Justin Leppitsch (born 1 October 1975) is a former professional Australian rules footballer and the current coach of the Brisbane Lions in the Australian Football League.
Early life
Leppitsch was raised in Berwick, Victoria and playing TAC Cup with Dandenong Stingrays, he caught the attention of Brisbane Bears talent scouts. He was selected by Brisbane at pick 4 in the 1992 AFL Draft.[1]
AFL career
He made his debut in 1993 for the Bears as a 17-year old, but was then dropped back to play for West Brisbane where he hurt his knee and required a complete knee reconstruction. He was unable to play football for 15 months.[2]
His breakout season was in 1999 under new coach Leigh Matthews, when he won the Brisbane Best and Fairest award, was selected as All-Australian for the first time[1] and represented Australia in International Rules.
Under Matthews, Leppitsch became a key component of the Lions spine, playing centre half back in the club's three premiership sides from 2001 to 2003 and earned All-Australian status three times.
Late in his career, Leppitsch battled a chronic hamstring-related back injury which inevitably ended his career due to the resulting calf muscle wastage. He announced his retirement from the AFL on 5 June 2006.[3]
He was inducted into the Brisbane Lions Hall of Fame in 2012.[4]
Coaching career
In October 2006, Leppitsch had accepted a position as an assistant coach with the Brisbane Lions. However, he later signed with Richmond to be an assistant coach in September 2009.[5] In September 2013, Leppitsch signed a three-year contract to be the senior coach of the Brisbane Lions.[6]
References
External links
|
|---|
|
* denotes Rookie Listed players |
|
|
|---|
| | |
Italics denote caretaker coach |
|
| Persondata |
|---|
| Name |
Leppitsch, Justin |
| Alternative names |
|
| Short description |
Australian rules footballer |
| Date of birth |
1 October 1975 |
| Place of birth |
|
| Date of death |
|
| Place of death |
|
