Ross Thornton has been elected to the Brisbane Lions’ Board of Directors following a member vote that also saw the Club’s four incumbents – Leigh Matthews, Mick Power, Andrew Wellington, and Peter McGregor – re-elected with overwhelming support.

Thornton, a former best and fairest winner with Fitzroy, becomes the second Life Member to sit on the current Board along with three-time premiership coach Matthews.

Along with his glowing football resume, which includes 146 senior games (from 1980-89) and a brief coaching stint with Fitzroy, Thornton has proven just as successful in business having spent the past 17 years with McDonald’s. He currently operates two restaurants – one in Keysborough and one in Parkmore.

Thornton’s election means that the Club now boasts two Melbourne-based Directors, with McGregor the other representative of the Lions’ Victorian members.

All ballot papers received prior to the 5pm deadline on Monday 15 December were counted by independent returning officer, KPMG.

The five elected Board positions will be formalised at tomorrow night’s Annual General Meeting at the Gabba from 7pm.

The Brisbane Lions congratulates each of the newly elected Board members and wishes to extend its thanks to the unsuccessful nominees for showing such a tremendous commitment towards the Club.

Details of the vote count as advised by KPMG are as follows:

Leigh Matthews – 1,318 votes
Mick Power AM – 1,247 votes
Andrew Wellington – 1,173 votes
Peter McGregor – 1,117 votes     
Ross Thornton – 667 votes
Filipo Di Bella – 375 votes
James Kliemt – 330 votes
Julie Greenwood – 243 votes
Christopher Raleigh – 134 votes