Former full-back Mal Michael’s match-worn 2001 Brisbane Lions Grand Final guernsey hangs proudly in his Melbourne home as a constant reminder of the Club’s remarkable period of success.

The Lions will commemorate the guernsey worn by Michael and his premiership teammates during this Saturday’s clash against Essendon at Etihad Stadium to further recognise the 10-year anniversary of the 3-Peat.

Michael maintains a special affinity towards the garment he wore in 140 matches with the Club.

“The jumper is a good throw-back to a great era,” Michael told lions.com.au.

“My 2001 premiership jumper is in a big frame along with the premiership medal and a photo from the day. It looks amazing.”

“I got it done not long after the Grand Final because when you win one, you never envision winning more than one. Then we won again in 2002, so I decided to hold off on getting any more framed up until we’d stopped winning. The other two jumpers are still just in my wardrobe, so I’ll look at getting them done individually.”

Michael said his most vivid memory from that period was the team’s unwavering self-belief.

“I remember prior to us winning the Grand Final, you’d travel over to Perth thinking that not many teams go over to Subiaco and win,” he said.

“But during that premiership period, we confidently got on the plane and, regardless of where we were going, knew that we were going to win. We had enormous self-belief.”

History shows that Michael represented a total of three clubs throughout his illustrious AFL career. Coincidentally, the other two happened to be the Lions’ Grand Final opponents between 2001 and 2003 – Collingwood (1997-2000) and Essendon (2007-08).
 
“I’ve never actually thought of that,” Michael said. “It’s quite amazing.”

“There were actually a lot of synergies between the three clubs during that time. It just so happens that they were coached by three of the most successful coaches of all time in Mick (Malthouse), Leigh (Matthews) and Sheeds (Kevin Sheedy).”

“My three skippers – (Michael) Voss, (Nathan) Buckley and (James) Hird – are also three of the greatest players to ever play the game.”