NORTH Ballarat midfielder Nick Rippon has claimed the J.J. Liston Trophy for the best and fairest in the VFL, overtaking Richmond onballer Matt Thomas in the final round.

The 21-year-old, who trailed leader Thomas by two votes with one round remaining, won the medal with a three-vote performance against Coburg at Eureka Stadium.

Rippon finished the count on 15 votes, just one vote ahead of Thomas, North Ballarat's Myles Sewell, Sandringham's Clint Jones and Williamstown's Sam Dunell (14 votes apiece).

Rippon averaged 24 possessions in his 18 appearances for the Roosters this season and was named on the wing in the VFL's Team of the Year.

Hawthorn-listed ball-winner Jonathan Simpkin polled well with 13 votes, while North Melbourne-listed ruckman Daniel Currie was next best on 11 votes.

Meanwhile, Hawthorn's Sam Grimley and Richmond's Liam McBean were awarded the Frosty Miller Medal as the league's leading goalkicker in a three-way tie with Port Melbourne's Jordan Lisle on 42 goals.