Brisbane 2016

[UK Fan]

Never heard of him


Quicker Brisbane get Leigh Matthews away from the club the better IMHO!!!

[Baron Greenback]

Nonsense. Lethal's not the problem.

The problem is an inability to retain quality players over the past six years, not helped by the removal of the salary cap allowance.
Obviously it all starts at home though and getting things right at a basic level at the club, which the Lions have failed to do for some time now.
But the tide has started to turn, with nearly every player on the list signed for 2018 and beyond.

Getting a new facility at the airport would help too as the Gabba is run down and nowhere near AFL standard anymore.

Not sure about Leppa.
I genuinely feel for the guy, because he tore the list down and this was his first year in charge with the list he wanted.
Injuries didn't help, but blowouts like the past two weeks certainly bring his coaching ability into question.
Why not stop the bleeding with extra players in defence? 100+ point routs are no good for anyone's confidence.

If they go down the path of getting a new coach, any thoughts on who?
Obviously Ratten's name has been mentioned, but Bomber Thompson is the one I'd be after.
Has experience at rebuilding a list and also has a bit of stature, which is important in the fickle Qld market.
I see Sumich has just signed at West Coast, but if they were to nab him it wouldn't be the first time the Lions stole an assistant from the Eagles like that (2009 Voss).

[helicopterking]

Montgomerie leaving Bulldogs is suspicious. I'd say he would be a candidate.

[stan]

Montgomerie leaving Bulldogs is suspicious. I'd say he would be a candidate.

Actually yes a assistant leaving a club that will play finals before the season is out seems to open a few questions.

[westozfalcon]

Nonsense. Lethal's not the problem.

The problem is an inability to retain quality players over the past six years, not helped by the removal of the salary cap allowance.
Obviously it all starts at home though and getting things right at a basic level at the club, which the Lions have failed to do for some time now.
But the tide has started to turn, with nearly every player on the list signed for 2018 and beyond.

Getting a new facility at the airport would help too as the Gabba is run down and nowhere near AFL standard anymore.

Not sure about Leppa.
I genuinely feel for the guy, because he tore the list down and this was his first year in charge with the list he wanted.
Injuries didn't help, but blowouts like the past two weeks certainly bring his coaching ability into question.
Why not stop the bleeding with extra players in defence? 100+ point routs are no good for anyone's confidence.

If they go down the path of getting a new coach, any thoughts on who?
Obviously Ratten's name has been mentioned, but Bomber Thompson is the one I'd be after.
Has experience at rebuilding a list and also has a bit of stature, which is important in the fickle Qld market.
I see Sumich has just signed at West Coast, but if they were to nab him it wouldn't be the first time the Lions stole an assistant from the Eagles like that (2009 Voss).

The Gabba worked OK for those blokes back in 2001-2004!

Collingwood has arguably the best facilities in the AFL and it's not turning the team into a powerhouse.

It all comes down to astute coaching and commitment from players (in our case a lack thereof).

[JK]

Nonsense. Lethal's not the problem.

The problem is an inability to retain quality players over the past six years, not helped by the removal of the salary cap allowance.
Obviously it all starts at home though and getting things right at a basic level at the club, which the Lions have failed to do for some time now.
But the tide has started to turn, with nearly every player on the list signed for 2018 and beyond.

Getting a new facility at the airport would help too as the Gabba is run down and nowhere near AFL standard anymore.

Not sure about Leppa.
I genuinely feel for the guy, because he tore the list down and this was his first year in charge with the list he wanted.
Injuries didn't help, but blowouts like the past two weeks certainly bring his coaching ability into question.
Why not stop the bleeding with extra players in defence? 100+ point routs are no good for anyone's confidence.

If they go down the path of getting a new coach, any thoughts on who?
Obviously Ratten's name has been mentioned, but Bomber Thompson is the one I'd be after.
Has experience at rebuilding a list and also has a bit of stature, which is important in the fickle Qld market.
I see Sumich has just signed at West Coast, but if they were to nab him it wouldn't be the first time the Lions stole an assistant from the Eagles like that (2009 Voss).

Would Brissy have the $$ to spend on additional cap anyway?

I think Leppa was always going to oversee a rebuild, and one thing that hasn't helped is they actually scored a couple of good wins in his first season in charge, that perhaps masked the amount of development the list still required.

[Baron Greenback]

Nonsense. Lethal's not the problem.

The problem is an inability to retain quality players over the past six years, not helped by the removal of the salary cap allowance.
Obviously it all starts at home though and getting things right at a basic level at the club, which the Lions have failed to do for some time now.
But the tide has started to turn, with nearly every player on the list signed for 2018 and beyond.

Getting a new facility at the airport would help too as the Gabba is run down and nowhere near AFL standard anymore.

Not sure about Leppa.
I genuinely feel for the guy, because he tore the list down and this was his first year in charge with the list he wanted.
Injuries didn't help, but blowouts like the past two weeks certainly bring his coaching ability into question.
Why not stop the bleeding with extra players in defence? 100+ point routs are no good for anyone's confidence.

If they go down the path of getting a new coach, any thoughts on who?
Obviously Ratten's name has been mentioned, but Bomber Thompson is the one I'd be after.
Has experience at rebuilding a list and also has a bit of stature, which is important in the fickle Qld market.
I see Sumich has just signed at West Coast, but if they were to nab him it wouldn't be the first time the Lions stole an assistant from the Eagles like that (2009 Voss).

