By Brent Diamond
FORMER Melbourne-listed midfielder Shane Valenti's hopes of resurrecting his AFL career have been boosted after he and North Ballarat on-baller Stephen Clifton were named joint winners of the J. J. Liston Trophy in the VFL at Etihad Stadium last night.
Clifton and Valenti were locked on 20 votes for the VFL's highest individual honour at the end of a dramatic count - in which both fended off Box Hill Hawk Ed Curnow, who led the count until his season-ending leg injury in round 13.
Curnow, a former Adelaide rookie, finished third on 13 votes, ahead of Gold Coast teenager David Swallow (12).
Valenti led by two votes heading into the final round. While he failed to secure a vote, Clifton collected two votes to tie.
Valenti, 23, starred with Port Melbourne after being delisted last season after three years on the Demons' list.
The strong-bodied midfielder also finished runner-up for the award to Geelong's James Byrne in 2007 and finished in the top 10 last season.
Clifton, meanwhile, was a hot favourite for the award and has received strong interest from AFL clubs since his rise in the ranks of reigning premier North Ballarat.
■ The VFL last night announced both preliminary finals would be held at Box Hill City Oval after concerns over the playing surface at Port Melbourne's TEAC Oval. Williamstown will play Northern Bullants on Saturday and North Ballarat will play Box Hill Hawks on Sunday.
The grand final will be played on Sunday, September 19 at Etihad Stadium.