From the Herald-Sun
Reported by Sam Landsberger
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DEAN Towers. Heard of him? Probably not. But if history is any guide you can lock the 22-year-old in for a promising AFL career destined to materialise come this year's draft.

The jet from North Ballarat took home the VFL’s Rising Star award on Monday night, and a quick glance at the honour roll exemplifies how highly rated the award should be regarded.

Last year’s winner? A kid called Ahmed Saad who quickly developed into one of the stories of 2012 as he cemented his place in the St Kilda forward line much faster than his 30-step set-shot approach.

The year before? Michael Hibberd, a staple in Essendon’s half-back line.

In 2009? A dashing Werribee midfielder named Michael Barlow, who somehow slipped through to Fremantle in the rookie draft before debuting in Round 1 in Brownlow medal form.

From www.vfl.com.au
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Werribee Tigers recruit Ben Ross has been named the 2012 Peter Jackson VFL Liston Trophy winner. Ross won the competition best and fairest award by one vote from Casey Scorpions Melbourne listed midfielder Tom Couch, and was two votes ahead of Port Melbourne Captain John Baird announced at the Liston Trophy awards night at Etihad Stadium on Monday night.

Delisted by North Melbourne just 12 months ago, 23 year old Ross has shown the VFL competition what he is still capable of, becoming the fifth Werribee player to claim the VFL'€™s top honour. He joins Anthony Eames (1991), Paul Satterley (95), Michael Frost (98) and current Geelong player James Podsiadly (08) as Liston Trophy winners, polling in eight of a possible 18 matches and judged best a field five times this year.

Ross polled his best on ground games against Geelong (Rd 5), Coburg Tigers (Rd 7), Collingwood (Rd 10), Casey Scorpions (Rd 14) and North Ballarat (Rd 20).

From www.localfooty.com.au
Reported by Luke D'Anello
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WERRIBEE booked its ticket to the VFL preliminary final after eclipsing minor premier Casey Scorpions by 18 points in a low-scoring war of attrition on Sunday.

Heavy winds meant the contest at Casey Fields was not exactly eye-catching, but it was Scott West's Tigers who prevailed, 6.10 (46) to 3.10 (28).

Werribee has now earned a week's rest and will next tackle either Geelong or Box Hill for a spot in the decider.

The Tigers trailed by 10 points at quarter-time after a slow start, but gradually rediscovered their mojo.

Werribee kicked the only three goals of the second term to take a nine-point lead into the main break.

From www.localfooty.com.au
Reported by Paul Amy
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IN the end, class told, as it invariably does in football.

Brimming with energy and enthusiasm, Sandringham made a bold start to its VFL elimination final against Box Hill at a sun-soaked Trevor Barker Oval on Saturday.

But when the Hawks slipped into a higher gear, the Zebras were left lagging, though their effort was never in doubt.

The visitors kicked the last three goals of the second term to level the scores at half time, then the first four of the third, a show of strength and a match-winning burst. The eventual margin was 30 points.

A glance of the teams in the curtain-raiser underlined the enormity of Sandringham's task.

The Box Hill reserves contained players of the calibre of Jarrad Boumann, Beau Muston, Danny Hughes and Rennie Gilchrist, a flaunting of riches.

From www.localfooty.com.au
Reported by Luke D'Anello
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GENERATION next led Williamstown to a 12-point win against Bendigo in the VFL elimination final at North Port Oval on Saturday.

The Seagulls held a five-goal advantage at three-quarter time but survived a late charge from Gold to claim an 11.17 (83) to 10.11 (71) victory.

Young guns Jack Charleston, Stephen Witkowski and Jack Frost embraced the pressure-packed atmosphere of a final, the trio producing a display which belied their years in the defensive half.

"They had to do a power of work for us, our defenders, and I thought the young boys really stood up," Williamstown coach Peter German said. "Ever since he (Charleston) has come in to the side, the last six or seven weeks, he's been terrific. He's been one our best defenders on a weekly basis."

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 8
Development League 1st Preliminary Final
Williamstown vs Coburg Tigers at Casey Fields 11am
VFL 1st Semi Final
Casey Scorpions vs Williamstown at Casey Fields 2:10pm (ABC1TV,VFL Radio-Aussie Digital)

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 9
Development League 2nd Preliminary Final
Werribee vs Box Hill Hawks at Casey Fields 11am
VFL 2nd Semi Final
Geelong vs Box Hill Hawks at Casey Fields 2:10pm (ABC1TV,3WBC,VFL Radio-Aussie Digital)

From The Sunday Age
Reported by Brent Diamond
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VETERAN Port Melbourne skipper John Baird will be the backbone to its finals campaign against Geelong in a qualifying final today, then tomorrow night he is favoured to take out the prestigious J.J. Liston Trophy for the VFL's best and fairest.

If Baird wins the coveted award, he may have to fend off teammate Shane Valenti in the count; a proven vote getter who is a solid chance to create history for his third consecutive Liston after yet another consistent season.

The 2009 Liston winner, North Ballarat's Myles Sewell, is also tipped to finish high in the pecking order after a top season at the Roosters, lifting his name back into calculations for another shot at the AFL draft.

Advertisement Rarely does a footballer in the twilight of his career - in which he played 46 games at North Melbourne - dominate in such a way that Baird has this season.

From The Sunday Age
Reported by Brent Diamond
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THE Box Hill Hawks proved that they're not just making up the numbers after upsetting Sandringham by 30 points in an elimination final at Trevor Barker Beach Oval yesterday.

The Hawks' forward set-up had their most dangerous look for the season with Adam Pattison, Broc McCauley and Max Bailey all floating as the big targets with exciting goal sneaks Amos Frank and Derick Wanganeen at their feet.

McCauley finished with four goals, while Xavier Ellis kicked two crucial goals in the final term to stem the tide as the Zebras continued to hunt down the lead.

Advertisement Luke Andrews continued his super season and is perhaps Box Hill's biggest hope of continuing its success of breeding players into the AFL. He finished with 25 touches, while Tom Schneider was also brilliant with 27 touches.