Matthews quits Lions

Leigh Matthews quit as Brisbane Lions coach with one year remaining on his contract.

Matthews told the club he felt the timing was right for him to stand aside after 10 years at the helm, including three successive premierships from 2001-03.

Lions chairman Tony Kelly said he accepted Matthews' decision with great disappointment and regret.

Matthews told Kelly he would remain with the club for the next few weeks to help with the 2008 post-season review.

"It's just time for me to move on, for (me) and the rejuvenation of this football club," said Matthews at a media conference in Brisbane.

"It's not about where the team is.

"The team clearly for the last couple of years has been on the fringe of playing finals.

"The team won 10 games this year and was believed to have under-performed, which means that there is obviously a finals berth there.

"But that goes for probably 10 clubs in the competition.

"The future prospects of the team have got nothing to do with how I saw things."

Kelly said he would chair a board meeting on Monday night to begin the search for Matthews' successor.

Lions co-captain Jonathan Brown also announced that he would be remaining with the club, having agreed to terms on a new contract.

Brisbane, fighting for a top four position midway through this season, finished a disappointing 10th on the ladder after limping home with just two wins from their last nine matches.

The end of Matthews' successful tenure came a week after Kelly indicated he wanted to see the coach see out the end of his contract which expires next year.

Matthews led the merged club to three consecutive flags from 2001-03, giving him four premierships as a coach after previously guiding Collingwood to the 1990 title.

Combined with his recognition as the player of the 20th Century, the former Hawthorn great is viewed as the biggest name in the game.

Triple premiership-winning captain Michael Voss has been appointed the early favourite by bookmakers to replace Matthews.

Sportingbet Australia have posted the Brownlow medallist as their $2.50 favourite ahead of Craig Lambert at $3.

Sydney mentor Paul Roos is also a hot tip at $6.

Voss is set to become an assistant coach at West Coast next year, although his deal is understood to have a get-out clause should a senior vacancy arise.

"We see Voss and Lambert as the front runners," said Sportingbet Australia chief executive Michael Sullivan.

Lambert is a current assistant coach with the Lions and is known to be close with club co-captain Jonathan Brown, who announced he had agreed to terms on a new playing contract with Brisbane.

"Lambert's relationship with the Lions co-captain and his experience at the club keep him in the market but we think Voss will be their top pick," said Sullivan.

Matthews started at Brisbane in 1999, taking them from the wooden spoon to a preliminary-final loss to premiers North Melbourne.

It was the first of six finals appearances which included four straight grand finals, ending with a loss to Port Adelaide in 2004.

© 2008 AAP

I don't think that Jonathan Brown and Leigh could have worked together for another year. Anyway after a while Matthews suffers from inertia at a club. Good move!

If only he could've got that fourth win.

Bradman wrote:If only he could've got that fourth win.

aye! Lost a mini motza that day.

Me too and Port have done sfa since.

The Lions only had to spoil to win. I blame the Mathews Akermanis split.

Red wrote:Anyway after a while Matthews suffers from inertia at a club.

FFS, he had 10 years at the Lions. That's a bloody outstanding effort to stay so long.

Well I didn't lose a motza (for once) but I would've signed up to lose the lot if it would've wiped the smile off Eddie's face.

skully wrote:

Red wrote:Anyway after a while Matthews suffers from inertia at a club.

FFS, he had 10 years at the Lions. That's a bloody outstanding effort to stay so long.

Wonder who will bid for him next?

Hopefully Channel 7 bids for him to replace Brooooce or the Ox in the commentary box.

Para Batsman wrote:

skully wrote:

Red wrote:Anyway after a while Matthews suffers from inertia at a club.

FFS, he had 10 years at the Lions. That's a bloody outstanding effort to stay so long.

Wonder who will bid for him next?

Directr of Footy on goldie I predict. Back with GD.

And Vossy takes over.

"BRISBANE have called a press conference for this afternoon with former captain Michael Voss to be named the club's new head coach for the 2009 season.

The press conference will take place at 2:30pm with the three-time Premiership winning captain certain to be named in the top job.

Voss walks away from an assistant coaching position at West Coast to take over the senior reigns in Brisbane following the shock retirement of former mentor Leigh Matthews on Monday."
...

And confirmed.

"BRISBANE Lions have appointed former triple premiership captain Michael Voss as their coach for the next three years.

The appointment came only a day after Leigh Matthews announced he was ending his decade-long stint as coach."

the market was offering 6/1` on Paul Roos...HANDS OFF BRIONS

This will be interesting. Could he be another Tony Shaw? I would have thought that due process could have taken place and other candidates might have been interviewed. Is he too close to former teammates. For mine he doesn't sound terribly articulate in the media, especially if you compare him to Bucks.

FFS - this has been a week of FFS.

First my team is knocked out the leeg. My AFL team finish the season next to last. And now our messiah breaks a contract to return to his former club.

He had the same clause in his contract that your current Akela had in his when he left his assistants coach gig wiith Carlton.

FFS! Another "re-building" season in the making.

Sucked in E-girls.

Paul Keating wrote:FFS - this has been a week of FFS.

First my team is knocked out the leeg. My AFL team finish the season next to last. And now our messiah breaks a contract to return to his former club.

Kerr to be traded ...Wirrapanda to retire ...Seaby to be retained ...Fletcher to play on...Suma to Freo...Season complete

embee wrote:

Paul Keating wrote:FFS - this has been a week of FFS.

First my team is knocked out the leeg. My AFL team finish the season next to last. And now our messiah breaks a contract to return to his former club.

Kerr to be traded ...Wirrapanda to retire ...Seaby to be retained ...Fletcher to play on...Suma to Freo...Season complete

glass on wrecked knees

Rowan Jones to make a comeback

Chick to replace Voss as assistant coach...gardiner returns as specialist erm...ruck coach

Phil Read to be the boxing coach

Scott and Adam Selwood demand to be traded to Geelong to play with brother Joel. Geelong offer Bartel and Scarlett in return but West Coast refuse and demand Ablett as well. Ten minutes before the deadline Scott and Adam decide they're jack of all the tossbagging around and they want to go to Brisbane instead to play with their other brother Troy.under their old assistant coach Michael Voss. 30 seconds before the hammer falls West Coast agree to trade both Selwoods to Brisbane in a deal also involving Freo and Melbourne, in which the Eagles gain Jeff Farmer, Nathan Carroll, two fifth-round draft choices and half a dozen cans of XXXX.