By Ben Carbonaro
This year’s JJ Liston Trophy was a tie, with two players receiving the same number of votes during a glittering awards ceremony at Etihad Stadium on Monday night.
Port Melbourne’s Shane Valenti and North Ballarat’s Steve Clifton were both rewarded for their consistent seasons. It was the first tie since Tasmania’s Ian Callinan and Sandringham ruckman Paul Johnson shared it in 2005.
Both players were looked on 20 votes in what was a dramatic finish to the night. Box Hill’s Ed Curnow finished third with 13 votes from 13 games before breaking his leg.
In fourth place was exciting West Australian 18-year-old David Swallow who had an outstanding season playing for Gold Coast with 12 votes.
Valenti picked up votes in seven games, including six best-afield performances in his 18 appearances for the Borough.
Reflecting on his season, the former Melbourne-listed midfielder said he had an indifferent start before showing significant improvement and is confident he will play AFL football again.
“My form early wasn’t that good, so to turn it around in the last half was good,” he said.
“You play footy for not individual awards, but this is nice (to win both a Liston and Forthergill-Round medal.”
“I’m always confident in my own ability, I didn’t feel out of place when I did play AFL and my stature of myself isn’t suited to it but I’m very confident that I can play AFL again, no doubt.”
Clifton received votes in eight games, with four best on ground performances from 18 matches and picked up two votes in four other games.
The Roosters midfielder paid tribute to coach Gerard FitzGerald, who has helped take the 23 year-old’s game to another level that culminated in him winning the Liston and being selected to represent Victoria.
“I think I’ve previously been seen as a one-dimensional player (and) more an inside sort of midfielder,” he said.
“With Fitzy I’m trying to get the footy and try to show a bit of piece, increase the handball receives.”
Last Modified on 09/09/2010 10:43