Mark Thompson says Neil Balme is the perfect man to rebuild Brisbane Lions

PREMIERSHIP-winning coach Mark Thomspon says Neil Balme would be a perfect fit at Brisbane as the struggling club aims to overhaul its football department.

PREMIERSHIP-winning coach Mark Thomspon says Neil Balme would be the perfect man to rebuild the Lions.

Geelong’s 2007 and 2009 grand final-winning coach said an experienced and highly credentialed head of football was crucial to making the right choices on Brisbane’s next coach and the playing list, including captain Tom Rockliff.

The Lions are interested in Balme, Adelaide’s David Noble and the Kangaroos’ Geoff Walsh.

“That role is the most important, the coach just coaches the team but the head of footy manages all the areas of the footy department,’’ he said.

Thompson has provided a glowing endorsement for Balme, who was football manager during Geelong’s 2007, 2009 and 2011 premierships.

“He would be fantastic at setting it up,’’ he said.

“They can’t get it wrong again, they are at a critical point.

“They have had two goes at it and have messed it up.’’

Neil Balme has been replaced as football manager at Collingwood but is weighing up a new role with the Pies.

He said his own coaching career may not have worked out so successfully had Balme not joined the Cats in 2007.

Thompson’s position was under review in 2006 after the Cats failed to make the finals.
He said Balme’s football knowledge was invaluable, while his ability to absorb all the extra distractions within a footy club had allowed Thompson to focus on coaching.

Balme coached multiple premierships in the SANFL and was head coach at Melbourne between 1993-97 before successful stints as footy manager at Collingwood alongside Mick Malthouse and Geelong with Thompson.

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“He was so rounded in everything,’’ Thompson said. “He was so experienced and even though he is in his early 60s he is a young 60, he was so modern, a modern thinker.

“He managed the relationships between the football department and the board and the administration, (and) he was great with the media.

“He was fantastic as far as protecting and messaging, but he also has a great footy mind.

“He has coached and has done every role in a footy club.’’

Mark Thompson worked with Neil Balme at Geelong.

Thompson said the Lions should not limit their search to an experienced senior coach but believed the failure of first-timers Justin Leppitsch and Michael Voss made a proven performer more preferable.

“It shouldn’t rule out the person who hasn’t done it before, you want the best coach available, but it would certainly be better if they have someone who has been through it though because they are a known quantity and they want to get it right this time,’’ he said.

“I think it is a bit different for a club like Brisbane. They would have to be looking at someone who is building the brand as well, they are looking for a pretty unique person really.’’

He also said the club should wait for a new footy manager and coach before making a decision on Rockliff.

“You shouldn’t rush in and make any decisions,’’ he said. “People can sometimes change in a better environment. That might be why he is making noise because something isn’t right.’’