By the end of 1922, the Roys had stamped themselves as the League powerhouse having won seven premierships from 11 Grand Final appearances – a record that was the envy of rivals such as Collingwood, Carlton and Essendon.
And such is the case with any champion team; Fitzroy boasted a number of champion players – each of whom played key roles in some of the most successful periods in the Club’s history.
During this time when Fitzroy was regarded as the competition benchmark, the Hall of Fame Selection Committee believed four individuals stood out from the rest in terms of their longevity in the game, service to the Club, and individual brilliance.
George Holden, Bill Walker, Len Wigraft, and Harold ‘Lal’ McLennan might not share the same profile as some of the more contemporary Fitzroy, Bears and Lions inductees, but their records stack up against the best of them.
All four of the 2014 Hall of Fame inductees played in at least one premiership, spent a period of time as Club Captain, and won at least one Best and Fairest award – which is considered the trifecta in terms of overall Club achievements.
Unfortunately many of those who had the pleasure of watching these fine players first hand are no longer with us, which means these fine players are often consigned to the history books.
But their legacy will now live on forever following their induction into the Brisbane Lions Hall of Fame.
Wigraft was represented on the night by his daughter Lorraine Leahy, while Lal McLennan’s granddaughter Barbara Murphy received the honour on his behalf.
Despite an exhaustive search, no details of living descendants could be found for either George Holden or Bill Walker, so their medals were presented to Historical Society Custodian Arthur Wilson.
They will now be placed on permanent display inside the Historical Society Museum at Etihad Stadium, or until claimed by their rightful owner.
