Custom Search

Daniel Bradshaw sets NEW club record

The Victorian Lions Supporters Group is extremely disappointed that once again the media incorrectly reported Brisbane Lions records in relation to Daniel Bradshaw's magnificent individual effort of 9 goals in the match against Melbourne.

It is our firm view that the Brisbane Lions club was formed on 1st November 1996 and that its first season in the AFL was in 1997. The Brisbane Bears and the Fitzroy Football Club are separate clubs and therefore we regard the records of both former clubs to have been 'ruled off' at the end of that season.

Daniel Bradshaw does not share the Brisbane Lions goal-kicking record with Brad Hardie, who kicked 9 goals Round 10 in 1989 against Carlton at Princes Park for the Brisbane Bears. Daniel Bradshaw is the new record holder for the Brisbane Lions, surpassing two eight goal hauls by Alastair Lynch - against Melbourne in 2002 and West Coast in 2003 - and Jonathan Brown's eight goals against Essendon in Round 6 of this year.

It is extremely disappointing for Victorian members of the Brisbane Lions, most of whom are former Fitzroy supporters, to read of the inclusion of Brisbane Bears records in Brisbane Lions, yet the club that is supposed to form part of the merger, Fitzroy is completely ignored. If Brad Hardie is to be mentioned, then we fully expect any Fitzroy players who had kicked 9 goals or more in their 100 year history, would also be mentioned. To mention Brad Hardie (9 goals) also means to mention Bob Merrick (12), Jack Morriarty (12), Micky Conlan (10), Richard Osborne (11) and Bernie Quinlan (11) to name but a few Fitzroy greats.

As stated earlier the VLSG recognises the Brisbane Lions as a new club commencing at the start of Season 1997. As such records broken in the future should take into consideration records from 1997 and not 1987 or even 1887. All we ask for is consistency. If Brisbane Bears records are to be reported as part of the Brisbane Lions, then in the spirit and fact of the 1996 merger (of which the ninth anniversary on Monday 4th July has just passed), so too should Fitzroy's records.

Player Award
With 10 young players getting their first chance to play for the Lions at the senior level this year has opened up voting for the VLSG award. The VLSG Award for the Best Young Brisbane Lions Player in Victorian matches is open for voting by all VLSG members and one of the few awards presented that is decided by Lions supporters.

The winner of the 2004 award was Richard Hadley. Traditionally the award is presented to the player at the Victorian Family Day, but unfortunately this year that was when Richard injured his knee. VLSG President, Sharon Torney travelled to the Gabba for the game against Richmond and with the assistance of the Lions, was able to present the award to Richard at the Friday night training. Richard was honoured to receive the award.

VLSG members vote for the three players (if they wish) that they believe were best. For a player to be eligible he must, as at the start of the season have played less than 50 AFL games and be under 23 years of age. Voting is 3, 2, 1 with the total of votes counted, similar to the Brownlow. For the past four years voting has included any finals played in Victoria and the grand finals.

So after the game against Carlton, the leader board looks like this:
Player Total
Justin Sherman 27
Jed Adcock 26
Josh Drummond 12
Troy Selwood 10
Anthony Corrie 10
Matthew Moody 4

Player Sponsorship
For the past few years, the Victorian Lions Supporters Group has sponsored a Brisbane Lions player. VLSG members can take out an additional option from the base membership and vote for the player they'd like the group to sponsor. This year the sponsored player is Luke Power.

Player Sponsorship comes with a number of benefits and in taking out the sponsorship option, a VLSG member goes into the draw for one of the options.

So far this season four VLSG members have been lucky enough to go into the rooms before the Essendon and Carlton games. They have had the opportunity to watch the players as they go through their warm up routines, getting weighed, the umpires coming in to shake hands with each player and maybe get to see if a player has been elevated from the emergency list as a late inclusion before the rest of the supporters get to see them run onto the ground.

There are two more benefits still to be drawn, so good luck to all VLSG members who have taken part in the player sponsorship option.

VLSG Forum
For those that haven't yet ventured there, the VLSG has set up a forum, or message board where Lions supporters can go to discuss all things related to the Lions, and matters that have nothing to do with football at all. The Forum is becoming more and more popular with Lions supporters with over 50 registered members so far and growing. If you'd like to have a look, just click on the Forum button at the top of this page.

