Justin Leppitsch this morning officially commenced his new role as Senior Coach of the Brisbane Lions.
Leppitsch, 37 (he turns 38 on October 1), wasted little time in starting, having only finalised a three-year deal with the Club late on Tuesday afternoon.
He was formally introduced as the Lions’ new Senior Coach by Chairman, Angus Johnson, at AFL House in Melbourne, having beaten a number of high-calibre candidates for the position.
“I’m rapt that the opportunity to return to the Lions has come up and am looking forward to taking the Club back to where it wants to be,” Leppitsch said during his first media conference as Lions Senior Coach.
“The future is very bright.”
“One thing you won’t get from me is bold statements, but we will be competitive and have a level of expectation to meet. I want our players to enjoy their time and have a really great working environment, but they also have to be competitive and know when it’s time to work.”
“I understand it’s going to a multi-dimensional role, and a difficult role, but I’m up for the challenge.”
Lions Chairman, Angus Johnson, said Leppitsch was the right man for the job.
“The Senior Coach selection panel provided the Board with an overwhelming endorsement that we appoint Justin Leppitsch as Senior Coach,” Johnson said.
“Justin is the right man for the job.
“He arrives with outstanding references, experience, knowledge of the game and a desire to ensure he gets the absolute best out of everyone at the Brisbane Lions – players and staff.
“The entire Club will get behind him and we will give him every opportunity to be successful in the role.”
Leppitsch, who played 227 games for the Bears and Lions across 14 seasons, returns to the Club where he made his name as a triple-premiership winning defender, having spent the previous seven years as an assistant coach.
Leppitsch played a significant role in Richmond’s return to the finals as an assistant coach to Damien Hardwick for the past four years.
Prior to that, he spent three years at the Lions as an assistant to Leigh Matthews (two years), then Michael Voss (one).
The Lions’ Senior Coach selection panel recommended the Board ratify Leppitsch’s appointment.
The Board ratified the appointment on Tuesday.
The panel included Lions’ General Manager – Football Operations, Dean Warren (Chairman), Lions CEO Malcolm Holmes, Brett Burton, Leigh Matthews and Peter Schwab.
Warren said Leppitsch articulated a clear plan during the interview process with the sub-committee unanimous in their recommendation.
“Justin demonstrated to the sub-committee his outstanding knowledge of the game and a clear plan for the team,” Warren said.
“He is a lateral thinker with an outstanding knowledge of the modern game. Technically, he is very good, and his proven ability to educate and develop players is a great asset.”