Leigh Matthews says Simon Black should leave Brisbane if he's serious about an AFL coaching career

LEIGH Matthews says if Simon Black is serious about pursuing an AFL coaching career, he must one day leave the Gabba.

LEIGH Matthews says if Simon Black is serious about pursuing an AFL coaching career, he must one day leave the Gabba.

Black is expected to accept Brisbane's offer of an assistant coaching role after announcing his retirement on Friday in an emotionally-charged press conference.

However, his mentor and four-time premiership coach Matthews says Black will need to spread his wings eventually if he is determined to make his mark as a coach after a glittering 16-year playing career.

HIS GREATNESS WAS BLACK AND WHITE

Gold Coast, Sydney and West Coast lead a host of clubs that are also chasing Black.

“From a Lions point of view, it would be wonderful to have him stay because you cannot get enough character into your operations. If you can't have Blacky on the field, the next best thing is to have him helping as part of your coaching set-up,” Matthews told News Limited.

“I think he is leaning that way but there is an element that you eventually grow up and leave home.

“Some people spend their whole lives at one footy club but you don't live with your mum and dad forever. Every kid grows up and leaves home.

“The senior coach (Justin Leppitsch) is a fair example of that. Leppa had a few years at the Lions on the coaching staff after he retired then decided to go out to another club (Richmond) and now he's come back to the Lions.

“It's up to Simon to make that decision about the next phase of his life.”

The AFL icon said Black made the right call to pull the pin on his playing days. Black spoke to Matthews last week as he wrestled with his future and canvassed the opinions of those closest to him.

“Absolutely he did the right thing. His last couple of years, his body has told him it's time,” Matthews said.

“He's 34, not 24. It's pretty clear that his body has been breaking down on him.

Leigh Matthews

“It's hard to accept but that was the reality.”

Matthews said it was only a matter of time before Black was elevated into the AFL's Hall of Fame.

He said Black's Norm Smith medal-winning performance in the 2003 grand final — when he tallied a record 39 disposals — spoke volumes about the midfield marvel.

“He's going to be a Hall of Famer. The Hall of Fame means you've got to be elite,” Matthews said.

“One would have to think Simon is going to get in there in due course as only the very best of the best become Hall of Fame players.

“I've never seen him play a better game than that 2003 grand final. To be able to perform like that under the incredible pressure that comes with a grand final was amazing. He was at his absolute peak on the biggest stage, that's a fair credit.

“He was just a wonderful footballer and he remains a wonderful human being.”