YOU could tell by the look on his face and the mischievous smiles of his teammates; a second J.J Liston Trophy meant the world to North Ballarat’s Steve Clifton, writes David O’Neill
The boys from Ballarat were the last people to leave Etihad Stadium last night, plotting a night out in Melbourne to celebrate Clifton’s historic three-way tie with Geelong’s Jordan Schroder and Box Hill Hawks’ Mitch Hallahan.
The trio finshed the count locked on 17 votes, just the second time three players have tied for the prestigious honour in the awards’ 68-year history.
“These things don’t come around too often and it’s important we help ‘Clifo’ celebrate tonight,” Roosters skipper Michael Searl said.
Clifton’s partner in crime Myles Sewell, a Liston Trophy winner himself, was as happy as anyone with the result but was keen to make sure his mate didn’t get ahead of himself.
“He (Clifton) won it in 2010 with Shane Valenti and this year’s he’s obviously shared it with two others, so my calculations have him with .83 of a medal,” Sewell said with a laugh.
“I’m still ahead of him.”
Clifton played all 18 games for the Roosters this season after a two-year stint with Greater Western Sydney that yielded five AFL games.
After injuries curtailed his time at the elite level, Clifton said he never had a second thought about returning to the club where he won three consecutive premierships from 2008-10.
“North Ballarat has been like a second family to me and I never really considered going anywhere else,” he said.
“One of the biggest things we try to achieve at North Ballarat is team unity and that also involves our relationship with the Kangaroos.”
“I think it was one of the foundations of our success in those premiership years.”
Clifton said winning a second Liston trophy was an unexpected honour.
“I certainly didn’t come here tonight expecting anything and was just looking forward to catching up with a few people and enjoying the night with my teammates.”
“To share this award with Mitch and Jordan is an honour and a privilege.”
“They are both certainly good young players and the future of the game. I’m sure they have big careers ahead of them.”
Last Modified on 03/09/2013 11:11