Brisbane legend Simon Black says the Lions can’t afford to appoint the wrong senior coach
LIONS legend Simon Black says Brisbane have no choice but to get the senior coaching appointment right.
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LIONS legend Simon Black says Brisbane have no choice but to get the senior coaching appointment right.
Black is on the five-person panel to select Justin Leppitsch’s replacement along with CEO Greg Swann, sports psychology expert Matti Clements, list manager and former Hawthorn player and coach Peter Schwab and the yet-to-be appointed general manager of football.
Black recently wound up his three-year stint as an assistant coach at the Gabba after playing a record 322 senior games for the Lions and collecting three flags, a Norm Smith Medal and the Brownlow Medal during his stellar playing career.
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He knows his newest role for Brisbane also carries plenty of weight.
“It’s really, really important we get this right,’’ Black said. “The club has been at the bottom of the ladder for far too long.
“There’s been a lot of reasons for that. It’s a whole of club thing.
“We just have to find the best possible candidate that can help us fight our way back up the ladder.’’
Hawthorn football boss Chris Fagan heads the list of contenders that also includes former Carlton coach Brett Ratten, Blues assistant John Barker and highly rated St Kilda assistant Adam Kingsley.
Dual Lions premiership player and North Melbourne senior coach Brad Scott continues to be floated as a possible contender but he remains contracted to the Kangaroos and appears committed to the long-term rebuilding of the club which recently showed the door to four veterans, including club great Brent Harvey.
Black said whoever got the nod for the Lions role must have two key skills.
“Firstly, you want that cutting-edge strategic thinking. Secondly, his communication skills and relationship with the players has to be tight,’’ Black said.
“All the best sporting coaches around the world have those two main qualities.’’
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