Martin Pike was inducted as a Life Member of the Lions at their Club Champion Awards last month.

In 2000, the Lions drafted the former Fitzroy best and fairest as a mature-age recruit.

After previous stints at Melbourne, Fitzroy, and North Melbourne, some believed that Pike might have been past his prime.

But he proved that his best was still to come, and went on to play 106 matches in five seasons with the merged Lions to take his career tally to 247.

More importantly, Pike’s recruitment directly coincided with the Lions’ historic hat-trick of premierships – and the South Australian played a key role in each of them.

Watch: Martin Pike's Highlights

Pike said he was honoured to receive the award.

“It means so much when you’ve played at a few clubs to actually find a real home.

“I’ve always said I was a Brisbane Lions man and now it’s actually confirmed”, he said.

“When you think of the three flags we were able to achieve in that time, they were great days, they were the glory days.

“If I was to leave one message to the current playing list – you are in your glory days right now, make the most of it.

“It wasn’t a great season but you can get back next year and you never know you might be like the West Coast Eagles and play off in finals.”

Pike offered the support of the Lions’ former players in his parting note.

“All past players who aren’t coaching against you are definitely behind you, so good luck with your journey in football.”