VFL/VFLW: Tom Gribble wins J.J. Liston Trophy, Georgia Nanscawen claims Lambert-Pearce Medal

After claiming back-to-back league medals, an Essendon VFLW star and Werribee VFL gun have opened up on the challenges they’ve faced to get there.

Brayden May

@braydenjmay

6 min read

September 13, 2022 - 9:32AM

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Tom Gribble admits he had a point to prove to himself in 2022.

After performing below his own expectations in a Covid impacted season, Gribble took it upon himself to take his game to another level for Werribee.

It was a mindset which pushed him towards back-to-back J.J. Liston trophies after he won the award in the last completed season, 2019.

In the process, Gribble became Werribee’s only player to win the award on multiple occasions.

“Last year was really challenging for me with the year off and with dad’s passing (in 2020),” he said.

“It didn’t rock the boat with me but I didn’t play as well as I would have liked last year even though it was a nine-game season.

“It spurred me on to get cracking a little bit more early in terms of pre-season. The whips were cracking for me in August because I was a little bit disappointed with how I went as well as the level of expectation to perform.

“It was a challenge but I think it made the fire grow a little bit more to perform and chase that ultimate success of a premiership.”

Tom Gribble of Werribee wins the 2022 J. J. Liston Trophy. Photo: AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Desperate to respond in 2022, Gribble added to his own weight of expectation when he was named as the Tigers’ co-captain alongside Dom Brew.

He wanted to lead the right way and also play the best footy possible.

“It probably put more pressure on me if I’m honest in terms of own personal performance,” he said of the captaincy.

“It’s actually really easy to lead when you’re playing well because you can help others. When you’re not playing well it can be quite a challenge because you start getting in your own head about my own form isn’t good enough.

“Then you have to think outside yourself as a captain to make sure other guys are going okay.

“I probably did put some more pressure on myself to perform. I did have a few conversations with Mick throughout the middle part of the year in particular to just release and not put so much pressure on myself.

“The co-captaincy, I’m by no means a refined product in terms of my leadership, Dom and I present different things but we compliment each other quite well.

“I’m hoping to grow next year and hopefully lead the team better than I did this year.”

Tom Gribble of Werribee. Picture: Mark Dadswell

While Gribble’s name may now come into draft calculations as a mature-age recruit, he isn’t thinking too far ahead.

The last multiple winner of the J.J. Liston Trophy, Michael Gibbons, earned his shot in the AFL with Carlton after the 2018 season.

“My ship’s sailed that’s for sure. I’m 27 going on 28,” Gribble said.

“I think the harbouring of the ambition to go on and play AFL footy has held me in good stead to find continual improvement in my game.

“Whether it happens or not, I’m not that fussed to be honest. I’ve got a life outside of footy and all that set up.

“The dream would obviously be incredible but it’s not the be all and end all.”

Tom Gribble is embraced by teammates. Photo: AFL Photos via Getty Images.

This year marked the second season of the expanded VFL season to include teams from the northern states, NSW and Queensland.

And Gribble believes it has helped him develop his game even further.

“I think it’s part of the reason I play in the VFL as well is to challenge myself against those guys who are on AFL lists,” he said.

“You never know what the competition is going to present. For example you might have a Josh Kennedy for Sydney rolling back and playing for the Swans. He didn’t play against us but that’s an opportunity to put your name out there I suppose and show what you can do.

“Conversely I think I’m pretty lucky that Rhys Mathieson did play 12 games and that Chris Fagan did recall him to the ones because I think he might have run away with it.

“That’s the uniqueness of the competition but it doesn’t make this accomplishment any less.”

BOMBERS STAR REFUSING TO GIVE UP ON SECOND CHANCE

Essendon VFLW star Georgia Nanscawen won just about everything in 2022 but she still has one burning desire.

To play AFLW with the Bombers.

Nanscawen will miss the entirety of the club’s debut season in the competition due to an ACL injury after she was the first player signed by the Bombers.

