Sorry Hawka, Clarkson is your best bet at the present.
MATTHEWS EXTENDS CONTRACT WITH LIONS
By Triple M Footy - 2005-05-04 12:14:00
AFL legend Leigh Matthews will become the first 10-year coach in Brisbane Lions history.
Brisbane Lions chairman Graeme Downie announced this morning that club and coach were keen to continue their outstanding partnership. Matthews’ current contract expires at the end of the 2006 season.
“I’m very pleased to announce that our senior coach Leigh Matthews has agreed to terms to extend his contract by another two years to the end of the 2008 season,” Downie said.
“It has been a fantastic partnership to date, with Leigh taking us to four grand finals and three premierships in his first six years with the Brisbane Lions.
“As well as the success we’ve enjoyed onfield, Leigh has also been of tremendous assistance to the club in our marketing and public relations activities, a role which is a very important one which he has filled so willingly and very professionally.
“We have experienced a significant change of playing personnel since last year’s grand final and it is obvious that we will face more changes over the next few years. We have already blooded a lot of youngsters this year and there is no doubt that whilst we remain a very competitive team, we have now entered a transitional stage.
“The Board of this club was keen to ensure that Leigh continued at the helm to take us through this period of change. I can only confirm our delight that he has agreed to do so and will become the first 10-year coach of the Brisbane Lions.”
Matthews joined the Lions in late 1998 and took the team to a preliminary final in his first season after they finished wooden spooners the year before. The Lions have not finished lower than fifth during his tenure, and the team has won 108 of the 156 games played under Matthews.
― Lucy Lion (Lucy Lion), Wednesday, 4 May 2005 06:22 (twenty years ago)