Justin Leppitsch returned to the familiar surrounds of the Gabba for the first time on Monday morning since being appointed as the Brisbane Lions’ new Senior Coach.

Leppitsch spent 17 years at the Gabba as both a player and coach before heading back ‘home’ to Victoria at the end of 2009 to join Richmond.

He admitted that there were some aspects of Brisbane that he would need to readjust to.

“I actually thought I was late to work today, I didn’t realise the sun gets up at 5am here. I’m going to have to get used to that again,” Leppitsch said.

“It’s great to be back in Brisbane – a place I spent 17 years of my life.

“Three weeks ago I didn’t think I’d be here right now. I’m sure there will be a lot of things over the next 12 months that I’ll have to adapt to again.

Leppitsch will spend much of the day meeting with staff and getting a better grasp on his ‘new’ environment.

“I’ve already put it on our fitness staff that I want everyone to go to Arizona (in November) so they’re hating me already,” Leppitsch said.

“I’m trying to get another 15 people over there, but we’re still nutting out the particulars of that.

“We’re all on board that we want to bring our group closer together, and bringing everyone to Arizona would be one step in doing that.”

In what has been a whirlwind week for the three-time premiership centre half-back, Leppitsch said he is now eager to get stuck into coaching.

“I’m looking forward to the football element to be honest,” he said.

“A lot of the stuff early days is about the analysing list, and walking around the changerooms wondering how we want that to look.

“Actually getting into the crux of the coaching is what I’m looking forward to, but that probably won’t come for another week or two.”