The First J. J. Liston Trophy: Silver-plated Cup, engraved on front 'Victorian Football Association, J.J. Liston Cup, Best and Fairest, Won By, E. Beard, 1945', on bakelite base, an impressive 53 cm tall;, together with another trophy awarded to E. Beard, a silver-plated cup, on bakelite base with silver plaque engraved 'Victorian Football Association 2nd 18, Pres by Angus Mcdonell J.P, to Best and Fairest Player 1938, E. Beard, Oakleigh F.C.', 36 cm tall, the J. J. Liston Trophy is awarded to the best and fairest senior player in the Victorian Football League (formerly the VFA), the VFA awarded the Recorder Cup from 1923 to 1941, and also ran a different award known as the VFA Medal (which ran in parallel from 1933 to 1940). After a hiatus in 1942 to 1944 due to World War II, a best and fairest award was reintroduced in 1945 as the J. J. Liston Trophy, and has been awarded in the/VFL ever since, the award was named after John James Liston, who was president of the VFA from 1929 to 1943. Recent winners include James Byrne, Aaron Edwards, Paul Johnson and Sam Mitchell.