Liston Trophy winner Ben Ross says he “won’t let it slip” if he is given a second chance in the AFL. 83486_11 Picture: DAMIAN VISENTINI
By ADEM SARICAOGLU
TWELVE months ago, 2012 Liston Trophy winner Ben Ross received news no AFL player wants to hear.
In his fourth year at North Melbourne, Ross never donned the blue and white stripes and was delisted by year’s end.
Just days later, he put that pain aside and was best on ground for Werribee with four goals in a VFL semi final win over Casey.
Despite its connections to North Melbourne, the 23-year-old stayed with Werribee for 2012, and since then he has become one the league’s elite midfielders.
“It’s humbling to win this award,” Ross said after receiving his Liston.
“So many great players have won it in the past and I’m very honoured to win it.”
Ross won last week’s count by just one vote after being named on the wing in the VFL team of the year earlier in the night.
Halfway through the count Ross shared the lead with Port Melbourne star and hot favourite John Baird, but after a three-vote performance in round 20 against North Ballarat, Ross snuck home to win the VFL’s highest individual honour.
Polling in eight of his 17 games, Ross was able to produce consistent football for the first time in his career.
Injuries stifled his time with the Kangaroos, where he could only manage 14 games spread over the first three years of his tenure.
Ross says he knew his fate before North made the delisting official.
“It was pretty gut-wrenching,” he said.
“I saw it coming but you can never really prepare for it.
“But that’s life, that’s football.
“Werribee was still in the finals and I felt very much a part of that team and they welcomed me in, so I was really just aiming to help them find success.”
To suggest Ross has repaid the faith Werribee had shown in him is an understatement. Just ask his coach, Scott West.
“I think he’s shown faith in the club, to be more honest,” West said.
“He had a decision to make, whether he went and played at another VFL club or stay with the club he was aligned to with the Kangaroos.
“That would have maybe been a little bit of a difficult decision – but he made a great decision and he’s reaping the rewards.”
James Podsiadly was the last Werribee Tiger to win the Liston back in 2008.
Just three years later, Geelong’s key forward star was an AFL premiership player.
Asked if Ross could follow in Podsiadly’s footsteps and still have something to offer on an AFL list, West was strong with his endorsement.
“I do believe that. I think he’s certainly got all the attributes, he’s got the want to do it (and) he’s got the will to do it,” West said.
“You get players that have AFL experience that come back and really show the professionalism (that is needed) to play really good, consistent footy.
“He reaped the reward tonight, and I really hope that he gets that next opportunity.”
