THE Brisbane Lions are unique. As the only club in the competition to have been formed via a merger, the Lions' history includes the feats and characters of three different clubs: Fitzroy (1883-1996), the Brisbane Bears (1987-96) and the Lions (since 1997).

This year, the Brisbane Lions have moved to recognise their proud history by reinvigorating its strong past players and officials group.

Before the Lions' match against North Melbourne in round 18, the club hosted a reunion of about 150 past players and officials at Etihad Stadium.

The AFL Record attended the function and spoke with former players from all three of the Lions' eras.

The oldest living ex-player, Des Calverley, 91, was a rover/winger who played 52 matches for Fitzroy from 1940-46 and another 18 for Richmond from 1947-48.

Calverley said the Lions had been the first League club to establish a past players and officials association, in 1955. 

Calverley, whose sons Ray and Graham also played for Fitzroy, said he had always felt part of the Brisbane Lions, even after the 1996 merger.

"To get three premierships under the Lions name (in 2001-03) made us feel really good," he said.

"As a club, we hadn't won a premiership since 1944, so it had been a long wait, but it was worth it.

"And it's lovely to see all these old players here today and to still feel part of the club."

Craig Evans was on the Brisbane Bears' inaugural list, in 1987. Having played nine games in 1986 for Geelong, Evans played two games for the Bears before a serious groin injury ended his League career at the end of 1987.

Although the first batch of Bears players battled a lack of resources and support, Evans, 46, said he had fond memories of the times he shared with players such as Mark Roberts, Chris Stacey, Bernie Harris, Jamie Duursma and Geoff Raines.

"Obviously, in starting up, we were all fairly competitive to get a game, but because we were the first to go up there, we were all very close," he said.

"That's why (this) function is exactly what's needed because it allows guys like me who went up from Victoria and came back again to stay involved with the club."

Simon Hawking was one of eight Fitzroy players selected by the Lions under the club's merger concessions.

Although he spent just the 1997 season in Brisbane and did not play a game because of injury, he said it was "a brief but good time".

Hawking, 38, said he hoped the Lions' past players initiative would help ex-Fitzroy players reconnect with the club.

"(Former Fitzroy player and Lions board member) Laurie Serafini mentioned that Jimmy Wynd felt a little bit uncomfortable coming along because he hadn't played for Brisbane," Hawking said.

"But, hopefully, (the function) shows Fitzroy people can come along and be part of what's now the broader club."

The Lions will hold a reunion event for their Queensland-based past players at the Gabba later this season.