17 of the greatest players from Fitzroy, the Bears, and Brisbane Lions were immortalised in an exclusive group designed solely for those individuals who have had the most profound impact throughout the merged Club’s combine history.
Names such as Haydn Bunton, Kevin Murray, Garry Wilson, Paul Roos, Alastair Lynch, and Michael Voss were among the inaugural inductees that were duly recognised by a sold out event at Crown in Melbourne.
Another group of celebrated names will be added to the Hall of Fame on Wednesday 21 May 2014 when Brisbane hosts the second induction.
Book your tickets to the 2014 Hall of Fame event
The Hall of Fame selection committee – which consists of Chairman Graeme Downie, Robert Walls, Arthur Wilson, and Peter Blucher – have already gathered together early in the new year to commence lengthy discussions about who might be worthy of induction this time around.
The list of names won’t be finalised for another couple of months, but the early talks suggest that the process hasn’t become any easier.
Robert Walls – a former Fitzroy player, Fitzroy coach, and Bears coach – is well equipped with first-hand knowledge of potential candidates from the early 80s and 90s.
But even Walls is finding it difficult to narrow the highly credentialed field.
“Put it this way, there will be a lot of wonderful players who will be inducted the second time around, and there’s also plenty of wonderful players who will miss out,” Walls said.
“The history of the Club is enriched with quality players going back well over 100 years, so it doesn’t get any easier.
“I think it’s a wonderful process that Fitzroy and Brisbane have come together and their players are being acknowledged.
“It gives the supporters a chance to remember the good old days, and remember the days of only a decade ago when the Club was winning premierships. Supporters love that – and so do the players.
“Two years ago when they had the inaugural induction, all the players who were inducted made the effort to get there and they were so chuffed that they were being honoured in this way.
“It’s a real feel-good situation for everyone.
“We take it very seriously and put in a lot of hard work. We have a few arguments, but in the end I think we end up doing a pretty good job.”
Walls, who will spend most of 2014 living in France, was fortunately still able to take part in the selection process before departing.
“I’ll be overseas and I will miss the event,” he said.
“I remember two years ago it was a fantastic function that they had at Crown. This time it’s up in Brisbane and I’m sure that the Brisbane people will support it.
“They’ve been spoilt really with the wonderful players and success that the Lions have had up there.”
Arthur Wilson brings arguably the richest history to the table given his long association with Fitzroy.
Wilson has also played a key role with the Lions from day one of the merger, and remains in regular contact with many of the old ‘Royboys’. .
“It’s a very interesting exercise and there weren’t too many complaints from the first one we had,” Wilson said.
“I’m quite sure we’ll be successful again this time around in picking the right ones.”
