But all were upstaged by Shaun Hart - a humble and unassuming Christian athlete from Shepparton who was awarded the Norm Smith Medal as the best afield in the biggest game of the year.
The helmet-wearing, muscle-bound left-footer produced a work rate that was second to none and was inspirational when he had the football in his hands. And he tackled and chased like a terrier when he didn’t.
Hart set the standard from the outset when he charged headfirst at Essendon Captain James Hird for a loose ball. They collided so hard that Hart’s helmet went cartwheeling through the air. But testament to his courage, he simply picked it up and went again.
Hart was listed at 60-1 with sports betting agencies to achieve the honour pre-game, but revelled in the contest, defying personal safety to throw himself at the ball whenever an opportunity arose.
He finished with 23 possessions - an equal game-high with skipper Michael Voss - and proved a popular, and deserved, winner.
“I couldn’t believe it. Someone told me out on the ground before the presentation to have a quick think about making a speech because I’d won the medal,” Hart said.
“I thought they were actually playing a nasty joke on me.”
But not one person at the Lions would ever underestimate the contribution Hart made both on that day and in 273 games with the Club.
Share your stories from the 2001 Grand Final and go into the draw to WIN tickets to the Brisbane Lions' Premiership Anniversary Dinner and Season Launch on Friday 18 March.
Simply CLICK HERE and explain - in 100 words or less - what made the Lions' 2001 premiership triumph so memorable for you.
Entries must be received before Wednesday 9 March with the winner to be notified by Friday 11 March.
For more information about the Premiership Anniversary & Season Launch event, please click here
