Two days after announcing he'll be leaving Brisbane for the Gold Coast Suns, Michael Rischitelli has won the Merrett-Murray Medal for the Lions' best and fairest player.
In a very close count, Rischitelli edged out Brownlow Medalist Simon Black and captain Jonathan Brown to become just the eighth player to win the club's top prize since the medal was renamed in 1996.
An emotional Rischitelli paid tribute his team-mates in his acceptance speech and has no hard feelings towards the Lions.
"I didn't think it was going to be this hard," he said.
"There'll always be a spot in my heart for the club and I want to wish the boys the best of luck in 2011."
"It's (Gold Coast decision) obviously been playing on my mind a little bit. The main reason I came out to announce it a few days ago was because of how the guys supported me through my footy. The announcement was for you guys. I thank you from the bottom of my heart."
The 24-year-old polled 37.5 votes to finish three clear of Black (34.5) who finished runner-up for the third successive year with Brown a further six votes back (28.5).
Veteran Luke Power finished fourth, while teenager Jack Redden capped off a fine year with a top-five finish.
Rischitelli was one of just six Lions to play every game for the club this year and led the club in kicks, handballs, marks and contested possessions.
Black may have finished second for the fourth time in his career but there was still some joy for the veteran as he was named the Players' Player of the Year and the Courier-Mail Player of the Year.
In other awards, Daniel Merrett took out the Most Professional Player award,
Brown won the Most Courageous Player awards and Tom Rockliff edged out fellow 2010 AFL Rising Star nominees Redden and Todd Banfield for the honour of rookie of the year.
Lions B&F Top 10
1st: Michael Rischitelli - 37.5
2nd: Simon Black - 34.5
3rd: Jonathan Brown - 28.5
4th: Luke Power - 27.5
5th: Jack Redden - 26.5
6th: Ashley McGrath - 25.5
7th: Brent Staker - 25.0
8th: Daniel Rich - 24.5
9th: Matthew Leuenberger - 24.0
10th: Todd Banfield - 23.5