You couldn’t help but come away inspired from Wednesday night’s Hall of Fame ceremony in Brisbane.

The Hall of Fame might be just two events old, but it has quickly become one of the most popular evenings on the Club’s event calendar.

The night is dedicated to those outstanding individuals who have paved the way for the current crop of players, coaches, and administrators.

Recognising Club history is critically important, particularly at the Lions considering their unique circumstances as the League’s only merged entity.

There was reflection on the old Fitzroy days, acknowledgement of the Bears as Queensland pioneers, and celebration of the success from only a decade ago.

And you only had to see the faces of the current day players during the stirring acceptance speeches to see that the occasion struck a chord with them as well, with James Aish, Lewis Taylor, Sam Mayes and co. hearing first-hand of the difficulties faced by some of the most decorated players early in their careers.

Chris Johnson, for instance, revealed that he experienced three wooden spoons in his first four seasons at AFL level.

He now boasts three premierships, multiple All-Australians, and of course, selection in the Lions’ Hall of Fame – and is living proof of how things can turn around.

There were countless stories and memorable lines to share from the evening, however only those in attendance will be able to fully appreciate the nostalgic feeling that permeated throughout the room.

Below is just a brief snapshot of what you might have missed:

Senior Coach Justin Leppitsch hoped that the latest crop of Hall of Famers would help inspire his current side:

“It’s one of the rare nights when the history of the football club gets to meet the future of the football club,” Leppitsch said.

“The question you have to ask yourself is – am I doing everything possible to get where I want to get to? That’s what the best do, and they do it on a daily basis.”

Darryl White shared an entertaining story about his Goal of the Year prize in 1992.

“I kicked the Goal of the Year in my first season and won a $5,000 fuel card – but I didn’t have a license and didn’t have a car!” White said.

“I ended up giving it to (then CEO) Andrew Ireland and he gave me $5,000 cash.”

Roger Merrett was joined on stage by his daughter Georgia, who spoke on behalf of her father as the former Bears Captain continues to recover from a stroke suffered a few years ago.

Merrett had earlier relayed his thoughts to Georgie, who shared them with the audience.

“He didn’t really have a reason (for moving to Brisbane at the end of 1987) – he was just offered the opportunity and had already accomplished so much at Essendon and had enjoyed success,” Georgia said.

“Originally he said he was worried (about the state of football in Queensland). He didn’t realise how far behind the Bears were and what an ordeal it would be. But eventually he began to really enjoy it and created such great friendships.”

Chris Johnson reflected on his move to Brisbane as one of eight Fitzroy recruits following the 1996 merger, and his attempts to return to Victoria:

“The eight of us came up (to Brisbane) and it wasn’t great at the start. There were some people who were receptive to it and others that weren’t,” Johnson said.

“My career started to take off, while some of the other boys went off and got traded to other clubs and had good careers there.

“It would have been great if there were one or two more that had have stuck around. Obviously I played with Pikey (Martin Pike) at Fitzroy, but he wasn’t part of that original eight.

“I remember talking to (then Recruiting Manager) Scott Clayton and requested a trade. He said that he would trade me if I wanted to go back home. But then he went to the trade table and told all the other Clubs that I wasn’t up for trade. So I guess I’ve got Scott Clayton to thank for why I’m here today.“

Chris Scott said his natural aggression helped him become a better player.

“Sometimes I played a little bit too angry, in retrospect. I knew if I relied on talent and being a nice player, that I wouldn’t be nearly as effective as if I got stuck in,” Scott said.

Scott also said that his success with the Lions tasted much sweeter having first experienced tough times with the Bears.

“Even the Brisbane Lions players of today, I can guarantee you that if you do get success in the future, it will have been so much better to have started from the beginning when things were really tough,” he said.

Leigh Matthews was full of praise for his former premiership Captain, and latest Lions Legend, Michael Voss.

“I looked up the basic numbers, and Vossy’s only 183cm tall and 88kg according to the AFL media guide. But we all know that he played much, much taller than that,” Matthews said.

“He could impose as much power on a game as any player that was 100kg-plus. He was a highly-skilled magnificent footballer, but was also a human battering ram.”

Man of the moment Michael Voss commented on the magnitude of becoming just the third Lions Legend:

“It’s quite incredible. This is the best individual honour that I’ve received in my life, and I thank the Club for that,” Voss said.

Fans will have to wait another two years until the next star-studded induction ceremony, which will be held in Melbourne at some stage in 2016.