Members of the Forum have been voting for the best Lions for each match. The voting in this award is open to every Lions player and is voted on a 5 to 1 scale. The votes are tallied after each round with the player receiving the highest total, and then given 5 points which is used in the overall tally. For example, in the game against Carlton Jonathan Brown totalled 49 votes, Josh Drummond 24 and Daniel Bradshaw 21. Based on this, to update the leader board, Brown was given 5 votes, Drummond 4 and Bradshaw 2 (Troy Selwood also received 24 votes and on count back allocated 3). A little confusing, but have a look at the Forum to see it in action and it starts to make sense!

After the Geelong game the leader board looks like this:
Votes Player(s)
29: Jonathan Brown
18: Luke Power
16: Josh Drummond, Jason Akermanis
13: Simon Black, Daniel Bradshaw
12: Nigel Lappin
11: Mal Michael
10: Chris Johnson, Michael Voss
9: Jed Adcock
8: Anthony Corrie
6: Chris Scott
5: Justin Sherman, Ash McGrath
4: Justin Leppitsch
3: Troy Selwood
2: Jared Brennan, Joel MacDonald, Daniel Merrett
1: Tim Notting

To the top right of this page is the winner of each the first thirteen rounds, voted as Player of the Week.

HAYDN BUNTON STATUE UNVEILED AT MCG

The late Haydn Bunton's sons, David and Haydn Jnr, will join former Fitzroy Football Club president Leon Wiegard to unveil a bronze statue of their legendary father outside Gate 6 of the MCG on Saturday morning before the Hawthorn-Lions match.

The statue, a brilliant piece by Louis Laumen, is number seven (after Don Bradman, Betty Cuthbert, Ron Barassi, Keith Miller, Dick Reynolds and Shirley Strickland) of 10 works commissioned as part of the $1m Tattersall's "Parade of the Champions" project at the MCG. The commissioned works will be completed in time for the Commonwealth Games in 2006.

Three generations of the famous football family will witness the unveiling, including Dr Hayden Bunton III (Haydn Snr's grandson) and his three daughters.

In addition, former Fitzroy players and officials who still marvel at Bunton's feats that saw him capture three Brownlow Medals – including Garry Wilson, Dyson Hore-Lacy and Bill Jacobs - will be in attendance.

The VLSG will also be there and will bring a report of the days proceedings very soon.

A message from the President

(Friday 8th April 2005)

On behalf of all members of the VLSG, I would like to offer a heart felt congratulations to Michael Voss on reaching 250 AFL games.

Michael Voss epitomises what it means to be a leader. He does not back down, puts his body on the line, leads by example, does not ask for other players to do what he wouldn't do himself and on many occasions has been seen encouraging the young players when they have been given their chance to step up in the senior side. With a career interrupted with injury, one can only imagine what more he could have achieved when he is already a triple premiership captain, Brownlow medallist and club Champion. Congratulations to Michael Voss and thank you.

The Victorian Lions Supporters Group (VLSG) would like to acknowledge the Brisbane Lions' board for accepting the recommendation from the Fitzroy Football Club to wear a Fitzroy jumper in a Victorian match as a way of compensation in 2005 for the Home and Away schedule. Whilst the Lions game against Hawthorn on Saturday 16th April at the MCG will be a great for Lions supporters from the Fitzroy side of the family, the VLSG would prefer the merger agreement be adhered to. We hope that the 2006 AFL schedule will follow the merger agreement and have the Lions playing at least six (6) games in Victoria.

In closing, the VLSG recently wrote to The Age's Real Footy website asking if "Brisbane" could be changed to "Brisbane Lions" in their 2005 Prediction section and Ladder. Thank you to Real Footy for making both of these changes. Here's hoping other members of the media will be able to follow suit.

Fitzroy jumper to be worn twice this season (Monday 1st March 2005)

From www.lions.com.au

The AAPT Brisbane Lions will wear a Fitzroy guernsey in one of their games in Melbourne this year as a show of faith to a significant part of their Victorian fan base.

