Upon taking to the stage as the 17th, and final, Hall of Fame inductee of the evening, Murray made a point of asking all the current Brisbane Lions players in attendance to stand up among the 900-strong crowd.
He then proceeded to make an impassioned plea to his fellow Lions.
“Be aware of what’s gone on tonight, because in years to come you could be part of this one day,” Murray said.
“Just leave your mark on this Club and give it all your best.”
They were stirring words from the Club’s most revered identity, which will no doubt resonate with the modern day Lions players for years to come.
Even on a night that was designed to honour his magnificent playing career, Murray preferred to acknowledge the work of others in helping him get to where he is today.
“I’ve had a lot of success in football - whether it’s at East Perth or Fitzroy - but I owe all of my successes to my team-mates who have played alongside me,” he said.
“But most of all, I would like to thank the supporters. Without your support, it wouldn’t have been possible to have achieved these things.”
Murray, who has been arguably the most influential individual in bringing the Club’s histories together post-merger, was thrilled with the Brisbane Lions’ latest Hall of Fame initiative.
“(Back when Fitzroy were struggling) I thought it (a merge) was the only future we had,” Murray said.
“It was certainly difficult to start with because some of the Brisbane Bears people didn’t like Fitzroy, and some of the Fitzroy people didn’t like the Bears.”
“But what those people have missed out on in time, is watching these outstanding players from the Brisbane Lions go on and become one of the truly great Clubs in the AFL.”
“It’s been a wonderful thrill for the Fitzroy people to be part of the Brisbane Lions.”
