Lions.com.au takes a look at the players who might feature prominently at the Brisbane Lions’ annual Club Champion dinner, which is being held on Saturday 12 September at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.
MERRETT-MURRAY MEDAL
The Merrett-Murray Medal, awarded to the Brisbane Lions’ best and fairest player at the annual Club Champion dinner, is named after Roger Merrett and Kevin Murray who were icons of the Bears and Fitzroy respectively.
Merrett, inducted into the Lions Hall of Fame in 2014, is not only the Bears’ games and goals record-holder, but his seven seasons as Brisbane’s Captain is the equal third longest rein in the Club’s combined history – behind only Legends Michael Voss (10 years) and Murray (eight years).
Murray is one of only three official Lions Legends – along with Voss and Haydn Bunton – and holds the all-time Club record for most senior matches played with 333. He boasts an equal VFL/AFL record nine best and fairest awards with Fitzroy – which is three times the amount won by recently retired Lions champions (and future Hall of Fame Legends) Simon Black and Jonathan Brown.
Tom Rockliff (in 2011 and again in 2014) is the only active player on the Lions’ list to have previously taken home the Club’s highest individual honour.
THE CONTENDERS
DAYNE BEAMS
Beams was outstanding for the Lions during his 16 matches before season-ending shoulder surgery.
He averaged 28 disposals (13 contested) and 6.5 clearances despite playing in a midfield often missing some of its best players through injury.
The 25-year old Collingwood recruit won the Copeland Trophy in 2012 and is almost a certainty to take out the award on Saturday night.
MITCH ROBINSON
Robinson was delisted by the Blues in 2014 and has repaid the Lions in spades.
The 26-year-old has played half-forward and midfield and led the way with his fearless attack.
For his 21 games this season he has averaged 20.8 disposals and 6.76 tackles that could make for a tight finish.
STEFAN MARTIN
Regarded as one of the League’s best big men over the past 12 months, Martin has averaged 32.5 hit outs and 21 disposals from 20 matches in 2015.
He has been the Lions’ sole ruckman for the majority of the season with Leuenberger missing with injury.
ALLEN CHRISTENSEN
Christensen has played every match this season despite pre-season back surgery.
He had a season high 31 possessions in Round 10 against GWS.
The 24-year old premiership player from Geelong has averaged 20 disposals and a goal a game and is likely to feature right in the mix.
DAYNE ZORKO
A Queenslander, Zorko, has averaged a career-best 22.95 disposals per game this season, including a season high 38-disposals against Adelaide in Round 21.
Though Zorko hasn’t been quite as productive compared to previous years in front of goals, he still finished with 18.
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