Port Melbourne’s Shane Valenti and North Ballarats’ Steve Clifton have won the 2010 JJ.Liston medal, finishing with 20 votes apiece.
With Valenti leading by two votes going into the final round of the season, Clifton secured the votes required to draw level in his sides’ round 18 win over Geelong.
The pair became the second dual-winners of a Victorian Football award this season, with Dyson Heppell and Jackson Sketcher last night sharing the TAC Cup’s top honour.
Delisted by Melbourne in 2009 after just 15 senior games, Valenti joined Port Melbourne in 2010, and has continued to forge a reputation for his fierce attack on the football.
A runner up in 2007, Valenti said admitted he was surprised to see his name at the top of the leaderboard for most of the night.
‘You never know what can happen’ he said.
Whilst Valenti said he has ‘no expectations’ about resuming his AFL career, he conceded that he would ‘love to have a chat’ with Gold Coast coach Guy Mckenna, who was also in attendance.
Another powerful midfielder, Clifton became the second Roosters player in two years to win the VFL’s annual best and fairest award, with Cliftons’ teammate and the 2009 winner Myles Sewell presenting the award.
Clifton agreed that 2010 was the ‘best season I’ve had’ but said he has ‘tried not to think about individual honours’, instead concentrating on the Rooster’s finals campaign.
Valenti and Clifton finished seven votes ahead of third placed Ed Curnow, who polled 12 early votes before suffering a season ending leg injury.
AFL prospect David Swallow capped an impressive year with the Gold Coast Suns, polling a total of 13 votes and finishing fourth.
The annual event, held at Etihad stadium, also included the unveiling of the VFL Team of the Year, which featured both Valenti and Clifton.
Forward Matt Little was awarded the Frosty Miller Medal as the competitions’ leading goalkicker, booting 80 goals for Williamstown in a superb season.
Frankston livewire Michael Hibberd provided a highlight in what was a disappointing season for the Dolphins, winning the Fothergill-Round Medal for the competition's most promising talent.