- Sep 9, 2012
- 6,141
- 9,021
- AFL Club
- Brisbane Lions
- Other Teams
- NE Patriots
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-ne...gn_code=nocode&promote_channel=social_twitter
Brisbane Lions coach Justin Leppitsch has been involved in a physical clash with a young player at a seconds game at the weekend.
Leppitsch grabbed Lions rookie Zac O'Brien in the coaches' room at half time of the NEAFL match at the weekend after the young player had disrespected the seconds coach Shane Woewodin.
It is alleged Leppitsch grabbed the rookie by the throat and pinned him against the wall as he yelled at the 24-year-old midfielder, telling O'Brien his behaviour was not acceptable. The incident was seen and heard by the rest of the team.
The club has confirmed the altercation but disputed that Leppitsch had O'Brien pinned to the wall.
Lions chief executive Greg Swann said Leppitsch had hauled O'Brien into the meeting room to dress him down after O'Brien had sworn at Woewodin.
Swann said O'Brien had walked into the meeting room and stood on the tiered seating. He said Leppitsch grabbed the player by the jumper to pulled him down off the step and told the rookie not to attempt to stand over him.
The incident occurred after O'Brien had failed to come off the ground when he was instructed to during the second quarter of the match. When Woewodin challenged him for not coming off as instructed O'Brien claimed he did not know he was supposed to come off and swore at the coach, telling him where to go.
It is understood other players heard the way O'Brien spoke to Woewodin and Leppitsch was angry at the disrespect his coach had been shown, leading to the clash with O'Brien.
Leppitsch later apologised to the playing group for the incident.
O'Brien, who played in the Lions' round two loss to North Melbourne, has been told he will not be considered for senior selection for three weeks. The NEAFL team has a bye this week.
"We spoke to Justin about the incident and we are fully supportive of the action taken," Swann said.
"As far as we are concerned the matter has been resolved and there is no further issue. He did not have him pinned to the wall, when they walked into the meeting room Zac stood on one of the tiered rows of seats and Justin grabbed him by the jumper and said 'don't try and stand above me when I am talking to you'."
O'Brien played five games for the Lions seniors last season after coming to the club as a mature aged rookie from Essendon's VFL side. He has been elevated to the senior list for a long-term injured player.