Geelong’s young midfielder decided he must have been up for a few votes in the J.J. Liston Trophy vote count after Geelong's VFL Operations Manager insisted him being there.

However, the humble 20-year-old, Jordan Schroder, had no idea he was going to leave the evening with a medal around his neck, especially after missing the second last game of the season.

In the third last round Schroder was sitting in fourth position and it was his last three-vote-performance in the home-and-away season that shot him up into equal first with Steve Clifton (North Ballarat) and Mitch Hallahan (Box Hill Hawks) on 17 votes.    

“Benny told me I had to go so I thought I was going to be up there but I didn’t think I had a chance to win it so I was very surprised at the end,” Schroder said.

“I didn’t play the second last game and the other boys were a fair way ahead so I thought that was me done but the in the last game I got the three votes which put me equal first so I was pretty happy with that.”

This year Schroder has improved immensely as a powerful young midfielder and he continues to play a pivotal role in the Cats VFL side. He says his main strength, which obviously stood out to this year’s voters, has been his consistent pressure on the ball, as well as his work in and around the goals.

“The ability to win my own ball around the stoppages, getting first use of the ball and dishing it out to my teammates, and going forward and kicking a couple of goals probably helps,” Schroder explained.

From here Schroder hopes to keep on perfecting his game and improving his speed around the centre.

“My aerobic capacity and my ability to spread away from the contest and make quicker decisions and get on the end of it with a bit more outside ball.”

Schroder says winning the Liston Trophy has helped to heighten his confidence as it confirms that he’s doing the right thing on the footy field. Although, he says he receives enough encouragement from his coaches and fellow teammates to help him build his self-esteem and better his play.   

“It does give you a little bit of confidence but I mainly just work off the coaches and players every day to get to know where you’re at and what you need to do, but yeah it gives me a little bit more confidence.”

This year Schroder would have liked more time in the ones but he understands that it’s a very tough list to make. However, he’s determined to secure a position in the Cats best 22 and he knows exactly what he needs to do to get there.    

“I was hoping to have a few more AFL games under my belt but it’s very competitive to get a spot, so I’m just doing what I can in the VFL. I guess I’ve got to put pressure on the older boys for a spot in the ones but it will come if I keep going hard in the VFL.”

“It has been my aim for the last couple of years (to make the ones) but it hasn’t worked out so hopefully next year if things go my way I can get a few more games in and try and cement a spot in the 22, which would be nice.

Since arriving at the club in 2011 Schroder concedes that Geelong’s winning culture has helped him to grow and develop as a player.

“I’ve matured a lot this year and starting to become more of a leader type, whereas before I was very quiet now I’m starting to speak a little bit more not too much but I’m getting there. And a winning environment is always good to be apart of and the twos are probably a big chance for the flag this year so it’s great to be playing with them.”

Geelong’s VFL, who will have a break after winning against Casey in Saturday’s qualifying final, will take on the winner from this week’s final between Williamstown and Port Melbourne in the Preliminary final.

Last year Geelong’s VFL side took the flag over Port Melbourne and Schroder doesn’t see why the young Cats can’t do it again this year.  

“All the boys know what’s expected this year if we go all the way again, we just need to keep doing what we’ve been doing all year. We’ve only lost two games and we’ve beaten everyone in the competition so it proves if we just keep doing what we’re doing we can beat who ever we come up against," Schroder said.