More history will be made this Saturday night when the Brisbane Lions crown it's 2011 Club Champion.

With at least half a dozen legitimate contenders for the top honour, it promises to be a thrilling count that most likely won't be decided until the final rounds.

But as we look forward to this Saturday night's event, we also reflect on some of the interesting facts and figures surrounding previous Club Champion counts.

DOUBLE-UP

Only seven times in Club history (Fitzroy and Bears included) has the Best & Fairest award been shared by two players - Barclay Bailes & Wally Johnson (1907), Herbert Milne & George Holden (1908), Bill Walker & George Lambert (1909), Kevin Murray & John Murphy (1968), David Bain & Martin Leslie (1990), Jason Akermanis & Justin Leppitsch (1999) and Michael Voss & Simon Black (2001).

Rest assured that additional Merrett-Murray Medals are always on hand in case there is more than one winner on Club Champion night. 

NINE OF THE BEST

Fitzroy Legend Kevin Murray’s nine Club Champion awards remains an equal AFL record together with South Melbourne’s Bob Skilton.

Former Lions three-time Premiership coach Leigh Matthews is next best having won eight Best & Fairests with Hawthorn.

Of the current Lions players - Simon Black and Jonathan Brown each have three Merrett-Murray Medals.

A NUMBERS GAME

Tom Rockliff is widely considered one of the leading contenders for this year's Merrett-Murray Medal after an outstanding third season with the Club.

If the 21 year-old can secure his maiden Best & Fairest award, he will become the first ever player to win a Lions Club Champion award in the Number 38 guernsey.

On the other hand, fellow favourite Jack Redden dons a number that is synonymous with Best & Fairest awards in our Club's history.

Redden's Number 30 jumper was previously worn by Fitzroy Club Champions George Holden (winner in 1908 and 1915), Don Furness (winner in 1953 and 1955) and Allan Ruthven (winner in 1944, 1945, 1946, 1948 and 1949).

GONE WITH THE WIN

Reigning Merrett-Murray Medallist Michael Rischitelli isn’t the only player in recent Club history to join another AFL team immediately after winning the Lions’ Best & Fairest award.

Paul Roos departed for Sydney after winning the 1994 Club Champion award, Alastair Lynch took his 1993 Club Champion trophy interstate (albeit to the Bears), while Scott Clayton retired from football after winning Fitzroy’s 1990 Best & Fairest award.

Also, Martin Pike won the Club Best & Fairest award in Fitzroy’s final year of 1996 before being drafted by North Melbourne the following season.

CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR

Lions champion Luke Power has finished in the Club Champion top five in each of the past eight seasons without ever securing the top prize.

Marcus Ashcroft is the only other Lions player in recent history to have had come close to such an extended period of consistency without the reward. ‘Choppers’ finished in the top five six times - including four times inside the top three.

But spare a thought for former Hawthorn champion and AFL games record-holder Michael Tuck who finished second in his Club’s Best & Fairest award seven times - and came third twice - without ever winning.

BROWNLOW CHANCES

The Brownlow Medal isn’t necessarily an accurate reflection on who is considered the Club’s Best & Fairest player each season.

Simon Black (2002), Michael Voss (1996) and Kevin Murray (1969) all received their Club Champion award in the same year they won the AFL Brownlow Medal, but it hasn’t always been the case.

Jason Akermanis won the 2001 Brownlow Medal but finished fourth in the Merrett-Murray vote count behind tied winners Voss and Black as well as third placed Nigel Lappin.

Similarly, Brownlow Medallists Bernie Quinlan (1981) and Allan Ruthven (1950) ultimately failed to claim the Club’s top prize, losing out to Ron Alexander and Bill Stephen in their respective seasons.

Click here view a full list of Lions Club Champion voting since 1997 

Don't forget, you can still secure your place at this event by phoning 07 3335 1756 or email sales@lions.com.au  

You can also download and complete a booking form online by clicking here