Lions.com.au takes a closer look at some of leading contenders for the prestigious Merrett-Murray Medal ahead of Friday night’s Club Champion awards dinner.

Check out who the Lions players are predicting will be crowned 2012 Club Champion

JED ADCOCK

Stats Wrap
Adcock finished in the top six at the Club in total disposals (404), marks (104), tackles (85), inside 50s (57), rebound 50s (81), one per centers (65), and goal assists (11).

Most Memorable Performance
Arguably Adcock’s best game was in the Lions’ season opener against Melbourne at the MCG, when he collected a season-high 29 disposals and took nine marks.

Club Champion History
Adcock has proven a genuine vote-getter on Club Champion night, with three top four finishes. His best result was back in 2007 when he was Runner-Up to Jonathan Brown.

The Case For
Adcock’s endeavour can never be questioned and he continued to be one of the team’s on-field leaders in 2012. He also missed just the one match, which means that he should poll regularly throughout the season.

The Case Against
Adcock’s team-first attitude meant that he often sacrificed his own game to ensure that his opponent was out of the action. That, however, could be a trait looked upon favourably by the Match Committee.


SIMON BLACK

Stats Wrap
Averaged more than 22 disposals per game for the 13th consecutive season, and ranked highly in a range of key statistical categories. Despite missing four matches, he still led the Club in total goal assists with 18.

Most Memorable Performance
Even though he collected a season-high 31 disposals against St Kilda in Round 16, Black’s most dominant performance was arguably against Melbourne in the season opener at the MCG. He turned back the clock with a vintage display against the Demons, which included 30 quality touches and 10 tackles.

Club Champion History
No other player in the Club’s merged history boasts a record like Simon Black’s when it comes to the Merrett-Murray Medal. The midfield superstar is not only a former three-time winner, but has also finished Runner-Up on five occasions - including each of the past four seasons. Remarkably, he has finished outside the top five just once in the past 11 seasons.

The Case For
Even at the age of 33, Black remains an out-and-out champion who can still turn a game with his silky skills in the midfield. 

The Case Against
Black missed almost a month of football with a sore knee, and spent a further two matches as the substitute. So he’ll need to poll big numbers in his 16 full games if he’s to claim a fourth title.


JONATHAN BROWN

Stats Wrap
Brown booted a Club-high 47 goals this season - his fifth best return in front of goals throughout his 13-year career. He also took a Club high 143 marks, and 31 contested marks.

Most Memorable Performance
It’s hard to go past Brown’s big day out against the GWS Giants at the Gabba. Working in tandem with Daniel Merrett, he monstered the AFL newcomers with 23 disposals, 16 marks and five goals.

Club Champion History
Jonathan Brown has won three Merrett-Murray Medals - placing him equal with Simon Black and Michael Voss* as the most decorated players in the award’s 15-year history. He also managed a podium finish in 2010 (3rd) after playing just 16 matches.
*NB: Voss also won two Club Champion awards with the Brisbane Bears

The Case For
Brown polled enough votes from 16 matches in 2010 to finish third in the Club Champion award - so should be well positioned in 2012 after managing 20 straight matches. Interestingly, he’s only played 20 or more games on three occasions over the past decade - and has taken home the Medal every time.

The Case Against
Life as a forward can be difficult if the team’s not winning a lot of games. And while Brown was clearly the Lions’ most effective weapon up forward, he was twice held goalless and managed just a single goal on four occasions throughout the season.


PEARCE HANLEY

Stats Wrap
Had more rebound 50s than any other player at the Club (91) and finished third behind Redden and Rockliff in total disposals (461). Not surprisingly, Hanley also finished with twice as many running bounces as any other Lions player.

Most Memorable Performance
Hanley might have had a career-high 34 disposals against Sydney in Round 15, but his most damaging performance was against Melbourne at the Gabba one week earlier when he ran riot on the wing. The Irishman collected 24 classy disposals and kicked three goals in a spectacular display.

Club Champion History
Is fresh from an equal fourth placing in 2011 after completing his first full AFL season. In fact, last year he polled 32.5 votes - which was four times more votes than he had received across his first three seasons combined.

The Case For
Hanley finished fourth in last year’s Club Champion award, and has arguably been more impressive in 2012. He’s also had a handful of outstanding matches - most of which came in Lions wins - which could net him some big scores.

The Case Against
Hanley might have taken his game to a new level in 2012, but his breakthrough season of 2011 means the Match Committee might mark him a little harder now that he’s established himself as one of the team’s prime movers.


BEN HUDSON

Stats Wrap
It’s no surprise that Hudson had the most hitouts for the Lions this season with 453 - but he also ranked 5th at the Club in contested possessions behind midfielders Redden, Rich, Black and Rockliff.