The Lions were desperately disappointed at being drawn to play only five games in Victoria this year, when the merger agreement between the Bears, Fitzroy and AFL stipulates that a minimum six games be played in the southern capital every year.

A substantial percentage of the Lions’ 6000-strong Victorian membership base are former Fitzroy supporters, and the club’s board of directors were keen to compensate them for the loss of the game. The Lions received a number of letters from concerned members and also reached an agreement with the Fitzroy Football Club to wear the jumper.

“Sure we have secured an extra game at the Gabba each year courtesy of the arrangement with the Melbourne FC, but the fact is the AFL is sending us to Perth twice, Adelaide twice and Sydney in the toughest draw of any club,” said Lions chairman Graeme Downie.

“That’s two years in a row we have been sent all over the country and we would hope that we would get at least six games or more in Victoria in coming seasons. Most people also understand that running an AFL club is a business, and the Melbourne ‘away’ game is important to our overall financial position.

“Politics aside, that doesn’t help our Victorian based members and supporters in 2005. The board felt the best solution was to wear a Fitzroy jumper as a show of faith to all those supporters who have got behind our club over the last few years.

“If – and we hope it is a long while before it occurs again – we are allocated only five games in Victoria again sometime in the future, the board has committed it to policy that we will again wear a Fitzroy jumper in one game played in Melbourne that season.”

The Lions Board of Directors will decide on the appropriate round of fixtures to wear the Fitzroy guernsey this season, and the jumper design, over the next month.

The decision means that the Lions will wear a Fitzroy jumper twice this season – the club had already committed to wearing a ‘Roys design in the Heritage Round 20 match against Swans at the 2000 Olympics stadium at Homebush.

The club policy is to wear a Bears jumper for Gabba Heritage games, a Fitzroy jumper for Melbourne Heritage games, and alternate between the two if scheduled to play at venues away from their two ‘homes’.

Lions are part Victorian! (Monday 20th September 2004)

President of the Victorian Lions Supporters Group (VLSG) Sharon Torney said today that she hoped the media in Victoria would not be dragged into the hype of an "interstate" grand final.

"When the Bears and Fitzroy merged at the end of the 1996 season to form the Brisbane Lions, the rich Victorian heritage of Fitzroy became part of the Brisbane Lions. Along with that heritage also came the members and supporters. This was evident by the thousands of supporters who turned out Saturday night," said Torney.

"Whilst the events of 1996 divided Fitzroy supporters, those that have embraced the Brisbane Lions have been extremely satisfied over the past four seasons", Sharon said while queuing for grand final tickets at Federation Square. "In the Fitzroy days, I never thought that I would see a grand final with my beloved Lions playing, much less three premierships. Whatever the result, the football public will be watching history on Saturday. Hopefully it will be the Lions winning their fourth grand final, but if it isn't meant to be, then we'll be witnessing Port Adelaide's first premiership. We urge all Victorians to get behind the spirit of Fitzroy and support the Lions this weekend."

It was also heartening to finally read on the weekend comments from Wayne Jackson that it isn't the retention allowance that has seen the Lions make it to their fourth successive grand final. "I'm getting tired of hearing Eddie Maguire rolling out the inequity of the competition," said Sharon. "If it is the retention allowance, or salary cap concession that has meant the Lions have made it to their fourth grand final, the question has to be asked: Where is Sydney's dominance?

St Kilda and Geelong have both gone through the pain of rebuilding their lists over the past couple of years and it has paid off for them. They have recruited well and developed a real team. The salary cap isn't the reason why the Lions have done so well since 1999. It is recruitment, development and belief in each other."

The VLSG was formed in 1999 by a group of Fitzroy supporters who wanted a voice for the Victorian members of the Brisbane Lions. The group has raised various issues with both the Lions and the AFL in regards to Fitzroy. One of the main issues that unfortunately still has not been rectified is the current AFL policy in reporting the Brisbane Lions history as commencing in 1987 when the Bears entered the competition. The VLSG rejects the notion that the Lions began in 1987. The Group strongly believes that the Lions are a new club established in 1997, as a result of the merger between the Brisbane Bears and the Fitzroy Lions. "In one way it's fortunate this week that Port Adelaide is our Grand Final opponent." said Torney, "With both clubs entering the competition in 1997, at least some of the records reported in the media will in fact be correct, unlike the previous three years.

