As a way of recognising loyal members for their continued support of the Club at games, the Brisbane Lions have been offering an enticing reward for members who have attended every home game at the Gabba in 2011.

Each week, one lucky member who fulfils the criteria has been randomly drawn to receive an ‘ultimate upgrade’ into an eight-seat VIP box for the next game.

Fiercely loyal member Ian Patterson - who is a previous player sponsor of Tom Rockliff - was the fortunate member who was selected to upgrade his reserve seats Lions’ Round 15 match against Port Adelaide at the Gabba in Round 15.

Ian resides in Gatton (which is approximately an hour away from the Gabba) and has been a member for the past 14 years. Remarkably, he has missed just two home games during that time.

Unfortunately, his farming business was one of thousands in Queensland that was severely affected by the floods earlier this year. So the upgrade - and the subsequent Lions victory - was welcome news to him and his family who have been under severe financial strain.

“I really enjoyed the experience,” Ian said.

“I brought my mother along, who’s old and can’t really walk far.”

Ian also appreciated the Club’s efforts in bringing injured forward Mitch Clark over to visit him and his family during the second quarter of the match.

“Mitch was friendly and really nice. I really appreciated him popping over,” he said.

As for the tough road back to recovery from the floods, Ian was optimistic and typically selfless.

“It will be tough, but there are many other people worse off than me. I’m sure I’ll pull through”.

All members who have attended every match so far in 2011 will go into the running to WIN the ‘ultimate upgrade’ at the remaining home games.