When Jared Polec runs out onto the MCG this Sunday, he will become the 43rd player in the Club’s joint 115-year history to don the number 4 guernsey in a senior match.

The number 4 guernsey has a proud history at the Lions, having previously been worn by the likes of triple premiership player Craig McRae, Fitzroy Best and Fairest winner Ross Thornton, Bears Best and Fairest winner John Gastev and Brownlow Medallist Denis ‘Dinny’ Ryan.

A full list of the players who have worn the number 4 guernsey for the Club have been listed below.

Polec was drafted to the Lions with the Club’s first selection (Pick No.5 overall) at last year’s NAB AFL National Draft.

It was only the second time in 15 National Draft’s that the Lions have had Pick No.5 overall at their disposal, and history has proven kind to the Club with this particular selection in the past.

The only other time the merged Lions have used Pick No.5 was back in 1997 when they drafted a cheeky young midfielder from the Oakleigh Chargers by the name of Luke Power.

Interestingly, the number 5 draft pick used on Power was received by the Lions as part of a trade deal that saw Adrian Fletcher head to Fremantle. The more recent number 5 draft pick that secured Polec was also received as part of a trade deal - this time from the Gold Coast in exchange for Jared Brennan.

Tom Rockliff is the only other player to have arrived on the Lions’ senior list with Pick No.5, however that was via the 2008 Pre-Season Draft - not the National Draft.

That said, Polec will be out to make his own history with the Brisbane Lions starting from this Sunday at the MCG and the entire Club - on behalf of its members and supporters - congratulates him on his senior debut game.

Most Club games in the number 4 Fitzroy/Bears/Lions guernsey:

Craig McRAE (Bears/Lions) - 195
Ross THORNTON (Fitzroy) - 131
John GASTEV (Bears) - 94
Jack GERVASONI (Fitzroy) - 89
Horrie JENKIN (Fitzroy) - 89
Stephen PAXMAN (Fitzroy) - 86
Denis RYAN (Fitzroy) - 70
Geoff RAINES (Bears) - 59
Doug SEARL (Fitzroy) - 59
Travis JOHNSTONE (Lions) - 49
Graham GOTCH (Fitzroy) - 39
Barry McKENZIE (Fitzroy) - 38
Lindsay DYRING (Fitzroy) - 28
Tom HEANEY (Fitzroy) - 28
Ben FIXTER (Lions) - 27
Mick HUGHSON (Fitzroy) - 20
Jim MARTIN (Fitzroy) - 18
Norm W. SMITH (Fitzroy) - 17
Norm COCKRAM (Fitzroy) - 15
Greg PARKE (Fitzroy) - 15
Ian POWELL (Fitzroy) - 15
Ken VEEVERS (Fitzroy) - 15
Terry O'MARA (Fitzroy) - 15
George L. CHAPMAN (Fitzroy) - 13
Norm STOTT (Fitzroy) - 12
Jim W. BROWN (Fitzroy) - 9
Reg CARR (Fitzroy) - 9
Kevin FOX (Fitzroy) - 6
George WATSON (Fitzroy) - 4
Dennis HALL (Fitzroy) - 4
Norm BARKER (Fitzroy) - 3
Dave CRONE (Fitzroy) - 3
Jim STEIGENBERGER (Fitzroy) - 3
Arthur WILLIAMS (Fitzroy) - 3
Tom LOGAN (Lions) - 3
Graham BUX (Fitzroy) - 2
Harry COLLINS (Fitzroy) - 2
Kevin W. PARKER (Fitzroy) - 2
Craig EVANS (Bears) - 2
Jim PORTER (Fitzroy) - 2
Roger DELANEY (Fitzroy) - 1
Frank O'KEEFE (Fitzroy) - 1