On Tuesday night, she was crowned the Lambert-Pearce medallist for the second straight season.

It capped a remarkable 2022 where she co-captained the Bombers to a maiden VFLW premiership while she also earned Team of the Year selection and was named the inaugural Coaches MVP.

Mia-Rae Clifford, Renee Tierney, Amelia Radford, Georgia Nanscawen and Federica Frew of the Bombers. Photo: AFL Photos via Getty Images.

“You never go into it expecting these sort of things (to win the award). On a personal level I felt that I had a nice consistent season but it’s always very humbling to be recognised,” she said.

“I had a little taste out of it (AFLW) straight out of the hockey program with North Melbourne in 2019 and was delisted from there.

“To be on the list this year and then be ruled out with an ACL injury is disappointing. Having seen the program grow for five or so years then to be picked in the AFLW team and not get to run out alongside them in that first year is hard.

“Now it’s just focusing on the recovery and seeing what happens next year.

“If I got another opportunity to run out with Essendon in the AFLW that would be very nice.”

Georgia Nanscawen and coach Brendan Major. Photo: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Despite the interruptions of the last two years, Nanscawen said she never refused to give up on her dream of a second chance at the top level.

“In the end the team success is what we all strive for and it was such a great year,” she said.

“After those Covid disrupted seasons, the fire was in the belly to just get back out there and enjoy playing football again and being around the people you care about and like being around.

“It was nice to be able to get out there and have a full season.

VFL and VFLW stars go back-to-back

Werribee’s Tom Gribble and Essendon’s Georgia Nanscawen have written themselves into the history books.

Gribble was named the J.J. Liston Trophy winner for the second successive VFL season after taking out the 2019 award.

The star onballer finished the count on 30 votes, eight clear of Southport duo Boyd Woodcock and Jacob Dawson, after polling in 12 games including eight best on ground performances.

He is the first Werribee player in history to win the award multiple times.

The Big W co-captain averaged 33.2 disposals, 13.8 contested possessions, 7.3 clearances, 4.3 tackles and 5.6 inside 50s throughout the season.

Meanwhile Nanscawen, who won the 2021 Lambert-Pearce Medal, stormed away to win the VFLW best and fairest with 33 votes, 13 clear of her nearest challenger Hawthorn’s Tamara Luke.

Tom Gribble in action for Werribee.

Georgia Nanscawen in action for Essendon.

The award capped a remarkable riser for the former Hockeyroo who was the Bombers’ first AFLW signing and co-captained the club to the VFLW premiership.

Nanscawen was also named the VFLW Coaches MVP.

In other awards, Southport star Dawson took home the Coaches MVP for the VFL.

Port Melbourne defender Ethan Phillips was named the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell medallist for the most promising talent, under the age of 24, in the VFL.

Thalia Fellows from the Casey Demons was named the most promising VFLW talent, awarded the Debbie Lee Medal.

VFL life membership was awarded to Judith Elliott, Greg Pendlebury and Erica O’Donnell.

Werribee timekeeper Scott Bishop was presented the Alex Gillon Award (VFL Volunteer of the Year) and Darebin’s Julie Boffa (VFLW Volunteer of the Year) the Ann Rulton Award, which recognise club officials who have provided outstanding service to their club or football in general.

J.J. Liston Trophy top 10

Tom Gribble (Werribee) — 30 votes

Jacob Dawson and Boyd Woodcock (Southport) — 22

Rhys Mathieson (Brisbane) — 21

Lachlan Sullivan (Footscray) — 20

Paddy Dow (Carlton) and Will Fordham (Frankston) — 18

Luke Dunstan (Casey) and Brayden Fiorini (Gold Coast) — 16

Ryan Clarke (Sydney) — 15

Lambert-Pearce Medal top vote getters

Georgia Nanscawen (Essendon) — 33 votes

Tamara Luke (Hawthorn) — 20

Hannah Stuart (Southern Saints) and Matilda Zander (Collingwood) — 14