Past Justin Leppitsch - Coach (2014-2016)

Bert Man

Premiership Player
Jul 22, 2012
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Brisbane Lions
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I like the way Leppa speaks. He pulls no punches and is upfront :thumbsu:
 
May 26, 2007
12,887
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Melbourne
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Brisbane Lions
Freshman AFL coaches Alan Richardson, Leon Cameron, Adam Simpson, Justin Leppitsch learn ropes fast
November 23, 2013
Glenn McFarlane

COACHING PHILOSOPHY

Leppitsch: "I want to be a commonsense coach. I don't want to create complexity. I want to create an environment in which players do the right thing without fail. I will be taking a hard line on that."

FIRST THOUGHTS OF BEING AN AFL SENIOR COACH

Leppitsch: "I still had a year to go of a playing contract (in 2007) when Leigh (Matthews) said to me 'I want you to be a coach'. I'm not sure he wanted me to be a coach, I think he just wanted some salary cap relief. But about three years into the (assistant coaching) role, I started to take it very seriously."

VIEW OF YOUR NEW CLUB

Leppitsch: "I do feel like I have stepped into a new club. In the four years since I've been gone, there have been so many different people come into the place. Every now and then 'Browny' (Jonathan Brown) will call me by one of my old nicknames, and that's about the only reference to the past."

BIGGEST CHALLENGE

Leppitsch: "The biggest challenge is to build the players' consistency. Getting them to understand the plan, to implement the plan and sticking to the plan under pressure."

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From an article in today's Australian, for which I don't have a (free) link:

"Yeah, it's incredible how fast the football comes around once you get that first training block out of the way leading into the Christmas-New Year break," Leppitsch said.
"With all the specialist sessions, conditioning sessions, weights training et cetera . . . we only had nine sessions training together as a full group trying to implement our game plan and iron out and kinks or misunderstandings the players may have had with how we want to go about things.
"I guess it is a reflection of the time demands and constraints that you work within as a professional footballer. Everything is mapped out from day one. So much time and effort goes into the planning process these days. To be honest, it is probably as important a part of the process as anything because if you don't get that right then the whole program suffers.
"You need to get the balance right in the training loads for the players so they are putting in the necessary work to ensure they are competitive once the season proper comes around. But at the same time you have to be very conscious of not overloading the guys, whether that is with their work on the track or in team meetings.
"Player burnout is real and the damage can be done well before you see the effects on the field. So it is a matter of having really good, strong, open communication lines from the players to the coaches to the strength and conditioning staff and of course with the medical staff. It isn't a case of the coach allocating time here and there -- it has to be a collective effort so that every part of the football club knows what the other is doing and why. That way you can ensure everyone is pulling in the one direction."
Despite the departure of five of the club's most exciting youngsters, Leppitsch said there was "no question" Brisbane had the talent to push for a spot in the top eight.
"That is the expectation . . . we aren't getting ahead of ourselves, we understand as a group there is a lot of work to do and a lot of improvements we need to make if we are going to challenge the best teams in the competition on a more regular basis," Leppitsch said. "But every AFL footballer plays the game so they can play finals. If that isn't a goal at the start of every season then it's hard to understand why you are playing the game.
"The thing Brisbane showed not just opposition teams but also showed themselves and showed their fans was that when these guys are at their best they can mix it with the best sides in the AFL.
"What we need to show as a group now is that we are capable of delivering that sort of effort on a more regular basis. That is what this season is about for us."
 
Brisbane: Justin Leppitsch

Contracted to end of 2016

State of Play: After a tumultuous 2013 when Michael Voss was sacked and the board split, Leppitsch must not only unify what was a disgruntled playing list but help bring the club together. That being said, the Lions narrowly missed the finals last season and it would appear he has inherited a list on the rise. The Lions triple premiership player served his apprenticeship with Richmond, and it's hoped his playing pedigree will raise media exposure in what is still a tough northern market.



Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-ne...st-pressure-20140122-317vd.html#ixzz2ssEeYDWL
 
Leppa on SEN




A few key points:

- focus on players "knowing where the boundary line is" - work hard on field but enjoy being around the club off field
- a big change was financial - allowed them to fix/maintain facilities better
- Adcock as captain smart, thinker of the game, good organiser
- all 7 draftees may debut this year - all show something
- like to see %age over 100 - would be a sign of consistency
 
New Brisbane Lions coach Justin Leppitsch remained focused on the big picture, even if an upset of the AFL premiers was in the wind.

With his young side closing to within two points of a misfiring Hawthorn in Launceston on Saturday, the debut mentor was left trying to control his emotions at Aurora Stadium.

"It's hard at times," he said.

"We all want to win every contest and we don't want to lose anything.

"We're all humans, we're all competitive but you have to sometimes look at it in the bigger picture."

Leppitsch was taking some positives from his side's season-opening 48-point loss.

