It was a team to rival any.
The Team of the Decade and top 10 Magic Moments were the highlight of the centrepiece of 10 year celebrations for the club, which was born out of the union of Fitzroy and the Brisbane Bears in 1997.
The Brisbane Lions Team of the Decade contains two Norm Smith Medallists, three Brownlow Medallists, four dual premiership players, eight All-Australians and 16 triple premiership players.
And it would be fair to say that each has played a part – both individually and collectively – in the Brisbane Lions becoming entrenched as a major player in the Queensland sporting landscape.
The backline comprised the six players who spent most time there during the premiership glory years with little debate among the selectors – Brian Burke, Mike Sheahan and Robert Walls – about who should fill those defensive posts, only about who should be in which position. And that was taking into account the claims of former club favourites Danny Dickfos and Matthew Kennedy.
Mal Michael and Justin Leppitsch picked themselves in the key backline posts, Chris Scott was 1998 club champion as a ruck-rover but was irrepressible at half-back, and Marcus Ashcroft filled a key part of the premiership puzzle when moved into defence in 2001. Darryl White could fill any defensive position – and did – while Chris Johnson was part of a massive change in the game with his attack from defence.
The romance of a centreline comprising the names Lappin-Voss-Akermanis was particularly appealing to the panel. But pragmatism prevailed and Brad Scott secured a wing position, with Akermanis at half-forward. Brad Scott played an important strategic role on the wing while Akermanis’ goalkicking prowess, which includes winning the club goalkicking award in 2004, saw him named on a half forward flank.
Like the back half of the ground, big men Jonathan Brown and Alastair Lynch were certainties for the key forward posts, while Daniel Bradshaw filled the forward pocket position from which he kicked 300 goals for the decade.
Craig McRae’s goalkicking ability coupled with the recognition of his defensive skills, which like Johnson changed the role of the position, earned him a flank position. And Luke Power was named in a forward pocket, given his uncanny goal sense and the fact he kicked more than 50 goals in the 2000 season.
The ruck positions – one on the ground and one on the bench – were always going to be one of the tougher selection decisions.
Clark Keating earned the No.1 berth, with three top-notch performances in four grand final appearances too difficult to overlook. Jamie Charman (one premiership) played a similar number of games to Beau McDonald (two premierships) over the decade but won a split decision for the place on the bench.
The first club champion from 1997, Matthew Clarke, had equally strong claims. But Charman’s efforts in playing a substantial role throughout the season in helping the team to the 2002 and 2003 grand finals won out with the selectors.
Martin Pike and Tim Notting were both strong contenders for a wing position, but Brad Scott’s longevity and overall contribution from 1998 got him the berth. So the selectors ensured Pike and Notting sat alongside Charman on the bench.
The final place in the 22 was cause for most debate amongst the selectors, with two-time premiership player Robert Copeland, former Bears All-Australian and club champion Craig Lambert, and loyal club servants Richard Champion and Kennedy in the mix.
Champion was described as the player the team could ill afford to lose the most in a stellar 1999 season, and his overall performances coupled with his link to the start of the new Lions era saw him claim the final place.
So the team was:
AAPT BRISBANE LIONS TEAM OF THE DECADE
Backs: Chris Johnson, Mal Michael, Darryl White
Half-Backs: Marcus Ashcroft, Justin Leppitsch, Chris Scott
Centres: Nigel Lappin, Michael Voss (c), Brad Scott
Half-Forwards: Jason Akermanis, Jonathan Brown, Craig McRae
Forwards: Luke Power, Alastair Lynch, Daniel Bradshaw
Rucks: Clark Keating, Simon Black, Shaun Hart
Interchange: Martin Pike, Tim Notting, Jamie Charman, Richard Champion
Coach: Leigh Matthews
