Coach Justin Leppitsch and powerbroker Leigh Matthews will both leave AFL club Brisbane this year, according to a Fairfax Media report.
Leppitsch signed a one-year contract extension in March but has come under immense pressure this season, with the Lions winning a total of three games to sit 17th on the ladder.
The report claims Leppitsch is “coming to the realisation that he will not see out his contract”.
Matthews, who coached Brisbane to three consecutive premierships in 2001-03, returned to the club in 2013 as football director on its board.
The deputy chairman is set to resign according to Fairfax, with the report claiming the legend is “disenchanted at the perceived lack of assistance from the AFL”.
Brisbane are dealing with many serious challenges, both on and off the field.
That long list includes $13 million debt, dwindling crowds and a so-far fruitless search for a new base because of substandard facilities at the Gabba.
Many pundits have been critical of the AFL for not offering some form of list concession, such as the re-introduction of a retention allowance given how much talent has left the club.
Leppitsch opened up about the issue after a 138-point loss to Adelaide earlier this month.
“We’ve been given nothing as a footy club,” he said at the time.
“No extra concessions and money. GWS bought Heath Shaw and (Shane) Mumford with the extra footy concessions they got.
“You’ve got to understand there’s a system behind what you see out there on game day.”
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
The following ex-club players were hired as unproven AFL Head Coaches: Dean Laidley (NM) John Worsfold (WCE) Neil Craig (ADE) Brenton Sanderson (ADE) Brett Ratten (CAR) Peter Schwab (HAW) Ken Judge (HAW) Matthew Primus (PORT) Mark Williams (PORT) Nathan Buckley (COLL) Kevin Bartlett (RICH) Grant Thomas (STK) Paul Roos (SYD) But hey, let's make out like the Lions are the only team to ever do this, and that it's always a failure.
Paul D
Roar Guru
As I said with the Demons, let's see how many supporters still remain once the club starts doing well again. If we actually had a season where we were a chance at the 8 for most of it I reckon we'd be back to 30,000 crowds pretty easily. People will come back if they feel the club isn't wasting their time and money by playing like crap.
anon
Guest
$13 million in debt, nepotism rife in hiring unqualified ex-Lion players as senior coaches, club all but irrelevant in Brisbane despite all that good will from winning three in a row. Is that why they call him Lethal? As an administrator he's been "lethal" to the Brisbane's survival. The club will never recover. Forever be asking for handouts from the AFL, forever being rewarded for their mediocrity. Football in NSW and QLD simply DOES NOT WORK. Having someone as lethal as Lethal in charge of your footy programme in Brisbane just rubs salt into the wound. Time for the merged Lions to merge themselves with the Suns. Split their time between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Again with this 3 premierships rubbish. Pure unadulterated jealousy. Do the Lions look like winning one premiership, let alone 3, at any stage in the next decade - based on what you have seen since 2004? I will grant you that the Lions have made some of their own mistakes but a large part of the demoralisation at the club has been due to the realisation that they have been abandoned by the AFL for years now. I could link you to all sorts of articles back in 2012/13 when the AFL said they were ready to step in financially. Nothing was done and the fingers stayed in the ears. This intervention is long overdue.
robamg
Guest
Lions have only themselves to blame 8 years of unproven player coaches, Have been in decadency since 2004. Tried to buy premiership under Voss(Fevola Face of the Lions) Facilities, lack of sponsors, fading memberships and player list equals appalling management. "A Fish Rots at the Head. Leppa has had 3 yrs of failure and playing group that either doesn't care or wants to leave. $13 Mill of Debt , AFL needs to take control of club Administration but not bail out their sins or buy them 3 more premierships...
Paul D
Roar Guru
"Carlton are big and mean enough to look after themselves" - Andy Demetriou
Mic
Guest
Where's Carltons help from the AFL. Wooden spoon last year, bottom 4 this year. No flag in over 20 years - Lions have won 3 flags in the last 15 years. If the Lions get a priority pick, maybe Carlton should get 2.
Paul D
Roar Guru
I read Caroline Wilson’s piece last night – she has been like an airport spotlight on the club this year, doesn’t shine in our direction often but when she has she’s generally shone a pretty powerful beam on the place. The backdrop to all of this is that the AFL has had enough of the Lions dragging its brand through the mud up here. The commission is stepping in. The big boys from Melbourne are coming up to show us how it is to be done. And so given that the AFL is taking control, Matthews can rightly say that his expertise isn’t needed anymore – the AFL will bring in, and pay for good people to fill the off-field roles – and I’m sure his media job pays a lot better with a lot less stress. See also that Sauce Merrett has retired – said in his retirement speech that he was sick of getting smashed every week for the last 6 years, playing on the best forward with 60-70 inside fifties each game. He’s been worn down and has had enough. Educating the kids was the only thing keeping him going, but he’s hit the wall. Can’t say that I blame him. He deserved better than that to finish his career.