Tiger takes home J.J. Liston Trophy

Published by
Stephen Marson

Richmond forward/midfielder Jacob Townsend has claimed the J.J. Liston Trophy as the VFL's best player after an impressive season with the Tigers.

Townsend won the count with 18 votes from 15 games, and finished two votes clear of Williamstown midfielder Michael Gibbons, who won the Trophy last season.

The 24-year-old's VFL season was rewarded with a call up to Richmond's senior side for their Round 22 clash with Fremantle, and has kicked 13 goals in his three matches since his promotion.

Over the course of the VFL season, Townsend averaged 21 disposals, 11 contested possessions, six tackles, five clearances and four inside 50s per game, and also booted 14 goals for the year.

In other awards on the night, Casey Demons forward Bayley Fritsch won the Fothergill-Round Medal as the VFL's best young player, while Port Melbourne forward Jordan Lisle was awarded the 'Frosty' Miller Medal as the league's leading goalkicker.

The VFL's Team of the Year was also named on Monday night, with Williamstown and Port Melbourne dominating the side.

The Seagulls had six players named while the Boro had four players represented, as only VFL-listed players were eligible for selection.

In the VFL Women's, Darebin star Katie Brennan won the league's Best and Fairest Award despite playing in only 10 of 14 games for the season.

The Western Bulldogs AFLW had six three-vote games to her name during the season, and finished four votes clear from St Kilda's Brianna Davey.

J.J. Liston Trophy top five

Jacob Townsend - Richmond (18)
Michael Gibbons - Williamstown (16)
Adam Marcon - Williamstown (14)
Matt Hanson - Werribee (14)
Anthony Miles - Richmond (13)

VFL Team of the Year

FB: Luke Tynan (Port Melbourne), Sean Gregory (Coburg), Marty Hore (Collingwood)
HB: Brett Bewley (Williamstown), Cam O'Shea (Northern Blues), Damian Mascitti (Port Melbourne)
C: Eli Templeton (Port Melbourne), Matt Hanson (Werribee), James Tsitas (Geelong)
HF: Bayley Fritsch (Casey), Alex Boyse (Essendon), Michael Gibbons (Williamstown)
FF: Ben Cavarra (Williamstown), Jordan Lisle (Port Melbourne), Dylan Conway (Port Melbourne)
Foll: Nick Meese (Williamstown), Andrew Moore (Box Hill), Willie Wheeler (Williamstown)
Interchange: Jacob Ballard (Richmond), Adam Marcon (Williamstown), Nick Jamieson (Footscray), Anthony Brolic (Box Hill), Tom O'Sullivan (Port Melbourne), Liam Hunt (Coburg)

Coach: Chris Newman (Box Hill)

Published by
Stephen Marson