2016 is a momentous year for the Brisbane Lions. This year will see the Lions celebrate their third bi-annual Hall of Fame event, where past greats are recognised for their contribution to the Club and inducted into the Hall of Fame. It also marks 100 years since the Fitzroy Football Club reigned Premiers in 1916, and 60 years since Hall of Fame Legend Kevin Murray won the first of his record-breaking nine Best and Fairest awards.
To celebrate this momentous occasion, the team will don a custom designed Fitzroy-inspired commemorative Guernsey in their match against Richmond in Round 14 on Saturday 25th June. But they need your help choosing it.
The decision-making and deliberation behind this Guernsey design comes down to a number of factors and design variations, with three final guernsey options to decide from.
All three contending designs draw inspiration and their colour profile from the 1916 premiership era Fitzroy Guernsey, borrowing elements from both current and past Guernsey designs. Among the finer details, there is centennial tribute to Fitzroy’s 1916 VFL premiership, a badge immortalising Kevin Murray’s Best and Fairest success, and a Hall of Fame crest. Inscribed on the front and back yolk panels is the names of the Club’s previous 27 Hall of Fame inductees, as well as the latin quote “palmam qui meruit ferat”, meaning “let whoever earns the palm bear it”; a fitting motto for the Fitzroy Football Club who took seven VFL premiership titles by 1922, and more than any other club in the VFL.
With all these factors in mind, the Club is leaving the decision making in the hands of its loyal fans. We need your votes to ultimately determine which of the three proposed jumper designs you want to see Lions players wearing to commemorate the Hall of Fame for their Round 14 match against Richmond.
Option 1: 1916 ‘Lions’ Design
Based on our 1914 – 1932 uniform, this introduces the first ‘white’ lion featured in the centre of the Guernsey. Despite the interruptions from World War I, Fitzroy went on to win the 1916 Premiership against Carlton at the MCG.
Option 2: 1916 ‘Fitzroy’ Design
Based off the same uniform, with the traditional FFC monogram in place of the lion, this design celebrates a rich Fitzroy history. The design boasts a unique “Diamond (Jubilee)” watermark in the background as well as an added “100 years on” caption on the back hem commemorating the 1916 Premiership.
Option 3: 2016 Hybrid Design
Based on elements of the Guernsey worn in 1916 with a 2016 twist.
The design has a modern “flat line” yolk seen on the current home/away Guernsey, underpinned with traditional ties to the history of the Brisbane Bears Fitzroy Football Club. The subtle Fitzroy monogram on the left chest as well as the bold white lion in the centre signifies the journey of our great Club over more than 100 years of football.
Vote now!
Lions fans can vote NOW for which of these three Guernseys they would prefer to see the team wear in Round 14 against the Richmond Tigers. Voting closes at 5pm Wednesday 10 February 2016 (AEST), and the winning design will be announced on Friday 12 February 2016.
Pre-order
Want to own your own piece of history? Pre-orders can be placed for your own copy of the 2016 Hall of Fame Guernsey from 6th March 2016 via www.lionsshop.com.au or contacting the Lions Shop on (07) 3335 1712.
Your new Hall of Fame jumper will become available for collection from Monday 9 May 2016.
Hall of Fame
CLICK HERE to book in for the Brisbane Lions' Hall of Fame event in Melbourne.