The Gabba worked OK for those blokes back in 2001-2004!

Collingwood has arguably the best facilities in the AFL and it's not turning the team into a powerhouse.

It all comes down to astute coaching and commitment from players (in our case a lack thereof).

Back then it was first class!
Now it's a shambles.

Like I said, it would help. Not going to fix things straight away, but every bit helps, particularly in attracting players to the club.

[Booney]

Daniel Merrett has announced that he will retire from football at the end of 2016.

The 31-year-old informed the Lions playing group of his decision on Tuesday afternoon.

Taking on some of the game’s best key forwards, Merrett has been a mainstay in the Lions’ backline since 2005 after initially being drafted as a forward at the end of 2002.

He will notch up a career milestone next weekend by lining up against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium in his 200th AFL game and farewell match.

Merrett said he felt the time was right to hang up the boots after 14 seasons at the Brisbane Lions.

“I can’t really talk, but I suppose you know what I’m going to say,” an emotional Merrett told players and staff.

“I thought I wanted to play on next year, I thought if you’re able to play, if you’re capable – keep going. But, I probably sat down on the weekend and thought, what do I value in life the most? And that’s my family.

“For the last five years it’s been bloody hard, copping 60, 70 inside 50s every week playing full back on the best forwards, it’s bloody stressful,” he laughed.

“I just want to give more time to my family and it probably feels like a little bit of the fire has burnt out inside. The one thing that has kept me going is the knowledge I can share with the younger guys, particularly the defenders. It’s one of the main reasons I play.

“I can see the future is so bright.

“For the last 12 years I’ve been playing seniors we haven’t had a whole deal of success. It’s been pretty tough but I wouldn’t give it up for anything.

“How can you complain about this job? I’ve never taken it for granted. It’s shown this year with Jase (Justin) Clarke something can be taken away from you in a second.

“When I got drafted, I was a bit of a spud. I was probably taken on potential more than anything. I’m pretty proud of where I’ve come from.”

Merrett will continue to help out at the Club next season, guiding the Lions’ young defenders as well as helping out in welfare.

“Hopefully we get through this week and next week’s my 200th , I’ll hang them up after that. It’s something I’ll really be proud of.

“We’ve had a lot of outside noise but as a group we’ve been solid. It has been enjoyable around the Club.

“It’s the best job in the world and to do it as long as I did, I’m very grateful for that.”

[mighty_tiger_79]

What's the end of the last sentence?

[Brodlach]

Well done sauce, got everything out of the limited ability he had

[Rik E Boy]

Nonsense. Lethal's not the problem.

The problem is an inability to retain quality players over the past six years, not helped by the removal of the salary cap allowance.
Obviously it all starts at home though and getting things right at a basic level at the club, which the Lions have failed to do for some time now.
But the tide has started to turn, with nearly every player on the list signed for 2018 and beyond.

Getting a new facility at the airport would help too as the Gabba is run down and nowhere near AFL standard anymore.

Not sure about Leppa.
I genuinely feel for the guy, because he tore the list down and this was his first year in charge with the list he wanted.
Injuries didn't help, but blowouts like the past two weeks certainly bring his coaching ability into question.
Why not stop the bleeding with extra players in defence? 100+ point routs are no good for anyone's confidence.

If they go down the path of getting a new coach, any thoughts on who?
Obviously Ratten's name has been mentioned, but Bomber Thompson is the one I'd be after.
Has experience at rebuilding a list and also has a bit of stature, which is important in the fickle Qld market.
I see Sumich has just signed at West Coast, but if they were to nab him it wouldn't be the first time the Lions stole an assistant from the Eagles like that (2009 Voss).

Of course it's nonsense, it's UK Fan.

regards,

REB

[Corona Man]

Drove past the Gabba earlier today. Sign out the front still promoting the game against Carlton... Perhaps they are hoping to lure in a few more Queenslanders this weekend by telling them they have the Blues 2 weeks straight!

[Rik E Boy]

Drove past the Gabba earlier today. Sign out the front still promoting the game against Carlton... Perhaps they are hoping to lure in a few more Queenslanders this weekend by telling them they have the Blues 2 weeks straight!

Get to the Cats game. You can buy me a beer!

regards,

REB

[Spangas]

Leppitsch gone.

[Fricky]

Leppitsch gone.

No surprises in this decision.

Who takes over? On radio they are saying that the next coach will have completed the Level 4 Coaching course so that narrows in down. I don't know the names of who has done the level 4, Dew is one but I haven't heard his name mentioned at all to get the job.

[BoundaryRider84]

Leppitsch gone.

No surprises in this decision.

Who takes over? On radio they are saying that the next coach will have completed the Level 4 Coaching course so that narrows in down. I don't know the names of who has done the level 4, Dew is one but I haven't heard his name mentioned at all to get the job.

Peter Sumich?

[Gozu]

I would've thought they would wait a few days before sacking Leppitsch but no gone the day after their season ends, he still had a year to go on his contract but wasn't exactly a surprise.

[JK]

Not saying it would be the Brisbane gig, or even a senior role, but Montgomery leaving the finals bound Bulldogs early surely suggests he has something else lined up?

[BoundaryRider84]

Malthouse just warming back with The Recruit to make a 2017 comeback

[Spangas]

As long as they are not a former Lions player I'll be happy.