Most Memorable Performance
Hudson was faced with the task of competing against arguably the AFL’s best ruck combination when the Lions hosted West Coast in Round 10. But the big Queenslander limited the influence of Cox and Naitanui, while racking up 19 touches and 22 hitouts of his own. His effort played a big role in the side’s upset win over the Eagles.

Club Champion History
In his eight seasons at AFL level, Hudson’s best finish in a Club Best & Fairest count was with the Western Bulldogs back in 2010 when he placed sixth.

The Case For
With Matthew Leuenberger out injured, Hudson carried the Club's ruck division on his 33 year-old shoulders. Few would argue that the former Bulldog was one of the team’s most valuable players in 2012.

The Case Against
You can’t fault the big Queenslander’s effort this year, but the four matches he missed in the first half of the season could prove costly in the final tally.


MATT MAGUIRE

Stats Wrap
Statistics generally don’t do justice to the role of a defender, although Maguire’s output is probably best measured by his 122 one per centers - which ranked him third at the Club.

Most Memorable Performance
Maguire shut down some of the AFL’s best forwards in 2012, but his performance against his old club St Kilda in Round 16 was one of his finest. ‘Goose’ blanketed former team-mate Justin Koschitzke, while racking up a season-high 24 disposals and 10 marks of his own.

Club Champion History
Has finished 17th in each of his previous two seasons with the Lions, but can probably expect to move higher up the leader board in 2012 following his most productive season yet with the Club.

The Case For
Maguire’s proficiency down back gave the Lions’ coaching staff the luxury of playing regular full-back Daniel Merrett up forward. Before injuries struck in the second half of the season, he was one of the most important components of the Lions’ structure.

The Case Against
A combination of foot and elbow injuries kept the big defender out for six matches during the season, while he missed a large chunk of three others. He is expected to poll plenty of votes in the first half of the season, but will it be enough to hold off his fast-finishing team-mates?


DANIEL MERRETT

Stats Wrap
Merrett kicked a career-high 26 goals in 2012, after managing just 17 across his first nine AFL seasons. But the move forward didn’t stop the burly Queenslander from doing the little things like effecting spoils, smothers and shepherds. In fact, Merrett still ranked second in one per centers with 132.

Most Memorable Performance
In possibly the most memorable performance of any Lions player in 2012, Merrett kicked a season-high seven goals - including five in the first quarter alone - against Greater Western Sydney in Round 8.

Club Champion History
Has only twice finished in the Club Champion top 10 in his previous nine seasons. However, he was the early bolter last year and led the count in the first half of the season before a back injury saw his campaign come to a premature end. He still finished equal 9th in 2011 on the back of just 10 games!

The Case For
If the Brisbane Lions could have cloned anyone in 2012, it would have been Daniel Merrett. He played valuable roles up forward, down back, and in the ruck, and will have made an impression on the Match Committee with his versatility.

The Case Against
Merrett played the majority of 2012 up forward alongside Jonathan Brown, proving he can perform at both ends. But he quickly learned that opportunities can be scarce in attack on those occasions when the team was beaten badly.


JOEL PATFULL

Stats Wrap
A player whose effectiveness is not usually measured by statistics, Patfull was one of only five Lions to play in all 22 matches and led the Club in one per centers with 153.

Most Memorable Performance
It's hard to pick just one considering he shut-down a range of quality forwards this season, but his effort against St Kilda’s Nick Riewoldt deserves a mention. With Daniel Merrett still playing up forward, Patfull held the Saints skipper to just 11 disposals, two marks and two goals in their Round 16 meeting at the Gabba. Considering five of Riewoldt’s touches came from dicey free kicks, it was a brilliant blanketing performance from Patfull.

Club Champion History
Patfull has been a pillar of consistency on Club Champion night, finishing no lower than 11th over the past five seasons. However, he is yet to finish any higher than 7th (in 2008). Is this the year he finally sheds his 'quiet achiever' tag?

The Case For
The Lions’ ‘Mr Consistent’ enjoyed a career-best season in 2012, and was rarely beaten while holding down a key defensive post in the absence of Daniel Merrett.

The Case Against
Not a huge possession-winner (averaged 11.6 disposals in 2012), and generally goes about his business with little media attention or fanfare.


ANDREW RAINES

Stats Wrap
One of Raines’ biggest improvements in 2012 was his scoreboard contribution. He kicked eight goals for the season, after managing just two across his first eight seasons. He also ranked 5th in tackles (74) and 6th in clearances (81).

Most Memorable Performance
Of all Raines’ tagging jobs in 2012, one of his best was against Gold Coast superstar Gary Ablett in Round 4 at the Gabba. Ablett had started the season in white-hot form, and although he still managed to rack up 33 touches against the Lions, he was largely ineffective. The role went a long way to the Lions retaining the QClash Cup.

Club Champion History
Finished Runner-Up in Richmond’s Best & Fairest count back in 2006, but hasn’t cracked the top 10 yet in his two seasons at the Lions. His best result for the Club was in 2011 when he finished 12th overall.

