The 2026 Hall of Fame ceremony, held in Melbourne this evening, for the first time since 2019, was attended by over 500 people who saw former players Percy Trotter, Len Smith, Owen Abrahams, Michael Conlan, Scott Clayton, Scott McIvor, Tim Notting and Brad Scott all inducted into the Lions Hall of Fame.
Throughout the Club’s combined history – born from Fitzroy and the Bears – the Brisbane Lions have produced some of the game’s most celebrated figures.
The Hall of Fame recognises and enshrines the most outstanding players, coaches, administrators, and other notable contributors across the Club’s merged VFL/AFL history. Inductees are selected by an independent selection committee.
Brisbane Lions Chairman, Andrew Wellington said the club’s Hall of Fame event both honours our rich history and celebrates the club we have now become.
“Our heritage is unique, with Fitzroy, the Bears and the Lions all a significant story in our shared history.
“It is both 30 years since the club, as we now know it was formed, with the Fitzroy Lions and Brisbane Bears officially merging in 1996.
“It is 40 years, since the Brisbane Bears were granted a licence to play in the VFL, but we have a rich history dating back 140 years across two states, from Brunswick Street to the Gabba.
“I am proud, that as a club we all work together and can celebrate the contribution everyone has made to create this unique entity that we all know, love and cheer on each weekend.
“I congratulate each of our inductees for their contributions to the game and their individual honours.
“Each are well deserved in their own right and it has been a pleasure to hear their stories this evening and celebrate their achievements.”
Walls was inducted to the Brisbane Lions Hall of Fame in 2019 and is now the seventh club legend. He is one of only three people in the history of the V/AFL to be appointed a Legend at two clubs after being elevated as a Legend at Carlton back in 2011.
BRISBANE LIONS 2026 HALL OF FAME LEGEND
Robert Walls
It was a sad, sad moment on 15 May 2025 when football lost one of the all-time greats to cancer … Robert Walls.
A champion player and inspirational captain, an astute and revolutionary coach and a fearless and insightful commentator and a great, great man, a member of the Australian Hall of Fame and a champion of Carlton, Fitzroy and Brisbane.
Debuting at 16, he played 218 games with Carlton from 1967-78 for three premierships and 41 games for Fitzroy from 1978-80.
He coached Fitzroy from 1981-85 and Carlton from 1986-89, winning the flag in 1987, before a move that changed football in Queensland.
He was lured north to coach the Brisbane Bears and after a role in the club’s overdue relocation from Carrara to the Gabba he took the fledgling club from also-rans to the finals for the first time, and to the edge of greatness.
From 1991-95 he debuted no less than 10 members of the great Brisbane Lions side of 2001-02-03 and was a much-loved and much-admired father figure, friend and mentor to the players of his era.
Also, coach at Richmond and the Victorian State coach, a member of the Carlton Team of the Century and a Carlton Hall of Fame Legend, he endured and enjoyed 31 years and 606 games at the elite level.
He loved the Lions on both sides of the Murray and followed with pride and passion the club’s fortunes to the very end.
Inducted to the Brisbane Lions Hall of Fame in 2019 and the now the seventh legend in this illustrious group after Haydn Bunton, Kevin Murray and Garry Wilson, Michael Voss, Simon Black and Jonathan Brown, Robert Walls.
BRISBANE LIONS 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Percy Trotter
One of AFL’s early greats, Percy Trotter was a goal-kicking rover who played 109 games with Fitzroy from 1901-06 for 145 goals. A key in the 1904-05 premierships, club champion in 1903 and four-times leading goal-kicker, he was the 1906 ‘Champion of the Colony’ – a forerunner to the Brownlow Medal. A member of the Fitzroy Team of the Century.
Len Smith
Coach of the Fitzroy Team of the Century, Len Smith was the older brother of AFL Hall of Fame legend Norm Smith. He played 76 games for Fitzroy from 1937-45 and coached Fitzroy from 1958-62, winning the 1959 night premiership after an Under 19s flag. Victorian coach in 1961 and later coach at Richmond, he was described by Ron Barassi as the ‘father of the modern football.’
Owen Abrahams
A member of the Fitzroy Team of the Century, Owen Abrahams was a quick, elusive half forward who played 132 games from 1954-62 for 232 goals – 15th on the all-time Fitzroy list. A 1958 All-Australian and 1959 night premiership player, he captained the club in his last year and later served as Fitzroy treasurer.
Michael Conlan
A block-busting, high-flying, goal-kicking excitement machine from Canberra, Mick Conlan played 210 games for 395 goals for Fitzroy from 1977-89 . He’s 11th on the club games list, 7th for goals. A member of the Fitzroy Team of the Century, and a 1978 night premiership player who represented both Victoria and the ACT.
Scott Clayton
A tough-as-nails tagger from Tasmania, Scott Clayton is a five-star Lions on two fronts – a great player at Fitzroy and a recruiting genius at Brisbane. He played 160 games for Fitzroy from 1981-90, was club champion in his last year, and vice-captain of the Tasmanian side that beat Victoria. Lured to Brisbane by Robert Walls, he built much of the great team of 2001-02-03. Awarded AFL life membership in March.
Scott McIvor
A 200-game Queenslander who walked both sides of the merger street, Scott McIvor played 55 games for Fitzroy from 1985-87 and 145 for Brisbane from 1988-1997. Fitzroy club champion in ’87, he finished top 10 in the B&F eight times and represented Queensland and Victoria. A Lions premiership assistant-coach in 2001, and a member of the Queensland Team of the Century and the Queensland Football Hall of Fame.
Tim Notting
A product of Stawell, Tim Notting was a tall utility player of the highest order, deployed primarily on the wing. He played 208 games and kicked 138 goals with Brisbane from 1998-2009, including the 2001-02 premierships and an unforgettable six goals in a game on the MCG in ‘99. An important leader in the post-premiership era.
Brad Scott
Twin brother of 2019 Lions Hall of Fame inductee Chris Scott, Brad Scott chose to be a Lion, engineering a trade to Brisbane in 1998 after 22 games at Hawthorn. He played 146 games for the club through until 2006, including the 2001-02 flags, but missed the hat-trick with a broken leg. An ever-combative type and a hugely-respected leader who has forged a wonderful career in coaching and football administration.
