VFL 2018: Collingwood’s Alex Woodward almost wins JJ Liston Trophy despite playing only seven games

THE COLLINGWOOD VFL boss has called for AFL clubs to consider drafting Alex Woodward after the midfielder’s remarkable return from a fourth knee reconstruction.

LAST NIGHT belonged to Richmond’s Anthony Miles and Williamstown’s Michael Gibbons as joint winners of the VFL’s JJ Liston Trophy.

But in terms of voting, Collingwood’s Alex Woodward owned the second half of the season.

Returning to football after his fourth knee reconstruction, the midfielder played seven home-and-away matches and polled 16 votes, only three behind Miles and Gibbons.

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There was just a tinge of regret from the Maggies that they rested him for the Round 20 game against Frankston Dolphins.

Thundering home like Melbourne Cup winner Kiwi, Woodward — who won the 2014 Liston when listed with Hawthorn, where he played two AFL games between 2012-16 — gained four 3s and two 2s in the count.

Alex Woodward gets away a handball in the VFL elimination final against the Dons.

Collingwood GM Chris Dixon this morning urged AFL clubs to take a look at Woodward, 25.

“If you take into account his character and what he produces, there’s no doubt he could come in and make an impact,’’ Dixon said.

“Because of his history it will be question of clubs taking that risk from a medical point of view, but if they had enough confidence in it, then why not?

“At worst you’d be bringing in someone who would be a great cultural fit for your club, someone so good for your playing group in regards passing on his experience, and certainly he proved in the back half of this year that his football still stacks up.’’

Alex Woodward polled 16 votes in seven matches.

Dixon added: “Yeah, there was just a little bit of regret last night after we took him out of the Frankston game and rested him. He’d played six weeks in a row and we just wanted to look after him going forward. I guess you never know what could have happened. It’s just amazing he could come back and play at such a high level.’’

Woodward said he was “pleasantly surprised’’ by his showing and regarded it as a “nice little reward for effort’’ for the season.

“I was just happy to be back playing footy. I was never expecting anything like that,’’ he said.

“In saying that, I think both winners, ‘Milesy’ and ‘Gibbo’, truly deserved their accolades last night after fantastic seasons.’’

As for sitting out the Frankston game, he said he was feeling “banged up’’ and it was wise to take the week off.

Alex Woodward with the 2014 Liston Trophy.

Woodward declared he was eager to gain a second chance at AFL level.

He said no clubs had spoken to him but he would probably contact a few in the next few weeks.

“I still feel I’ve got plenty to give, in more ways than one. I feel I can offer a fair bit to a footy club,’’ he said.

“I’ll get on the front foot and try to put my name out there and speak to people where I can. I haven’t necessarily given up on the dream. Hopefully, fingers crossed.’’

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Woodward is much admired in football for his chin-up response to his setbacks, and Gibbons revealed last night that the Magpie had made contact with classy Willy wingman Jack Dorgan.

Dorgan injured his knee late in the season and, like Woodward, has undergone fourth ACL.

“I think ‘Woody’ is, like, incredible,’’ Gibbons said. “I have a good mate down at Williamstown, Jack Dorgan, who’s just done his fourth knee this year, and speaking to him, ‘Woody’ reached out to him as the good bloke he is. I’ve got to know ‘Woody’ a little bit over the last 12 months and just his character and the way he goes about his footy … to come back and do that, it’s not surprising, but it’s very pleasing for him.’’