Leppa faces reality of being sacked
BRISBANE coach Justin Leppitsch has shifted from indignation to near resignation at queries about his tenuous future at the Gabba.
The triple premiership defender yesterday conceded “it could be’’ his last game in the hot seat when the Lions play St Kilda at Etihad Stadium tomorrow.
The Brisbane board could meet as soon as Monday morning to decide on Leppitsch’s fate and he is at long odds to stay at the helm.
Leppitsch still has some support on the board – namely football director and deputy chairman Leigh Matthews and property developer Mick Power – but the mood for change from the rest of the directors is palpable given his record of 14 wins from 65 games.
Leppitsch presented to the board on Tuesday when the leadership group and a number of club officials also fronted the powerbrokers.
No one threw Leppitsch under the bus but they did not shout praise from the rooftops either.
Leppitsch has bristled at questions about his tenure during the season but was cool, calm, collected and almost jovial yesterday.
“It could be (the last game). Everyone knows that but I’m not thinking about it like that,’’ Leppitsch said.
“I don’t stop working. I’ll stop working the moment I get told to stop working. I’m full steam ahead.’’
Leppitsch said he had never lost faith in his plans to rebuild the club and stood by his decision to overhaul the list in the long-term interests of the Lions even though the win-loss record has taken a hammering.
“I’ve got faith in the cycle. I’ve lived it. Maybe it’s blind faith because I’ve done it a few times. I’ve probably got more faith than most,’’ he said.
“I’ve never wavered in confidence in the planning of where we are going as a footy club. I always knew this first phase was going to be a difficult one.’’
Leppitsch said all he could do was wait for the board’s decision and had no problem with the investigation into the club’s on-field woes.
“I guess time will tell … that’s up to the board. I know there’s many factors in play for the footy club,’’ he said.
Leppitsch’s former teammate Jonathan Brown said on Melbourne radio he believed his premiership-winning comrade was a “good chance’’ of retaining his job.
“I do believe that because Leigh Matthews is the powerbroker up in Queensland and Leigh Matthews is loyal, he’s a stayer, he (Leppitsch) is recontracted along with the Brisbane board for another year, so I think there’s a good chance Leppitsch will stay,’’ Brown said.
I’VE GOT FAITH IN THE CYCLE. I’VE LIVED IT … MAYBE IT’S BLIND FAITH BECAUSE I’VE DONE IT A FEW TIMES. I’VE PROBABLY GOT MORE FAITH THAN MOST JUSTIN LEPPITSCH