Sacked coach Justin Leppitsch’s payout contributes to Brisbane’s $1.78 million loss after poor season

A PAYOUT to Justin Leppitsch, poor on-field performance and major Gabba renovations have contributed to Brisbane Lions posting a $1.78 million loss.

Brisbane’s poor on-field performance also contributed to the club’s financial loss. Picture: Darren England

THE Brisbane Lions have posted a loss of $1.78 million, with a payout to former coach Justin Leppitsch and a major renovation at the Gabba contributing to a slide of about $1m from the previous year’s performance.

The Lions’ airport proposal has been put on hold while the club explores a new offer from the Brisbane Airport Corporation for a larger piece of land which is further away from the runway and is more suitable for the club’s plans to incorporate an aquatic centre in the precinct.

The $300,000 upgrade to the Gabba, which is expected to serve the club for about three years until the proposed new headquarters is completed, was done at cost by Lions corporate partner Trivision and is expected to be finished in the next three weeks.

Lions chairman Bob Sharpless said although the offer of new land had prolonged the planning for the new base, it was worth the wait. He confirmed the club’s in-principle funding agreements with three partners for the new precinct remained in place.

“We wanted to have an aquatic facility with the project (which) was not seen in the current location as being viable, but this new location has better access and opens up that opportunity again,’’ he said.

The payout to former coach Justin Leppitsch has contributed to the financial loss posted by the club. Picture: Darren England.

“This is more land, with better access that doesn’t have the issues around runway noise the other site would have.

“The deal from the BAC is the same so we see it as a positive.’’

Sharpless attributed the financial performance to a tough year on the field which netted just three wins.

“The football was disappointing this year and that has consequences around our financial result,’’ he said. “This time last year we started to feel like we were on the improve and we have slipped back.

“There we a couple of one-off costs, and one of them was obviously the termination payment to Justin.

“We have to stay positive. Our membership held and we still believe we have some exciting young players on our list.

“When I first took the job on as a chairman we beat the Bulldogs, so it is amazing how quickly it can turn around with some good decision making.’’

Michael Barlow in his new colours at Metricon Stadium. Picture: Jerad Williams

Meanwhile, new Gold Coast Sun Michael Barlow said ex-teammate Harley Bennell provided a glowing endorsement of his former club.

Bennell left the Suns a year ago under strained circumstances after running out of chances with a football department who had tired of his off-field antics.

But Barlow, who has played 125 games for the Dockers, said the former No.2 draft pick had been highly encouraging about playing football here.

“I have been in his ears a bit about the transition and he has been nothing but complimentary,’’ he said.