JJ Liston Trophy 2018: Michael Gibbons and Anthony Miles share award

CRACK Williamstown midfielder Michael Gibbons is the eighth two-time winner of the Liston Trophy after tying for the VFL’s top individual honour with Richmond’s Anthony Miles. The past 12 winners of the award have gone on to play AFL.

CRACK Williamstown midfielder Michael Gibbons last night became the eighth two-time winner of the Liston Trophy after tying for the VFL’s top individual honour with Richmond tough nut Anthony Miles.

Gibbons and Miles were squared on 19 votes, the seventh time the state league’s best and fairest has been shared.

Michael Gibbons was a standout for Williamstown. Picture: Getty Images

Werribee key defender and former Fremantle backman Sam Collins and Collingwood onballer Alex Woodward, who won the award in 2014, tied for third with 16 votes.

Footscray ball-winner Will Hayes finished a further two votes back on 14.

Anthony Miles bounced back from losing his VFL semi-final on Saturday to win his first JJ Liston. Picture: Getty Images

Gibbons, 23, won the 2016 award and finished runner-up last year, ranking first in the VFL for total disposals (averaging 28 per game), clearances (seven) and inside 50s (6.5) this season.

Miles was dominant for the minor premiers, polling 16 votes in his first eight games.

He becomes the second Tiger in as many years to win the award after teammate Jacob Townsend took out the top gong in 2017.

Williamstown ball-winner Jess Duffin made it a night to remember for the Seagulls, named the Lambert-Pearce medallist for the VFL Women’s best and fairest player.

Werribee forward Josh Corbett claimed the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal as the competition’s most promising player.

The past 12 award winners have gone on to play AFL.

Alex Woodward in action for Collingwood. Picture: Getty Images