Those particular players will be recognised and celebrated on Saturday 10 September when the Lions host their annual Club Champion Dinner at the Brisbane Entertainment & Exhibition Centre.
The evening culminates in the presentation of the Merrett-Murray Medal to the team’s Best & Fairest player as voted by the Lions Match Committee.
The Merrett-Murray Medal itself is named in honour of former Club Captains Roger Merrett and Kevin Murray who both made a tremendous contribution to the merged Club's history with the Bears and Fitzroy respectively.
The Club Champion voting system rewards consistency, excellence, durability and team contributions - so it's appropriate that it is decided by those people who know the players' assigned roles best.
The Match Committee convene every Monday morning and give each player's performance a rating out of five - including half votes. The maximum five votes is given out very rarely and is generally reserved for faultless individual performances, while players who made little or no impact on a game can receive zero votes.
So it begs the question - “Which players will fight it out for the title of 2011 Club Champion?”
Simon Black can expect to feature prominently once again after another stunning season which has seen him average a career-high 27.4 disposals per game.
In fact, the champion midfielder is one of only five players to play every match in 2011 and ranks first at the Club in total disposals, handballs, clearances and goal assists.
Black already has three Merrett-Murray Medals in his extensive trophy cabinet and has also finished Runner-Up on four occasions - including in each of the past three seasons.
Should the 32 year-old claim his fourth Club Champion award, he will move ahead of Jonathan Brown and Norm Brown into outright 7th place on the all-time list of Club Best & Fairest winners (see table below).
While Black will likely be among the leading contenders, he can expect some serious competition from at least a handful of team-mates - including some who are relative newcomers to the Club Champion scene.
Jack Redden is one of the Lions' younger brigade who would be widely considered among the favourites to take out the Club’s highest individual honour.
Redden is a proven vote-winner having finished 5th in 2010 (in just his second AFL season) and has taken his game to a new level this year.
The 20 year-old has averaged a career-high 24.2 disposals and ranks inside the top three at the Club in most statistical categories including kicks (3rd), handballs (3rd), disposals (3rd), marks (2nd), tackles (1st) and clearances (3rd).
His rapid rise to stardom has been mirrored by good friend and team-mate Tom Rockliff who has been equally as impressive throughout 2011.
Although Rockliff missed two matches midway through the season with a calf complaint, he has been among the team’s best players each week and led by example out on the field.
Rockliff didn’t poll a vote during his debut season of 2009, but stormed home to finish 12th last year. He now looks certain of at least securing his first top ten finish.
Should either Rockliff or Redden poll the most votes, they will become the youngest Club Champion since a 20 year-old Michael Voss won the Bears’ Best & Fairest award back in 1995.
Ruckman Matthew Leuenberger can also stake claim to the highest prize after playing every match in 2011 and establishing himself as one of the game’s elite big men.
The West Australian’s second half of the season has been particularly impressive, so expect him to make a late charge.
Leuenberger shouldered the bulk of the Lions’ ruck load this season and has quickly become one of the team’s most important players - a fact that won’t be lost on the Match Committee.
The 23 year-old finished 9th last season - after a previous best placing of 27th - so can expect a career-best finish to his career-best season.
Another bolter is Irishman Pearce Hanley who has played in all 21 senior matches so far in 2011 after managing just 12 across his first three years.
Wearing his new ‘lucky’ Number 11 guernsey, Hanley has transformed himself into a quality rebounding defender with exceptional foot skills - particularly considering he grew up kicking a round ball.
Hanley leads the Club in rebound 50s and total marks, but also ranks 4th in total disposals. The former Gaelic player has never finished higher than 25th in the Club Champion voting.
While breakout seasons from Redden, Rockliff, Leuenberger and Hanley will see them among the night’s fancies, there are also some older heads who could cause an upset.
Vice-Captain Jed Adcock seems to have recaptured the same form from 2008 when he finished Runner-Up to skipper Jonathan Brown while Ash McGrath - who has enjoyed career-best Club Champion finishes in each of his past two seasons - seems to be getting better with age and will be looking to go one step closer in 2011.
Daniel Rich, James Polkinghorne and Todd Banfield should also poll well along with Mitch Clark who, despite suffering a few minor injuries, has been the Club’s leading goal-kicker this season.
And let’s not forget recently retired star Luke Power who has enjoyed quite a remarkable run of consistency on Club Champion night with eight consecutive finishes inside the top five.
Power’s decorated career will also be acknowledged and celebrated at the Club Champion event along with fellow premiership team-mate Jamie Charman who has also announced his retirement.
The evening will be the fiinal Club function for both players, as they begin the next stages of their lives after football.
Secure your place at this event by phoning 07 3335 1756 or email sales@lions.com.au
You can also download and complete a booking form online by clicking here
Brisbane Lions Club Champions (since 1997)
1997: Matthew Clarke
1998: Chris Scott
1999: Justin Leppitsch & Jason Akermanis
2000: Michael Voss
2001: Simon Black & Michael Voss
2002: Simon Black
2003: Michael Voss
2004: Nigel Lappin
2005: Jason Akermanis
2006: Simon Black
2007: Jonathan Brown
2008: Jonathan Brown
2009: Jonathan Brown
2010: Michael Rischitelli
Most Lions Best & Fairest Awards (all-time)
9 - Kevin Murray (1956, 1958, 1960-64, 1968, 1969)
5 - John Murphy (1968, 1970-71, 1973, 1977)
5 - Paul Roos (1985-86, 1991-92, 1994)
5 - Allan Ruthven (1944-46, 1948-49)
5 - Garry Wilson (1972, 1976, 1978-80)
5 - Michael Voss (1995-96, 2000-01, 2003)
3* - Simon Black (2001-02, 2006)
3* - Jonathan Brown (2007-09)
3 - Norm Brown (1965-67)
