The J.J. Liston Trophy and Lambert-Pearce Medal will be awarded tonight to the VFL and VFLW’s best and fairest player.

After a fast start, the Northern Blues finished the year with seven wins while the VFLW Blues had a season of development, with plenty of young faces showing promise in the Navy Blue.

We’ve taken a look at which players could poll well in the JJ Liston Trophy and Lambert-Pearce Medal voting.

The night will be livestreamed on the VFL website from 7pm.

J.J. Liston Trophy leading contenders  

Sam Fisher

Assuming the mantle as the Club’s go-to midfielder in the absence of Tom Wilson, Sam Fisher led the competition for total clearances while also being ranked No.1 at the Club for disposals and contested possessions. In his second season at Preston City Oval, Fisher built on a promising first campaign which saw him finish runner-up in the club’s best and fairest award last year. Having only dropped below the 20-disposal mark twice, the 21-year-old is likely to poll in a number of matches: in particular, his game against Port Melbourne which saw him collect 33 disposals, 13 clearances and a goal.

Hugh Goddard

Despite these kind of honours so often being referred to as “midfielders’ awards”, there can be no denying the impact which Hugh Goddard had on the Northern Blues this season. Taking 97 marks in 14 games (comfortably the most of any Blue), Goddard was a brick wall in defence for the Blues, and was particularly impressive in the Club’s wins at the beginning of the year. Named among his team’s best players on 10 occasions, look for Goddard to poll against North Melbourne in Round 5 (19 disposals, 10 marks) and Coburg in Round 10 (22 disposals, 12 marks).

Frank Anderson

A key recruit for the Blues on the eve of the season, Frank Anderson was quick to make an impression in the VFL. A star of the Eastern Football League, Anderson was named in his side’s best players in his first four games, proving himself as a midfielder who could shine in the attacking and defensive side of the game. Averaging just shy of 20 disposals across his 12 games, Anderson played the defensive tagging role while also doing the job offensively in wins against Collingwood and Port Melbourne.

Alex Fasolo

The recently retired Fasolo enjoyed a purple patch of VFL form in the middle of the season, transitioning to the midfield and proving to be a dangerous factor for opposition clubs. In a five-week block, Fasolo averaged 20 disposals and kicked eight goals as an outlet rotating between the midfield and forward lines. Despite a heavy defeat, Fasolo is also a slim chance to poll in Round 21 after kicking four goals in his final game against Sandringham.

Lambert-Pearce Medal leading contenders

Abbie McKay

McKay proved what she is capable of in the VFLW season after managing four games in her debut AFLW season. The daughter of Carlton great Andrew McKay averaged 15 disposals, 10 contested possessions and 3.5 clearances in her 12 games for the VFLW Blues. McKay’s best performance came against Darebin in Round 15, when she booted two final-quarter goals to seal an eight-point win for Carlton.

Jess Hosking

Hosking was one of Carlton’s most impressive leaders throughout the season, showcasing her versatility by playing in defence. Hosking has been known for her skills in the midfield but was able to highlight her ability to make an impact down back. The 23-year-old averaged 17 disposals, eight uncontested possessions, five tackles and 3.5 rebound 50s from her 11 games this season.

Madison Prespakis

Prespakis only played six games for the season but racked up stellar numbers in each performance to count herself as a chance for the main award. Carlton’s reigning AFLW Best & Fairest averaged 22 disposals, 15.5 kicks and five tackles for the season, including playing a crucial part in the Blues’ first 2019 VFLW win against the Western Bulldogs in Round 6. Prespakis collected more than 20 disposals in four of her six games for the year, with her best coming in Round 5 where she gathered 29 possessions.

Sarah Wright

In her first year as a VFLW Blue, Wright burst onto the scene, showcasing her skills in Carlton;s midfield and forward line. Wright is no stranger to winning awards, having won two straight competition Best & Fairests in 2017 and 2018. The former basketballer averaged 12 disposals, three tackles and was named in Carlton’s best players six times in her 13 outings for the season.