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 #6: CHARMAN BOWS OUT
CLICK HERE to watch Jamie Charman's career highlights
A true character of the Club, Jamie Charman eventually succumbed to persistent injuries and announced his retirement at the beginning of August.
The much-loved Premiership ruckman played 129 matches in 11 seasons with the Lions, but had spent the better part of his last three years on the sidelines due to recurring ankle and Achilles ailments.
So while it probably didn’t come as a huge surprise when he finally decided to hang up the boots, it certainly proved an emotional time for the fans, his team-mates and the 29 year-old himself.
Despite a frustrating final few seasons, ‘Charmo’ wasn’t going to simply accept the unfortunate set of circumstances he had been dealt, and instead battled hard to overcome his injuries in a bid to return to the field.
And after months of strict rehabilitation, specialist appointments and extra training, he finally geared up for a highly anticipated return with the Lions Reserves on Saturday 23 July against the Gold Coast Suns.
Only a small selection of Lions fans would have witnessed Charman booting a goal with his first kick of the day and going on to have a significant impact on the contest in the first half. But, as part of a careful injury management program, the bullocking ruckman sat out the entire second half.
Although the initial signs looked promising, the days following Charman’s first hitout in 25 months dampened the hopes of him ever returning to senior football. Quite simply, it became evident that his body could no longer stand up to the physical demands of the game, which forced the big Queenslander to make the difficult decision of heading into an early retirement.
In recognition of Charman’s respected position at the Club, he was afforded a lap of honour in front of his adoring home crowd prior to the Lions’ Round 20 match against Adelaide at the Gabba.
At season’s end, he received further recognition when he was inducted as a Lions Life Member. While Charman didn’t quite meet the stipulated criteria to become a Life Member (he fell 21 matches short of the necessary 150 games), the Board took little time in granting him the honour under the ‘exceptional circumstances’ clause.
During his final address at the Club Champion dinner, an emotional Charman expressed his love for the game, the Club and the fans.
“I love the game because I love to compete. I love the physicality of it and I love attacking the contest.”
“I love this Club. It has been my second family for 11 years and I’m proud to finish a one-club player.”
“I’d like to thank all the supporters. You guys are the lifeblood of this Club and have been magnificent.”
However, only last month the Club was pleased to welcome Charman back into the fold in a new position which will see him split his time between coaching the team and performing key business objectives with the Lions administration.
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RELATED LINKS
Charman joins coaching staff
Charman’s final address
A final farewell
Black pays tribute to Charman
Lionhearted
Charman announces retirement
PREVIOUS MOMENTS
#10: CELEBRATING GREATNESS
#9: BLOODING YOUNG CUBS
#8: HISTORY ON SHOW
#7: QCLASH REVENGE
