Geelong young gun, Frankston skipper share honours in 2026 JJ Liston Trophy

Retiring Frankston captain Trent Mynott and Geelong powerhouse George Stevens shared the 2026 J.J. Liston Trophy on a dramatic Monday night at the Crown Palladium.

Port Melbourne star Ben Hobbs polled three votes in the last game to finish on 26 and top the count, only to be ineligible due to a suspension incurred on club debut in Round 1.

Amazingly, he overtook Southport champion and reigning Liston medallist Jacob Dawson (25), who was also ineligible after a striking suspension in Round 2 – possibly the first time the top players in the vote count were both unable to win, and the first time it has happened since Port’s Jeremy Clayton did it in 2003.

It left Mynott, who has signed with MPFNL club Mornington for next season, to top the official count on 22 votes despite nursing a broken wrist throughout the second half of the season that will require surgery this week and a calf injury that ended his season in Round 18 with averages of 26.8 disposals, six marks and 5.6 clearances plus 17 goals.

Stevens flew home to join him on 22 with five votes in the last two games, capping a season that has seen him average 30.6 disposals, eight clearances and five tackles in 18 games while kicking 13 goals.

Williamstown revelation Joel Fitzgerald finished third with 20 votes in just nine games before being taken by Melbourne in the mid-season draft and playing out the year in the AFL.

Seagull Emily Eaves claimed the VFLW’s Lambert-Pearce Medal, finding another level after finishing in the top five for the past three seasons.

A Swans Academy graduate, Eaves, who has won the past three Williamstown best and fairests, polled 21 votes to finish over the top of 2024 winner Dom Carbone, who picked up 16 before being promoted onto Collingwood’s AFLW list and finished with 18, while Carlton’s Hannah Scott (17) finished third.

The VFL Team of the Year was also announced on Monday night.

The VFL Grand Final between Geelong and Box Hill is set for this Sunday, with IKON Park hosting the final fixture at 2:05pm AEST.