For the record, this week's Grand Final will be the Brisbane Lions' 195th match in the AFL. The Brisbane Bears played 222 matches in the AFL while Fitzroy played 1,928 matches.

The VLSG had the following letter published in the Melbourne Age on Tuesday

Caroline Wilson's article "The changing tide" (20/9) interviewed Ross Oakley and spoke about the Brisbane Lions as being an interstate club. He should know better than that, as
it was under his reign that the Brisbane Lions was created. The merger between the Bears and Fitzroy is how the Brisbane Lions came to be and many seem to have forgotten this over the past few years.

This weekend there will be only one truly interstate team running out onto the MCG, not two. We urge Victorians to embrace the heritage of the Lions and get behind them as they try to add another chapter to the history of our great game.

Jamie Charman wins 2003 VLSG Award

The Victorian Lions Supporters Group extend their congratulations to Brisbane Lions ruckman, Jamie Charman, who at the Brisbane Lions 2004 Melbourne Family Day was awarded the annual VLSG Award for "Best Young Player in Victorian Matches".

This is the third year that the VLSG have presented their Award at the Family Day. Previous winners have been Jonathan Brown in 2001 and Des Headland in 2002. To be eligible for the award, a Brisbane Lions player must be 23 years or younger and must have played 50 games or less at the beginning of the 2004 season.

After each Victorian match all financial VLSG members can mail in their votes to the Secretary, who will tally the votes and at the end of the season, announce the winner.

VLSG President Sharon Torney was on hand to present the Award to an appreciative Jamie Charman. Charman had an excellent season finishing Equal 10th in the Merrett-Murray Medal and establishing himself as one of the Lions' two main ruckmen which culminated in a Grand Final Appearance and of course a premiership.

The VLSG wishes Jamie Charman the best of luck for the 2004 season and of course being only 22 years of age and having only 48 games to his name at the start of Round 1 2004, Jamie is eligible to win the award for 2004 as well. However other notable young players such as Ashley McGrath, Richard Hadley and Jared Brennan will no doubt stake their own claims for this season.

Jamie Charman accepting the VLSG Award from President Sharon Torney.

• 2003 Player Statistics - Jamie Charman (matches in bold are where Jamie Charman picked up votes for the VLSG Award)
  

See the VLSG News Archive for previous news items on the VLSG

Fitzroy Reds win D2 Grand Final !

The Victorian Lions Supporters Group extend their congratulations to the Fitzroy Reds for two outstanding recent achievements.

Last weekend, Saturday 30th August saw the Fitzroy Reds senior team defeat Peninsula Old Boys in the 2003 D2 Grand Final. Peninsula OB went through the 2003 season without losing a game until their semi-final against the Reds. In blustery conditions the Reds players were outstanding putting their bodies on the line. The Grand Final appearance means that the Reds will be promoted to section D1. In 2001 the Reds were playing in D3 and after winning the premiership that year were promoted to D2. So after only their second year in D2 competition they are being promoted to D1.

The Fitzroy Reds have four teams. This season was the first year of competition for the Under 19 team who made the finals. Unfortunately they lost their game. The Club XVIII team are only in their second year of competition and were defeated in the 2003 Grand Final. The Reserves team also made the finals, but unfortunately lost their finals match.

The VLSG would like to wish the Reds good luck in the D2 Grand Final to be played on Saturday 13th September at Central Reserve, Glen Waverley. Their opponent will be decided this weekend when Peninsula OB takes on West Brunswick, the team the Reds played and defeated at the MCG.

The second achievement the Reds, and Fitzroy Juniors Football Club are to be congratulated on relates to a submission made to 2003 Victorian Sports and Recreation Industry Awards - Community Participation Initiatives section, titled "The Fitzroy Reds and Fitzroy Juniors - It's more than a game". The Reds and Fitzroy Juniors have been working at involving the local communities through encouraging kids in the housing commission high-rise estates in the Fitzroy and Carlton area to become involved in football. The establishment of the Fitzroy Reds Under 19 team was also part of this initiative. The team was established to help reduce the number of boys who play junior football but do not continue onto the adult competition. The Under 19 team saw the continuation of players from the Fitzroy Juniors Under 17 teams rise from 40% to 86%.

