TonyK
CibbuanoI tried to talk him out of it: Kelly
September 1st 2008 07:06
BRISBANE chairman Tony Kelly says he tried to talk Leigh Matthews out of his decision to quit as the club's coach.
Kelly admitted on Monday that he was hoping the four-time premiership coach would change his mind.
"I asked him about 10 times 'are you sure, are you sure?' for my own satisfaction but he was quite positive," Kelly said.
Kelly said Matthews, who led the club to three successive premierships in 2001-03, was the 'complete package'.
"He was the complete package for the Brisbane Lions," he said.
"He was a strong leader, strong on discipline, had a powerful work ethic, was a manager and a teacher and had an insatiable appetite to win."
"He was also fair and honest and he created the environment for the development of our players into a hard-edged premiership combination."
Kelly also said Matthews had made an enormous contribution to the growth of the game in Queensland.
"His contribution to AFL in our developing market of Queensland has been outstanding," he said.
"I know of no other person who is as passionate about his job and the industry he is in - he lives and breathes AFL football and he loved his team and the players but he didn't suffer timid efforts."
Matthews will be awarded life membership of the club at the Lions' best and fairest count in October.
Kelly said the club will hold a board meeting on Monday night to begin discussions as to who should succeed Matthews.
"We need to act quickly and decisively," he said.
"But I am not speculating on any names - today is all about Leigh Matthews - and I'm sure when I pick up the papers tomorrow I will see a list of all the candidates."
Kelly admitted on Monday that he was hoping the four-time premiership coach would change his mind.
"I asked him about 10 times 'are you sure, are you sure?' for my own satisfaction but he was quite positive," Kelly said.
Kelly said Matthews, who led the club to three successive premierships in 2001-03, was the 'complete package'.
"He was the complete package for the Brisbane Lions," he said.
"He was a strong leader, strong on discipline, had a powerful work ethic, was a manager and a teacher and had an insatiable appetite to win."
"He was also fair and honest and he created the environment for the development of our players into a hard-edged premiership combination."
Kelly also said Matthews had made an enormous contribution to the growth of the game in Queensland.
"His contribution to AFL in our developing market of Queensland has been outstanding," he said.
"I know of no other person who is as passionate about his job and the industry he is in - he lives and breathes AFL football and he loved his team and the players but he didn't suffer timid efforts."
Matthews will be awarded life membership of the club at the Lions' best and fairest count in October.
Kelly said the club will hold a board meeting on Monday night to begin discussions as to who should succeed Matthews.
"We need to act quickly and decisively," he said.
"But I am not speculating on any names - today is all about Leigh Matthews - and I'm sure when I pick up the papers tomorrow I will see a list of all the candidates."
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