That’s the dilemma facing the Brisbane Lions Hall of Fame Selection Committee who will convene in Melbourne this Friday to narrow down the field of potential candidates for the inaugural induction.
Given the number of high quality people who represented the Club throughout its 126 years of combined history, it will prove an incredibly tough task for selectors Graeme Downie (Chairman), Arthur Wilson, Peter Blucher and Robert Walls.
Walls, who played and coached with Fitzroy before eventually taking the reins at the Brisbane Bears, expects the selection process will be quite challenging.
“There’s a loose criteria that the Committee are working through at the moment to find a way to reach that number of 15 inductees - and you just have to look at some of those names to see how difficult a task it will be,” Walls said.
“I’ve had a good look at it already, and I’ve already got a list of 25 which will obviously have to get cut down.”
“I have a feeling there will be a mixture (of players both old and new).”
“I would like to think it would be a combination of Fitzroy greats from the past, and there’s certainly one player that I’ve got in mind for the Brisbane Bears. Then you’ve got to look very closely at the triple Premiership players of the Brisbane Lions.”
“Coaching will also come into it. So obviously Leigh Matthews would be a strong contender.”
“There are a lot of names there. Don’t forget that Fitzroy won eight Premierships and we shouldn’t forget those players who have since passed. They have a history that’s in black and white, and it’s wonderful they’ll be honoured.”
Walls believes the introduction of a Brisbane Lions Hall of Fame will prove worthy acknowledgement of the Club’s unique history.
“I think it’s exciting, we’re talking 126 years of history,” Walls said.
“When I heard that this was happening, it really gladdened my heart because there are a lot of people in the past that have put the current guys in the position they’re in now.”
While the Committee agree that it’s almost impossible to determine an overriding set of criteria to base their final decisions around, Walls revealed some of the achievements that will be given great consideration.
“We’ve had a couple of selection meetings, and while we haven’t confirmed an exact set of criteria, there are some honours we have identified as being important,” he said.
“Best and Fairests are important because they’re judged by people within the Club who know the value of the players.”
“We’ll also look closely at longevity, players who played 150, 200 or even 300 games, as well as Captaincy.”
“Then there’s players who were part of Premierships, which is obviously the ultimate prize everyone plays for.”
“There are a lot of things you have to look at, so you can’t simply construct one set of criteria because there are other things you have to look at as well.”
The inaugural Brisbane Lions Hall of Fame inductees will be revealed at a gala event in Melbourne held on Saturday 23 June at Crown Palladium.
Tickets are selling fast for the function, so be sure to get in early to avoid the potential disappointment of missing out. The Club is expecting a ‘sell out’.
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