The Club's Victorian Office is hosting a major Lion Loyalist Luncheon: Leigh Matthews Tribute on Friday 7 August followed by a Lions Lounge match coterie for the Lions v Essendon blockbuster at the MCG on Saturday night 8 August.
We've dubbed this 'dynamic double-header' the Lions Lethal Weekend and have packaged it up for corporates, members and supporters who would like to attend both or either football events.
To share the excitement leading up to this big weekend, we will be presenting some of Leigh Matthews' Lethal Moments from our Club's history each week...
LETHAL MOMENT #5. Back-to-back success (2002)
On the back of the Club’s history-making first premiership, ‘Lethal’ guided the Lions to back-to-back premierships in 2002. Coincidentally, Matthews and his chargers defeated Collingwood - the team he coached to its drought-breaking flag back in 1990.
The Lions entered the match as hot favourites after losing only five matches throughout the regular season and having won both their earlier Finals by a combined margin of 127 points.
However, a tight contest against the eager Magpies ensued on a rain soaked MCG and the margin never exceeded single figures. In the dying minutes, Matthews famously instructed Brownlow Medallist Jason Akermanis to stand in front of full-forward Alastair Lynch which ultimately produced the match-winning goal.
The Lions won the match by nine points and secured their second consecutive premiership.
LETHAL MOMENT #6. Lions achieve an historical three-peat (2003)
After losing the second Qualifying Final to Collingwood, the Lions bounced back to reach their third consecutive Grand Final - but did it the hard way with Finals wins over
The Lions had once again booked a date with the Magpies in the premiership decider, however this time it was Collingwood who entered the match favoured to win the flag.
However, Matthews’ champs dominated from the outset and won the match by 50 points and hold aloft the premiership cup for the third straight season.
Want to meet the man behind these moments and hear about these events from Leigh Matthews first-hand?
Want to re-join your friends and colleagues the very next night to watch the Lions claw into the Bombers in style at the MCG as they battle to make their first Finals appearance since 2004?
Then please check out our Lions Lethal Weekend package flyer.
For booking and enquiries, please contact Andrew McLeish in the Lions Victorian Office:
Tel (direct):03 8850 5602 or 0412 865 555
Email:amcleish@lions.com.au
