Ex-AFL player rushed to hospital after choking during awards night
Monday’s Victorian Football League awards night had a moment of chaos, as a player was swiftly ushered out of the room and rushed to hospital after choking on a piece of chicken during the event.
Former North Melbourne player Miller Bergman had to be taken to hospital after food became lodged in his throat during the counting of the VFL’s JJ Liston Trophy award.
Miller Bergman playing for North Melbourne in 2024. Getty
Bergman was able to breathe, but threw up on the floor and was unable to get the food out of his throat.
Now playing for Casey, Melbourne’s VFL affiliate, he was helped out of the room by coach Rhett McLennan and assistant coach David Main. Both confirmed the bizarre situation to News Corp.
A VFL spokesperson confirmed to nine.com.au that Bergman is OK and recovering after the alarming moment.
Bergman played 16 games for North Melbourne between 2022 and 2025 after being selected with pick 38 in the 2021 draft.
He was delisted at the end of 2025 and elected to join Casey for the VFL season.
The JJ Liston Trophy is the VFL’s equivalent of the Brownlow Medal and was awarded to Frankston’s Trent Mynott, a former Essendon player, and Geelong midfielder George Stevens.
However, they actually finished tied third in the count. Port Melbourne midfielder Ben Hobbs, a former Essendon first-round draft pick, polled the most votes with 26, but was ineligible due to a suspension.
Southport’s Jacob Dawson was similarly ineligible and finished second with 25 votes. Stevens and Mynott won with 22.
Stevens is out of contract with the Cats and his AFL future remains up in the air.
