Courtesy Victorian Football League website

NORTH Ballarat midfielder Myles Sewell has added the prestigious JJ Liston Trophy to an already impressive CV.

Sewell, the younger brother of Hawthorn premiership player Brad, stormed home over the final four rounds to capture the VFL’s highest individual honour when the vote count was conducted at Etihad Stadium.

The 21-year-old collected 18 votes to win the Liston by two votes from Werribee midfielder Michael Barlow, who earlier in the month was named the Fothergill Round Medallist.

Geelong’s VFL captain James Podsiadly, who won the Liston Trophy last year, deadheated for third with Box Hill Hawks’ Sam Illes.

Sewell swept into contention when he picked up three votes in Round 14 and when he collected another best-on-ground performance in Round 17, he trailed Podsiadly by one vote.

He took the lead with a two-vote game in Round 19 and sealed his Liston Trophy victory with a further two votes in Round 20.

Barlow also finished the season with a flurry of votes. He collected two votes in Rounds 18 & 19 and then was named best-on-ground in Round 20 to take his vote tally to 16.

Sewell becomes only the second North Ballarat player to win the Liston Trophy. Former captain Julian Field won the 2004 Liston Trophy.

It caps an amazing couple of years for Sewell who captained TAC Cup club North Ballarat Rebels and won the club best and fairest in 2006.

He finished equal second in the TAC Cup Coaches award and fourth in the Morrish Medal in the same year.

Sewell played in the 2007 Coburg Tigers Reserves premiership before returning to North Ballarat last season where he played in all 23 games, including the Rooster’s first ever VFL premiership.

Given more of a midfield role this season, Sewell has relished the opportunity. He’s played every game again and is one of the pivotal players in the club’s push to win back-to-back flags.

Capping a memorable evening, Sewell was also named in the VFL Team Of The Year.

Sewell will play his 50th VFL game when North Ballarat will play Collingwood in the Preliminary Final at TEAC Oval on Saturday 19th September for a place in the Grand Final.

The other Preliminary Final will see Northern Bullants play Port Melbourne at TEAC Oval on Sunday 20th September.

The 2009 VFL Grand Final will be played on Friday, September 25 at Etihad Stadium.

2009 J.J. LISTON TROPHY FINAL LEADER BOARD:
Myles Sewell - North Ballarat (18)
Michael Barlow - Werribee (16)
James Podsiadly - Geelong (15)
Sam Iles - Box Hill Hawks (15)
Sam Dwyer - Port Melbourne (13)
Steve Kenna - Box Hill Hawks (11)
Brodie Moles - Geelong (11)
Stephen Clifton - North Ballarat (11)
Wayde Skipper - Williamstown (11)
Ben MacReadie* - Casey Scorpions (10)
Ryan McMahon - Port Melbourne (10)

NORTH MELBOURNE LISTED PLAYERS:
Josh Smith - North Ballarat (7)
Corey Jones - North Ballarat (3)
Lindsay Thomas - North Ballarat (3)
Aaron Edwards - North Ballarat (2)
Michael Wundke - North Ballarat (2)
Cruize Garlett - North Ballarat (1)
David Hale - North Ballarat (1)

Alan Obst - Werribee (6)
Todd Goldstein - Werribee (5)
Matt Riggio - Werribee (3)
Leigh Adams - Werribee (2)
Daniel Harris - Werribee (1)