Black, 32, has signed a one-year deal, while also agreeing with the Club on performance benchmarks that, if achieved, will ensure an extension of the contract into 2013.
Black’s extension, which could see his Lions career enter a stunning 16th season in 2013, as well the retention of young guns Polkinghorne, Hanley and McKeever, is a fantastic outcome for the Club as it continues to build for the future.
It is hoped the new deal will likely see Black finish his career at the Lions.
“I’ve been here at the Lions for 14 years and I’m thrilled to get the chance to finish my career at the one Club,” said Black, the three-time Club Champion and 2002 Brownlow Medallist.
“This place is home to me, and I’m really looking forward to helping the Club fight its way back up the ladder in 2012 and put a couple of disappointing years behind us.
“I’ve seen the improvements and changes in the Club over the past 12 months and it’s certainly exciting times ahead. I want to play my role in getting this team back into the finals and that is certainly helped when players like Polkinghorne, Hanley and McKeever are also re-signing with the Lions.
“It shows good times are ahead if we keep working hard together.”
Despite recent commentary suggesting otherwise, the Lions and Black were always hopeful of achieving this contract extension outcome, with the performance benchmarks mutually agreed to by both Black and the Club.
While the Club has a one-year contract policy for players over 30, the policy permits the Lions Board to approve variances, under exceptional circumstances.
The Board was of the strong belief that Black’s situation was an exceptional circumstance given his excellent 2011 form, where he finished second in Club Champion voting, his injury management and his loyalty to the Club.
Capping a fantastic day for the Club, rising stars Polkinghorne, Hanley and McKeever, all 22, also extended their Lions careers with new deals.
Click here to see some of Blacky's highlight from another stellar season in 2011
SIMON BLACK
Black, who has missed just seven games through injury in the last 11 years, and played all 22 games this year, recorded his highest ever average possession count in 2011.
He will now have the opportunity to reach his 300th career AFL appearance in the early stages of 2012 having made his Lions debut in the opening round in 1998.
Black would potentially join Fitzroy great Kevin Murray (333 games) and Marcus Ashcroft (318 games) as only the third player in the merged Club’s history to reach that historic milestone.
JAMES POLKINGHORNE
Polkinghorne, taken at No.41 in the 2007 AFL draft, was one of only five Lions players who played all 22 games for the Club in 2011, bringing him to a total of 61 games in his four seasons with the Lions.
The small forward and occasional midfielder finished 19th in the 2011 Club Champion and has been touted by Senior Coach Michael Voss as a key ingredient in the nucleus of “Generation Next”.
PEARCE HANLEY
Hanley, currently in camp with the Irish International Rules team, had his ‘breakout’ year with the Lions in 2011, playing in all 22 games and providing outstanding run and carry across half-back.
He achieved career-best figures most weeks, including a 30-possession effort against Geelong at the Gabba in Round 17 - and this consistent effort earned him a top-five Club Champion finish at the 2011 awards night.
NIALL MCKEEVER
The towering McKeever, also from Ireland, has been retained as an international rookie after playing the final 10 games of the season following his AFL debut against Fremantle in Round 14.
In an injury-plagued year for the Lions, McKeever was handed his chance as a tall defender in the absence of key position players Daniel Merrett and Brent Staker, and rose magnificently to the occasion.
LIST CHANGES
The Lions today also made additional changes to their list in preparation for the AFL draft period.
Defender Tom Collier has been delisted after 27 games for the Club. The Lions would like to wish Tom and all other departing players the very best for their futures and sincerely thank them for the contributions they made to the Club.
Meanwhile, Mitch Golby will be elevated from the rookie list to the primary list for the 2012 season.
All players are on annual leave at present but will be available to the media when pre-season training commences on November 7.
A full media schedule for that week, which will include a training camp on the Sunshine Coast, will be issued next week.
INS FOR 2012
Ben Hudson (trade - Western Bulldogs)
Jordan Lisle (trade - Hawthorn)
Dayne Zorko (trade - Gold Coast)
OUTS FOR 2012
Matt Austin (delisted)
Donald Barry (delisted)
Jamie Charman (retirement)
Mitch Clark (Melbourne)
Xavier Clarke (delisted)
Tom Collier (delisted)
Broc McCauley (delisted)
Bart McCulloch (delisted)
Luke Power (GWS Giants)
NATIONAL DRAFT
The Brisbane Lions will have selections 8, 12, 30, 47, 69, 88 in the 2011 AFL National Draft.