The Case For
Raines is always entrusted with the biggest jobs, and more often than not delivers. While he might not get the recognition he deserves externally, his role is valued highly among those within the Club.

The Case Against
Raines is regularly assigned one of the toughest tasks each week - to stop the opposition’s best midfielder. So if one of his opponents is deemed to have had an influence on the result, he is likely pay the price.


JACK REDDEN

Stats Wrap
Redden’s statistical output in 2012 was enormous - leading the Club in total disposals (549), tackles (143), and clearances (113). He also ranked in the top five in marks (108), goal assists (12), and inside 50s (62).

Most Memorable Performance
Redden went head-to-head against Adelaide’s Scott Thompson in Round 21 at the Gabba, and was clearly the Lions’ best in their upset victory. He had 30 touches, nine tackles and seven clearances to take the points over his highly fancied opponent.

Club Champion History
In only four seasons, Redden is a proven vote-getter on Club Champion night. He finished 5th in 2010 and backed it up last year with a career-best 3rd placing behind Tom Rockliff and Simon Black.

The Case For
Redden’s statistics speak for themselves, and his incredible tackle count will be looked upon favourably by the Match Committee. A particularly good final month of the season should see him come home strongly.

The Case Against
Was relatively quiet in the opening month of the season. Redden also had standout performances in some of the Lions’ biggest losses for the season (against Essendon, Collingwood and West Coast) - and votes will be much harder to come by in those games.


DANIEL RICH

Stats Wrap
Rich averaged a career-high 21.7 disposals this season and finished third on the Club’s goal-kicking tally with a personal-best 20 goals. He also pumped the ball inside 50m on 97 occasions - 17 times more than any other Lions player.

Most Memorable Performance
Rich saved his best for last with a 25-disposal, four-goal display against the Bulldogs in the Lions’ season finale. Many considered it to be his most outstanding game in four seasons with the Club.

Club Champion History
Finished inside the top 10 in each of his first two seasons at AFL level, but slipped to 15th in 2011. His best result was in his debut season of 2009 when he finished 6th.

The Case For
Rich has enjoyed a career-best season and while his numbers probably aren’t as great as fellow midfielders Redden and Rockliff, he has arguably been more damaging. His ability to impact the scoreboard will undoubtedly attract votes.

The Case Against
Rich’s chances at a maiden Club Champion title could be hampered by a rough conduct charge in Round 16 saw him suspended for two matches. Although one of the matches he missed was the 98-point loss to West Coast at Subiaco, which is unlikely to draw too many votes out of the Match Committee.


TOM ROCKLIFF

Stats Wrap
Had the second most disposals (539), second most clearances (93), third most tackles (96), third most inside 50s (70), and fourth most goals (18) at the Club this season.

Most Memorable Performance
Plenty to choose from, but hard to overlook his effort against the Bulldogs back in Round 13 on the eve of the Club’s inaugural Hall of Fame event. Spurred on by the historic occasion, Rockliff collected an equal Club-record 40 disposals and booted two goals in an outstanding display.

Club Champion History
Became the youngest ever winner of the Merrett-Murray Medal last year at 21 years of age - which remains his only ever finish inside the top 10.

The Case For
The reigning Club Champion combined his supreme ball-winning ability with some new tricks up forward in 2012. He also collected more AFLCA votes (43) - which are awarded by both coaches after each game - than any other Lions player throughout the season.

The Case Against
Rockliff averaged close to 27 disposals in his first 16 matches, but that figure dropped significantly to in the final six games (when he averaged just over 18 touches). A quieter last month might mean that he’ll need to hold on if he’s to make it back-to-back Medals.


DAYNE ZORKO

Stats Wrap
Averaged 19.6 disposals and one goal per game in a remarkable debut season. But his pressure on the opposition was just as telling, with the mature age recruit laying 103 tackles in just 16 senior games - which was second only to Jack Redden.

Most Memorable Performance
Zorko often played his best games against the best opposition, and it was no exception in Round 12 against minor Premiers Hawthorn. He was clearly the Lions’ best in the heavy loss to the Hawks, with 24 touches, nine marks, seven tackles, and three goals.

Club Champion History
As a first-year player, Zorko has no history at the Lions’ Club Champion event. However, he is no stranger to such honours considering he won four consecutive Broadbeach Best & Fairest awards before joining the Lions.

The Case For
Zorko’s impact was significant, and his arrival on the AFL scene attracted the attention of the entire football community. By season’s end, he was paid the ultimate compliment by being tagged by the opposition.

The Case Against
Zorko’s chances of being crowned Club Champion in his first season would have increased significantly had he not waited until Round 7 to make his debut. The pocket rocket was the sub against the Magpies, before proceeding to make his mark on the AFL competition in the final 15 Rounds.