Black tip for Lions award

BRISBANE'S gun onballer Simon Black, runner-up in this season's Brownlow Medal, is the hot tip to win his fourth Lions best and fairest award. The Lions should lock away the key signature of their captain before Saturday's gala function. Black had another stellar season for the Lions and was the Brownlow leader until he was pipped at the post by eventual winner Adam Cooney in the final round. He will trail new coach and five-time winner Michael Voss by one Merrett-Murray Medal if he wins, having previously claimed the award in the premiership years of 2001 and '02, and again in 2006. Black's strongest opposition is expected to come from co-captains Luke Power and Jonathan Brown, and gun forward Daniel Bradshaw. Black's management group yesterday confirmed its client was happy with the new deal, believed to be for two years,... [read full story]