan finished the campaign with 59 majors and was held goalless just once in his 18 matches for the year. Another big year is expected in a Gordon side likely to give the flag a real shake.

14. NED GILBERT (BUNINYONG)

GILBERT continues to get better and better since signing at Buninyong a few seasons ago and will be a fulltime Bombers player in 2015 after finding a spot on the North Ballarat Roosters’ roster last year. Gilbert is a well-built, versatile onballer, who can fill a variety of roles around the ground. Can’t see anything changing his status as one of the league’s key figures in what looks like another successful year for the club.

15. BRENDAN SUTCLIFFE (HEPBURN)

SUTCLIFFE is really developing into a vitally important player for the Burras, with his ruck work and ability to kick goals up forward a dangerous combination for opposition teams. Sutcliffe enjoyed probably his best year at the club in 2014, kicking 29 goals to finish ninth in the league best-and-fairest award. Another big season is expected.

16. CHRIS O'KEEFE (BUNGAREE) 

GETTING on in years, the speedy Demon still has the ability to be one of the competition’s premier onballers when at his best. He had a big season in his return to Bungaree last year and showed his class with a standout display in the Central Highlands’ inter-league victory over Loddon Valley. There’s surely another big year in store.

17. TIM MALONE (SPRINGBANK)

ONE of the few defenders in the top 20, Malone should improve on what he did in his first year at the Tigers. Being a former best on ground in a Ballarat Football League interleague side and best and fairest in a Lake Wendouree premiership team shows his class.

18. TIM MULLANE (WAUBRA)

IT’S hard to find a player from the Roos that forces their way into this list, but I feel the hard-working and often underrated Mullane deserves his place. Consistency, ability to accumulate solid numbers and nous for goals makes the Roos onballer a prized asset. He should be one of the main go-to men in the Waubra engine room this year with the likes of Nick Sullivan and Jason Delaney now gone.

19. MARK GUNNELL (GORDON)

GUNNELL is a consistent big man in defence for the Eagles who churns out season after season of good football. He has been a regular in the Central Highlands inter-league calculations and is a key factor in Gordon’s upward spiral of success in past years.

20. WILL YOUNG (NEWLYN)

THE former Adelaide Crows draftee made a huge impact in his first season at Newlyn in 2014. Kicked 59 goals in a struggling Cats side that managed just five wins for the campaign. However, perhaps his most important display was for the Central Highlands, where he helped lead the team to a big inter-league victory with a telling display in attack. Expecting another good year from the key forward.