On Tuesday night, 2nd September the Fitzroy Reds and Fitzroy Juniors initiative was named joint winners of their category. This is a tremendous achievement by both clubs who are very much involved in their local communities.

'55-'74 Fitzroy jumper to grace MCG once again!

The Brisbane Lions have chosen to wear the Fitzroy jumper worn between 1956 and 1973 for their Heritage Round match against Collingwood at the MCG this Saturday afternoon.

The VLSG welcomes the decision by the Brisbane Lions, even though an online poll conducted by the Group, as well as an AFL website poll suggested that the last Fitzroy jumper was the jumper favored by the majority of Fitzroy supporters, as the one that the Brisbane Lions should wear.

However the last Fitzroy jumper will also make an appearance on the MCG this Saturday afternoon, as the curtain-raiser before the big match will feature the Fitzroy Reds, who wear the red, blue and gold of Fitzroy in it's final 22 years of participation in the AFL. The Fitzroy Reds, formerly the University Reds are now sponsored by the Fitzroy Football Club and still represent the suburb of Fitzroy as their football team. The Reds will be playing West Brunswick who wear Collingwood jumpers.

The VLSG has written to the Brisbane Lions congratulating them on this latest initiative to recognise the spirt of the merger by consenting to wear a distinctly recognisable Fitzroy jumper.

With a 39 point win over Collingwood in the main match and the Fitzroy Reds defeating West Brunswick the spirit of Fitzroy was certainly back in the AFL.

The Fitzroy jumper to be worn is the one pictured below (modelled by Brisbane Lions director and former Fitzroy player, Laurie Serafini)

It's official! Lions to wear Fitzroy jumper

Brad Fox, the manager of the Victorian operations of the Brisbane Lions has confirmed that the Brisbane Lions will wear the Fitzroy jumper in their Round 19 clash against Collingwood, but as yet it is unclear which Fitzroy guernsey will be worn.

Like the process of getting the Fitzroy Reds to play the curtain raiser on the MCG before the big match, the process towards the Lions wearing a Fitzroy jumper has been a long and slow one. .At the end of September AFL Football Operations Manager explained that "we may be asking all our clubs to wear their original guernseys and strips as was done in the 1997 Centenary Year. If that was the case, you might see Brisbane wearing the Fitzroy jumper in that round."

The Fitzroy Football Club now out of administration has stated on a number of occasions that the Brisbane Lions should consider wearing a Fitzroy jumper, if not solely to maintain the spirit of the "merger", but also as a way of raising money.

Various media pundits have speculated on whether the Lions would wear a Fitzroy jumper in the first place and if so, what sort it should be. As recently as three weeks ago Scot Palmer Punchlines in the Victorian Sunday Herald-Sun suggested that the jumper that would be worn would be early 20th century version of maroon with gold shoulders and yokes.

It now appears that the jumper chosen will be one of the last three versions worn by Fitzroy. A poll is being run by the VLSG asking which jumper Brisbane Lions members, Fitzroy members and the general public would like to see the Brisbane Lions wear. The results of our poll will be forwarded onto the Brisbane Lions. Vote by clicking on the icon below. Please note that you can only vote once, and the IP of each vote is recorded for verification purposes. An image of each of the three jumpers appears below.

The poll closes on Friday 18th July, with the results presented to the Brisbane Lions shortly after.

Fitzroy to play on MCG once again!

The Victorian Lions Supporters Group welcomes the decision made by the AFL to allow the Fitzroy Reds to play on the MCG in the curtain raiser for the Brisbane Lions vs. Collingwood Round 19 clash on Saturday August 19th.

