2015 J. J. Liston Trophy winner Nick Rippon had a couple of reasons to be emotional when he was presented with the award on Monday night.
The North Ballarat midfielder shed a tear upon arriving on-stage and needed a moment to compose himself before being able to speak about his achievement.
Rippon was a shining light for the Roosters in a year in which they finished just outside the final eight, showing his ability to effectively play inside and outside the contest.
The 21-year-old’s talent is undoubted, but the repeated disappointment of missing out on achieving his dream of making it to the AFL made his success on Monday night all the more emotional.
He was partly overwhelmed by the unexpected nature of the Liston Trophy win – saying he actually thought he had a better year in 2014 – but also by how a lot of hard work had culminated in some special recognition.
“I was a bit emotional (because) I just had a lot of people around me that really cared for me and had put so much into my football over the years,” Rippon said.
“I think with some of the disappointment that footy can bring, it’s just nice to be recognised after so many years of hard work.”
- CLICK HERE to watch a replay of the J.J. Liston Trophy
Rippon said some of that disappointment started after his final year with the North Ballarat Rebels in the TAC Cup in 2012, when he finished runner-up to current Carlton player Nick Graham in the Morrish Medal.
“(The Morrish result) probably snowballed on to missing the opportunity in the AFL Draft (in 2012), and every year since then,” Rippon said.
“Not that it’s a bad thing – it depends on what clubs want and what clubs need; all I can do is control what I can control and that’s playing good footy.”
The East Point junior certainly did that in 2015, averaging over 24 disposals in 18 matches for the Roosters and improving on his team-orientated defensive work.
He said he’d still like to work on his disposal efficiency and impact on the scoreboard, but that he’d enjoyed a “more well-rounded” year than in previous seasons.
On that note, Rippon said he’d miss the holistic influence of mentor and VFA/VFL record-holder for most games coached, Gerard FitzGerald, who is departing the club he coached to premierships in 2008-10.
“He’s a great man,” Rippon said.
“He puts time and effort into each player; he not only wants to improve you as a player, he wants to improve you as a person as well, and that’s the best thing about him.”
Rippon said he’s “extremely determined” to make it to the elite level, and while he’s under no illusions that his Liston Trophy success will guarantee a spot on an AFL list come November’s NAB AFL Draft, he’ll be hoping FitzGerald’s tutelage has also made him a rounded enough player in the eyes of recruiters.
But if disappointment arrives again in November, Rippon said he’ll be back at North Ballarat in 2016 – in the region where he’s spent his entire football life – under a new coach and with a renewed desire to achieve his goal.
View the latest VFL stories below:
Finals Hub: Entry prices, media coverage, game info
VFL Team of the Year
Fothergill-Round Medal winner: Adam Marcon
A. Todd Medal winner: Dylan Conway
Club by club voting
VFL podcast: Sandringham's Mitch Brown
Last Modified on 10/09/2015 22:25
