Jarryd Lyons’ rollercoaster season and footy profession has taken an uplifting flip, with the Brisbane Lions midfielder claiming the VFL’s high particular person honour after a dramatic vote depend.
Lyon on Monday evening was topped the 2023 J.J Liston Trophy winner, polling 26 votes from 14 video games to win by two votes from Southport star Boyd Woodcock.
Werribee ball magnet Tom Gribble and Port Melbourne’s Lachie Sullivan completed in equal-third spot on 21 votes. Gribble fell 5 votes wanting turning into a three-time Liston Trophy winner.
Watch each match of the 2023 Toyota AFL Finals Collection earlier than the Grand Closing Stay & Advert-Break Free Throughout Play on Kayo Sports activities. Be a part of now and begin streaming immediately >
Struggling to cement his spot in Brisbane’s AFL group this season, Lyons performed 14 VFL dwelling and away video games this season — and ended up polling votes in 11 of them.
Lyons kicked 9 objectives and averaged 33 disposals, eight clearances, eight rating involvements and 5 tackles in the course of the dwelling and away season. He amassed 30 or extra disposals 13 instances, together with three 40-plus disposal outings.
Lyons couldn’t attend the VFL/VFLW awards evening in-person as Brisbane prepares for an AFL preliminary remaining towards Carlton, so he was offered the Liston medal by Lions soccer boss Dany Daly by way of video hyperlink.
“It’s an honour to just accept this award, it was just a little surprising, however the VFL has performed a large half in my household for a few years,” Lyons mentioned.
“I’d wish to thank my household, my spouse and children, my dad was truly an ’85 premiership participant with Sandringham so this implies loads.”
After taking part in 55 video games for Adelaide, Lyons was traded to the Gold Coast Suns earlier than being sensationally delisted after simply two seasons on the membership.
He then rapidly established himself as a ball magnet at Brisbane, culminating in choice within the All-Australian squad in 2021.
Lyons has performed simply two video games in 2023 – 5 because the beginning sub – however is an opportunity to characteristic towards the Blues on Saturday evening.
The 31-year-old turned the primary participant in Brisbane Lions/Bears historical past to win a state league finest and fairest when the membership has had a group competing within the AFL reserves, QAFL, NEAFL and VFL competitions.
“To win a league finest and fairest in any competitors is a big achievement and to take action with out taking part in each recreation makes Jarryd’s achievement much more spectacular,” Daly mentioned.
“Jarryd’s drive and professionalism was highlighted all through the season as he constantly carried out week after week.
Docherty to play regardless of dislocation | 00:33
“He labored extremely onerous this yr and for him to be rewarded with the J.J Liston Trophy could be very becoming and one thing he needs to be very happy with, as a result of we’re.”
Lyons earlier within the evening was named within the centre within the 2023 VFL Staff of the 12 months, which was captained by Sullivan. Werribee and the Gold Coast Suns, who’ll face off within the grand remaining this Sunday, had 4 representatives every within the facet.
Werribee defender Sam Clohesy claimed the Fothergill-Spherical-Mitchell medal because the VFL’s finest younger rising expertise. Fifteen of the final 16 winners of the award have then been drafted by an AFL membership — together with 20-year-old Clohesy’s Werribee coach Michael Barlow. Big Jake Riccardi, Fremantle’s Josh Corbett, Melbourne’s Bayley Fritsch, Fremantle’s Luke Ryan, Carlton’s Nic Newman and Richmond’s Kane Lambert have additionally claimed the identical award.
There was a three-way tie within the VFLW’s high particular person award, with Field Hill Hawks teammates Jordan Mifsud and Akayla Peterson and Geelong Cats midfielder Charlotte Simpson all claiming the 2023 Lambert-Pearce Medal.