The process of getting to the stage where a D grade Amateur side from the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA) has been a long one. At the end of September AFL Football Operations Manager explained that "we may be asking all our clubs to wear their original guernseys and strips as was done in the 1997 Centenary Year. If that was the case, you might see Brisbane wearing the Fitzroy jumper in that round,”

While the idea of Brisbane wearing Fitzroy jumpers in the seniors is, at the time of writing still on hold, the Fitzroy Reds, who do wear the old Fitzroy jumper approached Collingwood FC, the Brisbane Lions and AFL to seek
permission to play a curtain raiser match before the Collingwood v Brisbane
Lions match round 19, Saturday 9 August at the MCG.All entities have given their approval to that curtain-raiser taking place. The VAFA board last night (5th May) approved the match taking place at the MCG in that particular round.

The Reds play in a Fitzroy jumper and would be playing against West Brunswick who play in a Collingwood jumper. As Round 19 has been designated by the AFL as a foundation round asking all clubs to wear jumpers from a past era. The Reds match would give Collingwood
and Lions fans an opportunity to see the return of a curtain raiser match as in the tradition of watching the Reserves.

The Victorian Lions Supporters Group was asked to throw their support behind the venture and after several discussions with the VLSG Executive, several letters from the VLSG were sent off to all three entities, as well as the VAFA board, supporting the idea and urging its implementation.

The VLSG made several important points in its' letters of support. The Executive Commitee believed that it was a fantastic opportunity, especially for the Lions fans, to see the FFC jumper once again on the MCG, whether or not the Brisbane Lions themselves wear a Fitzroy jumper for that same match. It is also an opportunity to for the VAFA and the Fitzroy Reds to become known to thousands of football followers who might not otherwise know that the competition or the club even existed. Most importantly this is yet another example of the Brisbane Lions re-inforcing the links with the Fitzroy Football Club and the traditions and heritage for which the old club represents. The VLSG now is anticipating a decision by the Brisbane Lions whether or not to wear the Fitzroy jumper in Round 19.

Not good enough! 30/3/03

The Victorian Lions Supporters Group has made an official protest to Channel 10, Channel 9, Foxtel and the AFL on the recent poor coverage of Brisbane Lions Wizard Cup matches for Victorian fans.

VLSG President Sharon Torney said the VLSG found it extremely puzzling that in Round one of the Wizard Cup saw the Adelaide v Port Adelaide match broadcast free to air in place of the Brisbane Lions v Sydney Swans match at Stadium Australia which appeared only on Pay TV. "Why did Channel 10 broadcast a game between two South Australian clubs instead of a game between two clubs that have very strong supporter bases in all three eastern mainland states?"

"Not only that, but the Brisbane Lions vs. Geelong match also did not find it's way to free to air TV in the eastern states. Channel 9 showed live the Melbourne v Kangaroos match Saturday at 6:30pm followed by their cricket World Cup obligations, which meant the Lions match was not shown free to air. What stopped Channel 10 broadcasting live the Brisbane Lions v Geelong game out of Cairns at 8:30 instead of it being on Foxtel?"

The VLSG has yet again reminded the AFL and the TV Consortium that Brisbane Lions and Sydney Swans are exceptions to the general state of the non-Victorian clubs. They both have a very strong supporter base in two states. Interest in this match amongst the many former Fitzroy and South Melbourne supporters would have been extremely high. Added to this interest of course is that the Brisbane Lions are the current reigning premiers.

Given all these reasons and not least the promises made to former Fitzroy supporters, at the time of the merger in 1996, that they could see their team most weekends on free-to-air TV, the VLSG asks yet again why the club, especially as dual premiers, doesn't get a little more support from the electronic media.

The VLSG President also stated that the VLSG is committed to following this, and other issues concerning the Victorian members of the Brisbane Lions. "The recording of the Fitzroy and Brisbane Lions records by various bodies is becoming a real issue again and we have received quite a few messages indicating people's displeasure with what is going on. Rest assured we are tackling this issue, as well as the TV one."

Torney reiterated that it was important that people who are concerned about these and other issues concerning Fitzroy and the Brisbane Lions, to throw their support behind the VLSG and join as a 2003 member. "As well as being part of a strengthening voice for Victorian supporters the VLSG this
year is looking at increasing the number of social get togethers. For example members can vote for the Best Young Player in each Victorian match, and can also receive some great prizes via the player sponsorship, we take out each year."