In the end he described the result as "on par" with his expectations for the rebuilding club's first outing of 2014.

"Probably going in I thought we'd struggle to run out the game given their experience and their legs," he said.

He said his side's defence had been pleasing and some straight kicking would have had them in with an early candidate for the boilover of the season.

"The disappointing part ... you see the score and you see that you've matched them in scoring shots but you're still 25 points behind the top team (at three-quartertime) and you're actually really competitive," he said.

"I guess that can be a little disheartening."

The Lions get little respite next week when they take on Geelong at the Gabba.


http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/03/22/leppitsch-keeps-eyes-big-picture
 
DESPITE watching his side fade to a 48-point loss to Hawthorn on Saturday, Justin Leppitsch said he would take positives from his first game as as coach of the Brisbane Lions.

In fact, the scoreboard arguably flattered the Hawks as the Lions gave a good account of themselves in a match many pundits expected them to lose by a far greater margin.

http://www.lions.com.au/news/2014-03-22/leppitsch-to-take-positives
 

Dylan12

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Sep 7, 2007
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A Lepp of faith for Lions coach

AHEAD of Brisbane’s last home game of 2014, Lions coach Justin Leppitsch reflects on his first year in charge at the Gabba. A year where he replaced a mate and beep tests.

Has there been a moment this year when you had second thoughts about taking on the job? Yeah (laughs). Second thoughts ... third thoughts.

Any particular game?
I must say, if we had’ve lost the St Kilda game (in Wellington), I probably would have had some doubts then. Not on the long-term planning but we just needed a win.

How often do you talk to Leigh Matthews? How invaluable is he as a sounding board?
I spoke to him a lot when I was at Richmond. We’d catch up once a month. Now, it’s obviously a lot more frequent. He’s been great for me, the footy department and the club as a whole.

Was it an uneasy feeling taking over from Michael Voss as Lions senior coach? It was weird. A month had passed since Michael left before I had been asked to apply. If someone had asked me three days after, I would probably have said no. Just because it was too early and it wouldn’t have been the right thing to do. I was probably a bit bitter that he had left under those circumstances, too. But a month had passed and I wanted to apply for my own purposes but I wanted to help the club. From afar, the club was in a bit of trouble and I thought I could help. It’s been a busy year for Michael but we’ve caught up a few times.

I have a lot time for coach Leppitsch and almost a year on, am of the firm belief that he really was the right man for the job. Certainly not a sexy appointment, but the players obviously speak incredibly high of him and IMO, his best trait is that he has united the playing group and when the group on is, no one can deny what an exciting brand of footy we're capable of playing.
 

Kevvo

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Oct 17, 2013
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A Lepp of faith for Lions coach



I have a lot time for coach Leppitsch and almost a year on, am of the firm belief that he really was the right man for the job. Certainly not a sexy appointment, but the players obviously speak incredibly high of him and IMO, his best trait is that he has united the playing group and when the group on is, no one can deny what an exciting brand of footy we're capable of playing.

Great post.

I was just coming here to remark on the same thing after reading that interview. A year on, I think we made the right choice, and in hindsight I certainly wouldn't swap him for any of the alternatives.
 

Dylan12

Brownlow Medallist
Sep 7, 2007
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Leppitsch a success in debut season

JUSTIN Leppitsch wins a big tick for his first season at the helm of the Brisbane Lions. He has set himself up to be the club’s long-term coach. Signed by the Lions on a three-year deal, I expect him to sign a two-year extension before the end of next year. taking him to the end of 2018. It will be about that time before the Lions are in a position to seriously challenge the best in the AFL and put a flag back on the radar. Even though the Lions have fallen short of their 10 wins of 2012-13, they have lived right up to 2014 expectations under Leppitsch. And more. They have unearthed some fine long-term prospects who will be 10-year Brisbane players. Fans still have to be patient but at least they have valid reason for optimism. Locking in Leppitsch for an extended stay will be the perfect vote of confidence in both him and the direction the football department is heading.
 

jackess

Cancelled
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Aug 10, 2005
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Leppa will be glad to hear I've upgraded him to a pass mark in his first season. :thumbsu:
 
Brisbane moves to extend Justin Leppitsch’s contract two years ahead of schedule

JUSTIN Leppitsch is set to be a long-term Lions coach with the club moving to secure his signature on a new deal two years ahead of schedule.

Leppitsch is not out of contract until the end of 2016 but Brisbane are so confident he is the man to return the club to the finals they are ready to open negotiations on a new deal.

CEO Greg Swann said he is yet to make an approach to Leppitsch or his management but it was his intention to start talks soon with a view to having a new deal struck well before the end of the season.
 

jjami15

Norm Smith Medallist
Jul 16, 2011
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Not to rain on the parade and I really like what Leppa is doing for the club but I thought it would have wise to wait until next season. As we all know a season is a long time in footy and as a business decision waiting might have been better.
 
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