Geelong midfielder George Stevens and outgoing Frankston captain Trent Mynott have shared the VFL's JJ Liston Trophy.
In a thrilling count on Monday night at Crown Palladium, Port Melbourne's Ben Hobbs and Southport's Jacob Dawson topped the count with 26 and 25 votes respectively, but both were ineligible due to suspension.
Stevens and Mynott each finished with 22 votes ahead of Mid-Season draftee Joel Fitzgerald who was third with 20 votes.
Stevens averaged 31 disposals and five tackles from Geelong's VFL midfield this year, but only managed to break in for two AFL games.
"George personifies what it means to invest in the team and has got rewards off the back of that," Cats VFL coach Mark Corrigan told Zero Hanger.
"While putting his best foot forward to play AFL football, he's been enormous for us all year. He's someone from a character point of view who cares about people and invests in people, and he's got no ego. He comes back and plays his role and cares about the people around him and has just been super consistent."
Selected in the 2023 rookie draft, the big-bodied midfielder is out of contract and has played just four games across three seasons at Geelong despite setting a high benchmark for himself at state league level.
"He's Monday to Friday and leaves no stone unturned to get the best out of himself, and he's taken another step forward in his footy this year and has been a big part of our consistency," Corrigan added.
The Cats will face off against Box Hill in the VFL Grand Final on Sunday.
Mynott, meanwhile, will return to local level in 2027 for Mornington with the VFL best and fairest capping off a terrific career at state league level.
Mynott has skippered the Dolphins since 2023, playing 83 of his 126 VFL games at the club.
"Since joining Frankston, Trent has been instrumental in the success both on and off the field," Frankston said in a statement on social media last month.
"His signing in 2023 signalled an important milestone for the club, one which showed his commitment to the club and desire for the club to improve and be a force within the VFL.
"We would like to thank Trent for his immense contribution to the club and wish him and his fiancée, Anna, all the best as they enter the next stage of their lives."
