By Travis Parnaby
Williamstown captain Brett Johnson could be considered one of the unluckiest on Liston Trophy night.
For the second time in three years, Johnson finished a solitary vote behind the winner. In 2006, he polled 17 votes to Aaron Edwards (Frankston) 18 and last night he polled 15 votes behind winner James Podsiadly (Werribee) who collected 16.
He finished third in 2007 and was unlucky not to have polled a vote in the last game this year – he kicked three goals and was best on for Williamstown.
As expected Coburg Tiger Greg Tivendale finished the highest of AFL-listed players on 14 votes. But the story of the night was Sandringham’s Shane Valenti’s continued vote catching ability.
He polled 20 votes last year to finish second behind Geelong captain James Byrne (22 votes). This year, he polled 13 votes to finish just three behind winner James Podsiadly.
Amazingly, he polled in six of the 10 games he played including two best on ground games. No doubt, had he played a full season would have been hard to top.
At the post count press conference, winner James Podsiadly was asked if he would celebrate into the night.
“I didn’t expect to win. I’ve got a test at uni tomorrow so I’ve got to go home and study,” Podsiadly said, who is studying exercise science.
“We’ll leave that to whenever the season finishes.
“I think I’ll email my lecturer tonight and tell him I won the Liston. Do you reckon he’ll believe me?”
Last Modified on 14/01/2009 17:53