DANIEL Bradshaw finished his career with the Sydney Swans but he'll always hold a special place in the hearts of the Brisbane Lions club and its supporters.

Bradshaw came to the Brisbane Bears at pick No.56 in the 1995 National Draft, and left 14 years later as a two-time premiership player.

He was always a fan favourite - and still is - with his low maintenance, hard working, no fuss attitude, coupled with his exceptional football talents.

Unfortunately his time in Brisbane ended on a sour note after being offered as trade bait in an attempt to lure Carlton's Brendan Fevola north.

While Bradshaw didn't go then, he was hurt, and left for a fresh start in Sydney last season.

Lions supporters certainly held no grudges, and nor should they for what was a fantastic career eventually cut short by knee problems.

As his former teammate and coach Michael Voss said at Lions training on Friday, it was a sad way to end a great career.

"Finishing with injury is disappointing for him, you never like to see that for anyone," Voss said.

"He's been a very serviceable player for us over a long period of time. So it's disappointing, but at the same time it's good to be able to offer congratulations for a great career."

After playing his first match for the Lions in 1996 as a 17-year-old against Richmond at Optus Oval, Bradshaw quickly announced himself to the AFL public with his athleticism, strong hands and accurate kicking - trademark features that spanned his career.

In 1997 he earned a Rising Star nomination for his four goals against Fremantle at Subiaco Oval and backed it up the following week with six against Geelong.

As the Lions built towards the premiership years of 2001, 2002 and 2003, Bradshaw was a central figure.

With Alastair Lynch the spearhead and a young bull by the name of Jonathan Brown cementing a spot at centre half-forward, quite often the squeeze was on to get Bradshaw in the starting 18.

But whether used up forward or at centre half-back - as he was so often in the first half of the last decade - Bradshaw never complained.

He just got on with the job - that was his way.

He overcame not one, but two seasons out of the game after leg stress fractures cost him the 1999 season and an anterior cruciate ligament injury cost him the 2007 season.

"I've played Grand Finals with him, so as a player that's the thing you hold the most and always will be when you're in those situations," Voss said.

Lions chairman Angus Johnson echoes the words of the club and its supporters best.
 
"Daniel was a true professional in his approach and gave wonderful service in 14 years with the Brisbane Lions," he said.
 
"He was a key part of what will become one of the most celebrated periods in our club's history and remains to this day a favourite among our fans.
 
"His eventual departure from the club understandably stirred emotions, but that does not take away from the fact that he will forever be remembered as one of the Lions' favourite sons."
 
And while it ended up being his last match at home for the club, Bradshaw's performance against Carlton in the 2009 elimination final at the Gabba was a fitting way to farewell the loyal fans.

Down by 30 points early in the final quarter, the home team looked gone, but Bradshaw lifted and kicked three goals to inspire a remarkable comeback win.

His screw kick from the left boundary line to put them in front will long be remembered in Brisbane on a night when the Gabba was its noisiest in recent memory.

No fuss, no fanfare, but first class performance - that was Daniel Bradshaw.

Michael Whiting covers Brisbane Lions news for afl.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @mike_whiting