On the 10th anniversary of the merger between the Fitzroy Football Club and the Brisbane Bears to form the Brisbane Lions, the Victorian Lions Supporters Group would like to endorse the words by Michael Voss in his recent column "Merger far better than extinction" (25th June 2006). Like Michael Voss, the VLSG finds it somewhat bewildering on how the AFL and the media can refer repeatedly to the 'merger' yet steadfastly refuse to acknowledge the wishes of the Brisbane Lions on how it recognises the records of the Brisbane Lions. Surely if a merger took place, then the Brisbane Lions are a new club that began in 1997 and all records should be counted from that time.

It is our strong view that the AFL should adopt the attitude of the Brisbane Lions in regards to the recognition of records. All Brisbane Bears and Fitzroy Football Club records should be ruled off from the end of 1996, except in the case of former Fitzroy or Brisbane Bears players who have a continued playing record with the Brisbane Lions. Their respective Fitzroy and Bears records should be included. Michael Voss therefore would have played 280 games for the Brisbane Lions which includes his games for the Bears and Chris Johnson would have played 250 games for the Brisbane Lions, which includes his 59 games for Fitzroy.

The Lions are recognising the spirit of the merger year after year in relation to new game records and it is a pity that the AFL cannot follow suit, particularly as they were the ones who orchestrated the merger in the first place. We find it particularly offensive that Brisbane Bears records are included by the AFL in Brisbane Lions records, but Fitzroy records are not. We find this even more puzzling considering that from 1997 to1999 AFL records regarded the Brisbane Bears and the Brisbane Lions as separate clubs.

We once again call upon the AFL to finally support the spirit of the merger and change their stance and late 1999 decision in regard to the recognition of Brisbane Lions records and either include Fitzroy's VFL-AFL records back to 1897, or more logically alter their existing records to begin all Brisbane Lions records in 1997, giving the players of continuing service the recognition they deserve and are entitled to.

For further information contact:
Sharon Torney, President 0414 837 377