Renewal 2003 memberships have now been posted to all 2002 members. Any new members can download the membership, print it out and send it to the address on the form, for the very small fee of $10. (If you wish to be part of the player sponsorship and be eligible for some great prizes, then there is another $10 fee on top of the base membership. $20 all up for the year.

VLSG shapes up for 2003 season.

It's been a quiet off-season for most (except Carlton supporters), although there are several issues regarding the Lions that will no doubt rear their heads once again in 2003. The VLSG has for the last three years been at the forefront of the battle to have the various media outlets, as well as the AFL, recognise the Brisbane Lions records properly, as beginning in 1997...not 1987. Other issues that the VLSG has tackled in past years has been the recognition of Fitzroy in the new Brisbane Lions, as well as the television coverage of Lions' matches and the number of Brisbane Lions Victorian matches. There have been a number of pleasing developments on these fronts including the possibility that the Lions will wear the Fitzroy guernsey in Round 19 against Collingwood, as well as the AFL drawing the Lions to play seven times in Victoria for the 2003 season. The Lions records remain a problem and the VLSG will again be urging the AFL to recognise the spirit of the Bears-Fitzroy merger and adopt some consistency in their referrals of the merger.

Congratulations to Peter Olm who won the Chris Johnson framed photograph. This along with several other benefits was the result of the VLSG taking out player sponsorship of Chris in 2002. Congratulations must also go to VLSG members Greg Griffett and Cataldo Mase who also had the opportunity to go into the players rooms before the match, again as a result of our player sponsorship. Once again the Executive Committee has recommended that the VLSG undertake player sponsorship for 2003 and a short list of six Brisbane Lions players has been recommended, for VLSG members to vote on. Those VLSG members who elect to take out the $20.00 player sponsorship membership option forthe VLSG for 2003, will be eligible for:

• An exclusive invitation for each Player’s Club Member to visit the Official Brisbane Lions Change Room for the Pre-Match Warm Up at a designated Lions game in Melbourne
• An originally signed and framed action photograph of their sponsored player suitable for display in your home or office.
• Two (2) tickets to an exclusive Players Club Only Grand Final experience at the MCG, includes finger food, guest speaker, beverages, Tour of the Rooms and a walk on the MCG.

The VLSG also are the sponsors of the "Best Young Player in Victorian matches award", which is awarded to the best young Brisbane Lions player best in the 7-8 Victorian matches, as adjudged by our members. Lions players eligible for the award in 2003 must be 23 years or younger at the commencement of Round 1 and must not have played any more than 50 senior games at that time. 2002's award recepient will be announced at the Victorian Brisbane Lions' family day, the date of which is yet to be announced. Again VLSG members will be urged to vote for the award.

Survey - The VLSG Executive Committee is extremely interested in the feedback of the members on where they want the VLSG to proceed in the future. To that end a survey has been posted to every 2002 member. All members are urged to return the survey by January 31st in the stamped return envelope. Your feedback will be invaluable. Likewise an online form has been posted here, so members and indeed other interested people can also have their say.

The Website: The website has been 'tidied' up for the 2003 season. Links have been checked to see if they are working..hopefully now all are OK....and some of the interface has been changed. We aim to report fully on the Lions and Reds progress during the 2003 season. We'd certainly encourage any VLSG member who wishes to write a preview or review of Lions' or Reds matches for the website to drop us a line. Any contributions are gratefully received. We also hope to have some new features such as polls etc. on as well. Until then the VLSG E*group will be our main way of sending messages to our members.

VLSG Gears Up for Grand Final.

Chris Johnson confirmed as 2002 sponsored player at VLSG Annual General Meeting

Jonathan Brown wins VLSG 'Victorian Young Player of the Year' Award

Young Brisbane dynamo, Jonathan Brown has won the VLSG Award for 'Best Young Brisbane Lions Player in Victorian Matches'. All 2001 VLSG members were able to vote for the young player they felt performed the best in each game played in Victoria, including any finals in Season 2001.

The award was presented to Jonathan on Sunday 17th March at the Brisbane Lions Family Day at the Brunswick St. Oval by Acting President of the VLSG, Stuart Potter on behalf of all VLSG Members.