Lions assistant Justin Leppitsch on radar as Richmond hunts AFL coach
Andrew Hamilton | June 03, 2009
BRISBANE Lions assistant Justin Leppitsch has emerged as a low-key contender for the Richmond coaching job vacated by Terry Wallace.
Premiership veterans Mick Malthouse and Mark Williams, high-profile assistants Wayne Campbell, Brad Scott and Damian Hardwick and star ex-player Nathan Buckley headline a list of potential replacements for Wallace, whose four-year tenure at Punt Road ended on Monday.
Leppitsch has not been mentioned in any speculative newspaper pieces and has yet to raise the interest of the bookies or punters.
But he is on the radar of ex-Fitzroy player and Lions board member Laurie Serafini, a senior member of the Slade Group that has revolutionised AFL recruitment by head-hunting Andrew Demetriou, Brian Cook, Neil Balme, Cameron Schwab, Steven Icke and James Fantasia.
Richmond used Slade to recruit football manager Craig Cameron and are set to employ their services again in the hunt for a senior coach.
Tiger assistants Campbell, Craig McRae, Brian Royal and David King have already been interviewed to fill the caretaker role for the rest of the season.
Leppitsch said he would explore the Richmond situation closely before deciding whether to apply, but confirmed his long-term goal was to become a senior coach.
The triple premiership defender impressed as a shortlisted candidate for the Gold Coast job before pulling out of the race because he didn't feel the job was the right option at that stage of his career.
"I am not going to be an assistant coach forever, but when my journey leads up to head coaching I am not too fazed by, I don't put myself under any pressure," he said.
"If there is a job where I think I'd fit the bill and they think the same, that is good. But I won't apply for every single job, I want the right job."
Leppitsch said close mate, premiership captain and now boss Michael Voss, would support him if he chose to pursue the Richmond position. His chances hinge on which path the Tigers take, new blood or proven veterans.
Malthouse and Williams are likely targets if experience is the pre-requisite, followed by Leigh Matthews. But the modern trend is for AFL clubs to appoint first-time senior coaches.
Voss broke the mould by winning the Brisbane gig without having worked as an assistant and his success so far would encourage Buckley, who also has no experience as an assistant.
But Voss was a triple premiership captain at Brisbane and he knew the place and its people inside out.
Buckley's best hope of a walk-up start is if Malthouse goes to Tigerland.
Whoever is named caretaker will also have an advantage. Fremantle's Mark Harvey and Carlton's Brett Ratten both advanced to the senior position after the caretaker role.
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/sport/afl/story/0,27046,25576906-5016169,00.html
