Leppa in the frame to return to Tigerland AFL.com.au
September 28, 2016JUSTIN Leppitsch will meet with Melbourne-based clubs this week and is a strong chance to reunite with Richmond as the Tigers continue their search for new assistant coaches.
Sacked by the Brisbane Lions last month, Leppitsch has already met with the Tigers about filling one of their vacant coaching posts three years after first leaving the club.
He is also due to meet with two other Melbourne-based clubs as the coaching landscape for 2017 slowly takes shape.
Richmond has already appointed highly rated assistant Blake Caracella and spoken to Brisbane Lions senior candidate Brett Montgomery.
The club is on the search for at least three more assistant coaches after Port Adelaide premiership coach Mark Williams and assistants Ross Smith and Greg Mellor departed last month.
Midfield stoppages coach and Damien Hardwick's right-hand man Brendon Lade also left the club to take up a long-term position with former club Port Adelaide.
Leppitsch was one of Hardwick's key lieutenants between 2010 and 2013, playing an influential role in the development of star defender Alex Rance as backline coach.
He could fill a new role at the Tigers if appointed, with Ben Rutten – Hardwick's only remaining assistant from 2016 – now in charge of the backline.
Leppitsch is also on a shortlist of candidates to replace Brenton Sanderson as coach of the NAB AFL Academy.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-09-27/leppa-in-the-frame-to-return-to-tigerland
