Kings of the Pride competition (1987 – 1996) - Bears

A new era in Australian Football was born when the Brisbane Bears stepped onto the MCG against North Melbourne on Friday 27 March 1987.

A team branded 'misfits and 'rejects’ took on the powerful Kangaroos and, against overwhelming odds, triumphed by 33 points.

It was an unforgettable post-match scene as 20 players and a largely inexperienced coaching staff, administration and support staff clutched pieces of paper carrying the words to the new club song.

It was a fairytale beginning for a side which would beat Geelong at Kardinia Park the following week before the thunderous reality of League football hit home in the following years.

The Brisbane Bears’ ten years existence saw a number of jumper design changes, mixed results on the field and a move from Carrara to the Gabba.

The Bears experienced Finals for the first time in 1995 before mounting a serious challenge for the premiership in 1996. That same year, a young midfielder by the name of Michael Voss won a Brownlow Medal at the age of 21.

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.

To enter this week's draw, simply nominate which Brisbane Bears player you believe should be the King of the Pride for the period between 1987 and 1996 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.

Last week’s winner was Stuart Potter who nominated his best Fitzroy player of the 1977 – 1986 period.

We have listed some of the Bears’ most notable players from the 1987 – 1996 era to assist your decision-making:

Roger Merrett (c) (g) – 164 games, 287 goals (1988 – 96)
John Gastev (bf) – 113 games, 41 goals (1989 – 94)
Michael McLean (bf) – 88 games, 17 goals (1991 – 97)
Brad Hardie – 101 games, 192 goals (1987 – 91)
Richard Champion – 183 games, 80 goals (1991 – 2000)
Marcus Ashcroft – 318 games, 145 goals (1989 – 2003)
Scott McIvor (bf) – 200 games, 96 goals (1985 – 97)

(c) = club captain
(bf) = club best and fairest
(g) = leading goalkicker
(b) = brownlow medal

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!!!