Justin Lepptisch’s coaching career looks to be circling the drain after the Brisbane Lions announced on Sunday morning that they will conduct a review into his position as senior coach at the end of the season.
“The club will stick to the path that it has outlined in recent weeks, which is that Justin is contracted until the end of 2017 and as such, he will coach the remaining three games before being reviewed once the season is over,” said Lions chairman Bob Sharpless.
The news comes after the Lions coughed up their worst loss of the year – no small feat, as they’ve had some bad ones – on Saturday night at Adelaide Oval, losing to the Crows by a whopping 23 goals.
The Lions managed just six goals throughout the entire game. They were -193 in the possession count and -44 in inside 50s, -16 in marks inside 50. A more comprehensive loss you will not find.
In his post-match presser, Leppitsch put the blame on the lack of talent and maturity in his squad, coupled with injuries to senior players.
“It’s boys against men. Half our team shouldn’t be playing…” said Leppitsch.
“We’re wounded as a footy club, there’s no doubt, because we don’t even have replacements to bring in.
“We’ve got young kids just looking for the finish line.
“Just look at those (player) names individually. Half of that group was playing NEAFL a few weeks ago.”
However Lions fans have understandably grown tired of those excuses and it appears now the club is beginning to follow suit.
While the Lions list is young and inexperienced, that can’t be considered a no-expiry-date get-out-of-jail-free card by the coach.
Even a young and inexperienced team can still show effort, passion, and hard work, some things that have been sorely missing from all but a few members of the Lions’ list all season long.
Leppitsch has failed to instill these qualities in his young charges, and it now appears likely that, come the end of the season, his head will roll as a result.
one armed scissor
Guest
Lions are much better off going down a similar path that the blues & dogs took with their coach. They need someone with strength of character who can grow the club & the players. They are better it'd going for some long serving assistant/ development coach then trying the same current path. He's gone though the poor bugger .
Wilson
Roar Guru
no one wanted the Ess or Blues Jobs but someone took the jobs. in all hounest they need to go along the same lines as Melbourne did and get a older experanced coach to get them on there right track with a prodagie or trainee under him learning and ready to step up. Idea Mark Thompson for 3 years and then Robert Harvey or John Barker to step in once they are on the stright and narrow.
Winston
Guest
Is there any word that Longmire will go though? The Roos - Longmire handover was clearly a success, but Longmire seems to be doing just fine right now. I don't want him to go any time soon!
Axle an the Guru
Guest
None of those blokes will want the job Wilson, neither will Dew, he will take over Sydney after Longmire.
Casper
Guest
Rick - so what makes you sure that Stuart Dew can coach? Maybe you could share some of your insights with the Lions board.
SportsFanGC
Roar Guru
Just stated this on another thread but totally agree with you Steve: "The Lions should put an offer to Taylor of take it or leave it for $250-$300K which is currently the AFL average. Taylor has regressed to being a player that runs around in circles, never kicks more than 20m and cannot lay a tackle to save himself yet is asking for $500K? Give me a spell. Put the offer above to him or tell him to go into the draft and see what other clubs are willing to offer. Same goes for Josh Green asking for $400K a year. Both these guys need to watch some footage of Eddie Betts and Michael Walters and then honestly ask themselves – Am I even producing half of what these guys are on a weekly basis for a similar role that I play for the Lions?"
Wilson
Roar Guru
One think I think they Lions Board need to do WHEN they go looking is not to go for a Players that has played for them Stuart Dew, John Barker, Robert Harvey, Mark Harvey, and Mark Thompson anyone that has not played with them in the Past will be better.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Was given a two year deal originally and then extended for one year. He kinda had to be given a two year deal to start - I mean, if you're a board and you hire a new coach and you're that lacking in confidence he's going to succeed you want him on a one year deal to start with just to make it cheaper to dump him...well, why are you hiring him then? Regarding the one year extension, it was cheap and obviously the board didn't realise at the time he was going to crack under the pressure and the club would continue to slide, obviously they thought he might yet be able to make some progress. They made a mistake. It happens. Lots of those at the Lions recently.
Gecko
Guest
What's the business argument for putting a coach like Leppa on a multiple year contract? Are they afraid that if they don't, another club is gonna pinch him? Guys like Bucks and Leppa simply shouldn't be on multiple year contracts. It's not their fault for saying yes. It's the Board's fault for offering.
Paul D
Roar Guru
I would be interested to see the board notes on why Leppa was considered a better choice than the rest of the field when they were doing interviews for Voss' old job. Manifestly unsuited to the role and history will show him as another Mark Neeld.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Three reasons Leppa must go: 1. I made a bet at the start of the year at least one coach will get sacked come finals 2. This insipid performance allowed the Crows to go above by boys - totally unacceptable 3. He's a #@$% coach Someone go bribe Stuart Dew so he can bring the Swans structures and gamestyle to the Lion's board to look over. At the very least, he'll bring some much needed intel on how a club should be run, irrespective of whether he can coach (which I'm sure he can). Conversely, the board can go find another coach who learnt their trade under a basket-case club such as Richmond...wait....
swift foetus
Guest
yeah agree the excuses are not getting the team anywhere. i feel for Leppa as an individual but he seems to have trouble using his head in times of stress. i do not doubt his passion and commitment but i think the Lions can do significantly better than "this"
R'n'R
Guest
Do they need three such similar players as Taylor and Green and Zorko?
Paul D
Roar Guru
To be honest he reminds me a lot of Brendan McCartney when the Bulldogs were getting thrashed every week a few years ago. At some point you have to stop making excuses for the kids and start telling them losing like that is unacceptable. Leppa has made too many excuses, most of them valid, admittedly, but I think he's failed to press his case and create the image he knows what he's doing. He seems lost. Overwhelmed. The gameplan looks beyond the abilities of the kids to prosecute it, and when he goes into a media conference after the game and sprays the AFL, expansion clubs, in fact everyone except his players who went out and lost like that, it's a horrible look and rightfully people are starting to question his position. Not the first time he has done this either, against the Swans earlier this year he went off half-cocked at the presser and accused the Swans of cheating after Callum Sinclair went down and the game was stopped for a stretcher. He seems to lack the temperament for a senior coach, and certainly is well out of his depth in what is undoubtedly the toughest coaching role in the AFL right now. A senior, experienced head from outside the club is needed and I will be very keen to see who they come up with as a result of this. My personal dream candidate is Bomber Thompson, but I'm sure others will be considered.
steve
Guest
Its really not a surprise. It will be a miracle if Leppa remains in charge next season. In sure I read somewhere that Lewis Taylor is asking for $500, 000 a season. Laughable.
nick
Guest
Only one to show any semblance of determination and wanting to be there was Harris Andrew The team couldn't even pretend to get excited when someone managed to kick a goal. Lewis Taylor should start crawling to the board to at least get a contract cause on his playing displays do not think any other team will come knocking