“The wheels can turn very quickly. But the thing I would emphasise is they don’t turn unless you make them turn. That requires change. In the urge to find a better way, learning from history, you have to be prepared to change to find a better way.”

With those words at the centre of his address, Brisbane Lions Deputy Chairman and Football Director, Leigh Matthews, spoke to the Club’s players, coaches, football and administration staff at the Gabba today.

Matthews said the Club’s Board was part of an overall effort being spearheaded by himself, CEO Greg Swann and Senior Coach Justin Leppitsch to improve results on and off the field, with changes across all areas of the Club.

“What is happening is the result of a lot of review and thinking over recent history – I want to reinforce that,” said Matthews.

“When Greg came in as the new CEO, the football club was going to change because we went and got an experienced football CEO. It was always going to be a new world.

“As Football Director, I said to Greg 12 months ago ‘have a look for 12 months see how things are working and then we have to find a better way’, because if there’s one constant in this sport, the urge to find a better way has to be never-ending.”

This month, General Manager of Football Dean Warren resigned his position, while Welfare, Leadership and Culture Manager, Manny Lynch, will finish on Friday after accepting a redundancy.

Elite Performance Manager Brett Burton will also leave the Club at the end of the season after accepting a role elsewhere.

A replacement for Burton had been identified and the Club is comfortable with the candidates it has for the position and the role will be filled by the end of our season, said Swann.

The new Football Manager was today announced as Matthew Francis, formerly the Club’s Skill Development Manager, who will oversee the administrative running of football operation including compliance and TPP.

Matthews said: “Clearly, where we are at the moment when we’ve won three games and we’re on the bottom of the ladder … ultimately we’re not in a good place. But it’s amazing how the wheel can turn.

“Collingwood in 1987 finished second last and won a Premiership in 1990. This Club finished last in 1998 and won a Premiership in 2001.  More recently, Port Adelaide were down the bottom but pipped up the top.

“The wheels can turn very quickly. But the thing I would emphasise is they don’t turn unless you make them turn. That requires change. In the urge to find a better way, learning from history, you have to be prepared to change to find a better way.

“There is change going on … but I ask you for your faith and your trust in Greg, myself and the people making the decisions around our football operation.”

Swann said change was logical given the Club’s poor performances over recent years.

“Over a period, the Board has said to be bold and make some changes to make us better because we don’t want to be standing here in a year’s time in the same position.

“You can’t finish on the bottom of the ladder and serve up the same thing and expect different results.

“We’re now going forward to finish the season and start a new era, with a clean slate, and we will move on.”