Three-time premiership Lion Chris Johnson has been elevated to his former club's board.
On Wednesday, Brisbane - whose men's side are chasing redemption for a narrow loss in last year's grand final when they meet the Sydney Swans at the MCG on Saturday - announced Johnson as a replacement for long-serving board member and 1984 Fitzroy Brownlow medalist Ross Thornton, who passed away earlier this year.
Johnson's pedigree has holdings in both pieces of the Lions' club identity.
At barely 20 and after three seasons, he was one of a handful of players to cross from Fitzroy when the club merged with the Brisbane Bears at the end of the 1996 season.
Johnson played 59 senior games for the Roys before contributing to each of Brisbane's three consecutive premiership successes in the early 2000s.
He played more than 200 games for the club post-merger, serving as co-captain for the 2007 season.
"Being appointed a Director for the Lions is a real full circle moment for me," Johnson said.
"From being drafted to Fitzroy and playing my first game at age 17, to being a part of the team that achieved the three-peat, the club has been a huge part of my life.
"So to now be involved as a director is a new challenge and a role I'm really looking forward to."
Upon retiring at the end of the 2007 season Johnson had earned two All-Australian blazers and selection in the AFL's Indigenous Team of the Century - announced in 2005.
"Chris has been around the club for nearly three decades and has a great connection with Fitzroy and pride in the club's Victorian heritage," Lions chair Andrew Wellington said.
"He's worn the Fitzroy guernsey on 59 occasions and was a key part of the triple Premiership success running out in Lions colours following the merger for a further 205 games.
"He has served the game in a variety of roles through his work in the AFL and has terrific knowledge of our talent pathways and community football.
"With his understanding of our club, our history and his experiences outside of football I know he will be an asset to the Board and club for years to come."
Johnson was recently immortalised in the streets of Fitzroy on the bricks of Lions supporter bar the Royal Derby Hotel, joining club legends Jonathan Brown and Kevin 'Bulldog' Murray who also feature in the mural.
