This year our club celebrates 25 years since our fourth Premiership in 1999.

The official club portrait was headed 'Team of the Nineties' and that encapsulated the success of the club in that era.

After our Grand Final victory in 1996 and receiving the only ever gold AFL Premiership Cup, we then endured the bitter disappointment of our 1998 loss, so it was a credit to Denis Pagan and the players that they bounced back and were successful in 1999. 

After a very slow start to the season where we lost three of the first four games, we then won 19 of the remaining 21 games to be crowned premiers.

It’s worth recognising that of the 34 players who wore our guernsey for the year, 17 played in 20 or more games of the 25-game season, which is great recognition of the club's medical and strength and conditioning team at the time. 

Unfortunately, many of the wonderful 'behind the scenes' people who were so integral and influential in creating a great culture and environment that enabled the players to be successful have now passed.

So, while we will enjoy celebrating our 1999 team, we also should remember those who contributed to its success. 

As Denis always has said: "it’s the people that make our club great".