The following events will soon be consigned to Club history as the Lions gear up for another assault on the AFL Premiership in 2012.
The Lions will count down the 10 significant moments from 2011 throughout December, with the final instalment featuring on Friday 23 December - prior to the Club’s official closure for the New Year period.
MOMENT #4: ROCKLIFF CROWNED
CLICK HERE to watch Club Champion Tom Rockliff’s 2011 highlights package
In an otherwise disappointing season for the Lions on the field in 2011, one of the real positives for the Club was the emergence of some genuine young stars.
And none shone more brightly than 21 year-old Tom Rockliff, who in just his third AFL season, joined elite company at the Lions by becoming the youngest ever player to take home the Merrett-Murray Medal as the team’s Best & Fairest player.
Rockliff’s crowning achievement proved a significant step forward in the evolution of the Lions, and provided a glimpse into the Club’s promising future.
After a breakthrough 2010 season, the Benalla boy averaged a Club-high 27.7 disposals per game across 20 senior matches in 2011.
He also ranked fourth at the Club in total marks (111), second in goal assists (17) and second in tackles (108).
Rockliff’s leadership qualities were also recognised from early in the season as one of the youngest players in the Lions’ history to be elevated into the Club’s official Leadership Group.
His first Merrett-Murray Medal further stamped what has been a meteoric rise through the AFL ranks.
Rockliff edged out former three-time winner Simon Black and fellow young gun Jack Redden in one the more thrilling counts in recent seasons, with only 2.5 votes separating first and third place.
His name will now forever be etched in Club history alongside the likes of Black, Jonathan Brown, Michael Voss, Nigel Lappin and Jason Akermanis.
But Rockliff was his usual humble self when accepting the honour.
“It doesn’t sit comfortably with me right now, sitting in that category with the blokes that have won it in the past,” Rockliff said.
“I’ve still got a lot of work to do before I can be mentioned in the same sentence as them.”
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RELATED LINKS
Best of The Challenge with Tom Rockliff
Rockliff repaying the faith
How it unfolded
Rock solid
Rockliff takes out Merrett-Murray Medal
Rocks in their heads?
PREVIOUS MOMENTS
#10: CELEBRATING GREATNESS
#9: BLOODING YOUNG CUBS
#8: HISTORY ON SHOW
#7: QCLASH REVENGE
#6: CHARMAN BOWS OUT
#5: YOUNG LIONS COMMIT
