I couldn't find this on the net yet so I scanned it in....
'Torn' Leppa splits for Tigers territory
By Greg Davis
Sunday Herald-Sun 20 Sept 2009, page S08
AFTER spending half his life in Brisbane, Justin Leppitsch is leaving the Gabba with a heavy heart.
But the triple premiership player also holds great hope of what might come from his new role as an assistant coach with Richmond.
Leppitsch, 34, played 227 games for Brisbane from 1993 to 2006 then spent another three campaigns in the Lions' coaching box.
One of the best centre half-backs of the modern era, he harbours ambitions to be a senior coach and knew he had to spread his wings to broaden his football knowledge.
Leppitsch said it was a tough call to leave the Gabba, but was excited about the challenge at Punt Rd under new Tigers boss Damien Hardwick.
"Seventeen years is a long time. I spent my first 17 years in Melbourne and the next 17 here, so it wasn't an easy decision,'' Leppitsch said.
"Two of my best mates still work at the club Michael Voss and Craig Lambert and guys like Brownie (Jonathan Brown), Blacky (Simon Black) and Luke Power are still playing, so I was a little bit torn.
"It's been a wonderful time but it was also perfect timing to head back to Melbourne.
"I wanted to be closer to my family and it was also time to experience something different and learn more in a football sense.
"I'm looking forward to the challenge at Richmond. I won't be sitting in my office twiddling my thumbs. I want to help the Tigers improve and help create a winning culture.
"They are no different to Brisbane when I first came here. They are a bunch of motivated guys who want to head in the right direction and are prepared to do the right things to get there.''
Leppitsch predicts a bright future for Brisbane.
"It made my decision easier knowing the club is back on track, that the rebuilding period is almost over and it is coming into what could be a successful period,'' he said.
"I don't know if that will equate to a premiership but the lean times are over and the club is in a strong position.''
