Liam Anthony has narrowly missed out on winning the VFL’s best and fairest after being pipped at the post in the final round.

Anthony and Box Hill’s Alex Woodward were locked on 17 votes with one game to play. While the 26-year-old failed to poll, Woodward was judged best-on-ground and took out the award with 20 total votes.

The North Melbourne midfielder had the lead in the JJ Liston Medal after Round 17 with a best-on-ground effort against Coburg but couldn’t hold on.

Anthony managed just four games of AFL this season but his VFL highlights were outstanding and included:
Round 3: 24 disposals, 5 tackles
Round 4: 33 disposals, 7 tackles, 1 goal
Round 5: 26 disposals 1 goal
Round 7: 30 disposals, 9 clearances, 11 tackles
Round 8: 21 disposals, 2 goals
Round 11: 32 disposals, 7 clearances
Round 14: 35 disposals, 8 clearances
Round 15: 28 disposals, 6 tackles, 11 clearances
Round 17: 36 disposals
Round 18: 25 disposals, 13 tackles, 10 clearances
Round 19: 31 disposals, 9 marks

Meanwhile North Melbourne development coach and Werribee captain Jarred Moore was named in the VFL team of the year. He also finished equal 10th in the Liston trophy with 10 votes.

LISTON TROPHY TOP 10: A Woodward (Box Hill Hawks) 20, L Anthony (North Ballarat) 17, T Campbell (Fotscrayc Bulldogs) 15, T Pinwill (Port Melbourne) 14, S Clouston (Williamstown) 14, M Wooffindin (Port Melbourne) 13, A Marcon (Williamstown) 12, C Cain (Port Melbourne) 11, M Gawn (Casey Scorpions) 10, B Duscher (Essendon) 10, L Jong (Footscray Bulldogs) 10, J Moore (Werribee Tigers) 10, B Jolley (Williamstown) 10.