Brisbane Lions

The Brisbane Lions are an Australian Rules football team that competes in the elite Australian Football League (AFL) competition, as part of a 1997 merger between the Fitzroy Lions and the Brisbane Bears (who themselves joined in 1987). They won 3 premierships from 2001-2003 inclusive, during a time in which the team had a higher salary cap than other clubs, due to the perception that it was more expensive to live in Brisbane than anywhere else. From 2004, they have had the same salary cap as other clubs. They have produced 2 Brownlow medal winners, namely Jason Akermanis and Simon Black, both during their premiership years. They are the only Australian Rules football side in Queensland, which is a state that is considered to be a Rugby League state, as Australian Rules football is not followed heavily in Queensland. From 2011, they will be joined by the Gold Coast Suns.