HAWTHORN youngster Alex Woodward was last night crowned the VFL’s fairest and best player, winning the J.J. Liston Trophy.

Woodward won the medal with 20 votes, three clear of North Melbourne-listed North Ballarat player Liam Anthony after storming home in the final two rounds with two best on ground performances.

It is a remarkable story of resilience and perseverance from the young Hawk, who has already endured two knee reconstructions in his short career.

This season was his first full year after being drafted by the Hawks with pick 53 in the 2011 National Draft.

After an outstanding season with Box Hill where he averaged 23 disposals and six tackles per game, the 21-year-old final earned his senior debut in Round 18 of the AFL season.

He has played two senior matches for the Hawks this year.

After making a slow start in the voting – polling just four votes in the opening nine rounds – Woodward earned 16 votes from Round 10 onwards.

He was deemed best on ground four times, in rounds 13, 14, 19 and 20 and picked up two votes on three other occasions.

It was his performances in the last two rounds of the VFL season, however, that clinched victory after trailing Anthony by three votes after 17 rounds.

Woodward picked up the three votes in the final two games of the year in the 53-point win over Bendigo and the 129-point win over Northern Blues.

He picked up 29 disposals against Bendigo and 28 and two goals against the Blues.

His other standout performances were a 21-disposal effort against Essendon in Round 13 and 26 touches and 10 tackles in the narrow win over then league-leaders Footscray in Round 14.

Woodward’s win is the second straight season a Hawthorn-listed player has taken out the award, with young midfielder Mitch Hallahan the joint winner last year.