The early to mid nineteen hundreds produced some of games greatest ever players and will be one of the most difficult eras from which to choose only two 'Kings of the Pride'.

In 1931, Haydn Bunton became the first player to win a Brownlow Medal in his first season of VFL and went on to win a second the following year. He continued his dominance of the VFL competition by winning an unprecedented third Brownlow Medal in 1935.

In fact, Fitzroy produced four Brownlow Medallists during this era including Bunton (1931, 1932, 1935), Dinny Ryan (1936), Wilfred ‘Chicken’ Smallhorn (1933) and Alan Ruthven (1950).

Fitzroy also experienced some wholesale changes in this time. They were nicknamed the ‘Gorillas’ in 1939 and included a blue FFC monogram on their jumper three years later.

The club won its eighth VFL premiership in 1944 with a 15-point win over Richmond. It was Fitzroy’s last ever premiership before merging with the Brisbane Bears in 1997.

A young 13-year old boy by the name of Kevin Murray began his career with Fitzroy’s under 19’s team in 1952. He became the club’s youngest ever best and fairest winner four years later at the ripe old age of 17. As he had only just commenced his football career at this time, he is ineligible for this particular period.

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The Brisbane Lions Football Club in conjunction with the Fitzroy-Brisbane Lions Historical Society and the Fitzroy-Brisbane Past Players and Officials Association will host one of the largest reunions of VFL/AFL players ever at the Melbourne Convention Centre on Saturday 11 August 2007 from 7pm.

The Kings of the Pride reunion function will acknowledge all current and past players of this great club.

Every person who has played a senior match with Fitzroy, the Brisbane Bears or the Brisbane Lions has been invited to attend this historic dinner.

Now members and supporters are invited to take a trip down memory lane with some of their all-time favourite players and catch up with some of the current Lions stars.

The event will identify the ten best players from each of the club's main eras as voted by the players themselves. These ten players will be decided from the following categories:

1897 - 1926 (Fitzroy) - two players
1927 - 1956 (Fitzroy) - two players
1957 - 1966 (Fitzroy)
1967 - 1976 (Fitzroy)
1977 - 1986 (Fitzroy)
1987 - 1996 (Fitzroy)
1987 - 1996 (Brisbane Bears)
1997 - 2006 (Brisbane Lions)

Each week the Brisbane Lions are offering club members and supporters an opportunity to win a copy of Jim Main's soon-to-be released Fitzroy book.

Last week’s winner was David Wallace of Reservoir who nominated his best Fitzroy players of the 1897 - 1926 period.

To enter this week's draw, simply nominate which two Fitzroy players you believe should be the Kings of the Pride for the period between 1927 and 1956 by emailing their names and your contact details to melbourne@lions.com.au. One entrant will be selected each week as the lucky Fitzroy book winner and they will go into the draw to win a free double pass to the Kings of the Pride reunion event which includes fine foods, beverages and a great night's entertainment.

We have listed some of Fitzroy’s most notable players from this era to assist your decision-making:

Haydn Bunton (c) (bf) (g) (b) – 119 games, 209 goals (1931 – 37, 1942)
Frank Curcio (c) – 249 games, 17 goals (1932 – 36, 1938 - 43)
Jack Moriarty (c) (g) – 167 games, 626 goals (1924 – 1933)
Allan Ruthven (c) (bf) (g) (b) (p) – 222 games, 442 goals (1940 – 54)
Dinny Ryan (g) (b) (p) – 70 games, 65 goals (1935 – 39)
Wilfred ‘Chicken’ Smallhorn (b) – 150 games, 31 goals (1930 – 1940)
Len Smith – 76 games, 52 goals (1937 – 43, 1945)*
Bill Stephen (c) – 162 games, 4 goals (1947 – 57)

(c) = club captain
(bf) = club best and fairest
(g) = leading goalkicker
(b) = Brownlow medallist
(p) = premiership player
* coach of the Team of our Century

Tickets for the Kings of the Pride reunion are on sale now:

Supporters ticket: $170pp
Supporters table of 10 people: $1,700
Gold ticket - seated at a front table with two current players: $230pp
Gold table of 8 people - plus two current players: $1,840

Please contact the Victorian office on (03) 8850 5600 to book or for more information. Good luck and Go Lions!!!