AHEAD of the 2013 J.J Liston Trophy we spoke to the Peter Jackson VFL coaches to see who they thought might be take home this year’s medal.
The following are the coaches favourites for the award, as Justin Jenvey writes:
James Magner (Casey Scorpions)
The Melbourne listed midfielder is the overwhelming favourite among the competitions' coaches. After spending the majority of last season at AFL level for the Demons he has been used sparingly this season and Casey have been the benefactors. Magner finished the home and away season averaging 28.6 disposal and 6.7 tackles from 16 games and it would be a shock if he doesn’t finish near the top of the leader board.
Chris Cain (Port Melbourne)
Cain has made a permanent move to the midfield in 2013, a role that he has thrived in after spending the early part of his VFL career in the forward half. The 26-year-old has averaged 26 possessions per game and while he hasn’t hit the scoreboard as much as the last two seasons he has still contributed 23 majors. Having played all but one game in the home and away season it is very likely he will feature heavily in the votes.
Jarred Moore (Werribee Tigers)
The former Sydney Swan has quite often gone unnoticed in his first season in the VFL but the stats suggest otherwise. Moore on average gathers 27.3 disposals and seven tackles per game and in 17 games has figured in the best players 14 times. The stocky midfielder does his best work in contested situations but also gets plenty of the footy on the outside which the umpires are sure to notice.
Kane Lambert (Northern Blues)
Lambert has taken his game to a new level in 2013 turning himself into a goal kicking midfielder. In 18 regular season games he has averaged 25 possessions a game while adding 20 goals. His breakout season has caught the eye of opposition coaches, and it is sure to have caught the attention of the umpires and you would think possible interest from AFL clubs.
The coaches picks:
Aussie Jones - Bendigo
Opposition Pick: James Magner or Josh Scipione
Best for Bendigo Tip: Alik Magin or Daniel Toman
Damian Carroll - Box Hill Hawks
Opposition Pick: James Magner or Chris Cain
Best for Box Hill: Sam Iles or Mitch Hallahan
Rohan Welsh - Casey Scorpions
Opposition Player: Chris Cainor Kane Lambert
Best for Casey: James Magneror Tom Couch
Tim Clarke - Coburg
Opposition Pick: Jarred Moore or John Baird
Best for Coburg: Sam Lonergan or Aaron Edwards
Dale Tapping - Collingwood
Opposition Pick: James Magner or Jarred Moore
Best for Collingwood: Kyle Martin or Jack Hellier
Hayden Skipworth - Essendon
Opposition Pick: Mark Corrigan or Chris Cain
Best for Essendon: Ben Duscher or Tayte Pears
Simon Goosey - Frankston
Opposition Pick: Kyle Martin or James Magner
Best for Frankston: Shane Hockey or Russell Gabriel
Matthew Knights - Geelong
Opposition Pick: James Magneror Jarred Moore
Best for Geelong: Mark Corrigan or Jordan Schroder
Gerard FitzGerald - North Ballarat
Opposition Pick: Ben Jolley or Kane Lambert
Best for North Ballarat: Steve Clifton or Liam Anthony
Luke Webster - Northern Blues
Opposition Pick: Ben Jolley or James Magner
Best for Northern: Kane Lambert or Tom Bell
Gary Ayres - Port Melbourne
Opposition Pick: James Magneror Ben Jolley
Best for Port Melbourne: Chris Cain or John Baird
Scott West - Werribee Tigers
Opposition Pick: Sam Iles or Chris Cain
Best for Werribee: Jarred Moore or Daniel Currie
Peter German - Williamstown
Opposition Pick: Kane Lambert or Jarred Moore
Best for Williamstown: Ben Jolley or Daniel Cross
Photo: Morgan Hancock
Last Modified on 02/09/2013 15:52