Lappin’s in Southport rebuild plans

FORMER Suns head of development Matthew Lappin is set to join Southport as a senior assistant as the NEAFL club finalise their 2018 coaching list.

Lappin will be joined by former Brisbane Lions player and Glenorchy Tasmanian State League head coach Aaron Cornelius, who will become an assistant to new senior coach Stephen Daniel. Southport are expected to announce the signings as early as today.

Lappin (pictured) played 251 AFL games across St Kilda and Carlton before spending time at the Blues, Collingwood and Gold Coast as an assistant.

Southport were quick to approach Lappin following his exit from the Suns last week and the 41-year-old was eager to remain on the Gold Coast.

Cornelius spent four years at Glenorchy, taking the team to two grand finals, including 2016 where he guided the Magpies to their first TSL premiership in 17 years.

The 27-year-old was interviewed for the Southport head coaching role in recent months following Nathan Bock’s exit.

Southport were impressed by Cornelius and wanted to bring the young coach on board, believing he could still add a lot to the side.

Daniel was coach of the Suns NEAFL side in 2016 and 2017 before deciding to join Southport once Gold Coast began their review of the football department that has already cost former senior coach Rodney Eade, football manager Marcus Ashcroft and Lappin their jobs.

Daniel, 50, was offered a VFL senior coaching role in Melbourne but decided to stay on the Coast. Southport will now turn their attention to recruitment but are expected to wait until the AFL trade and rookie draft periods are over.