Lions coach defends his AFL captain

Brisbane coach Justin Leppitsch has scoffed at reports Tom Rockliff’s leadership style is splintering the Lions, saying he doesn’t want a wallflower for a captain.

Leppitsch rejected a report on the Nine Network’s The Footy Show last Thursday night that Rockliff’s style was causing friction.

“He’s an in your face leader demanding more. Is that bad?” Leppitsch said after Brisbane’s 87-point away loss to the Adelaide Crows on Saturday night.

“A bit like Hodgey (Hawthorn captain Luke Hodge) is in your face.

“And they ask me whether that is a good thing or a bad thing.

“No, I don’t really want a wallflower as a captain.

“I’m pretty happy to have a guy that wants to drive standards – and he is not the only one, a lot do, and a lot want to get better and that is a positive at our footy club.”

Leppitsch said there would always be personality clashes within teams but denied a major issue inside the Lions.

“Even back when we were winning premierships there was personality clashes, there always is,” he said.

“I think it (the report) was overstated.

“What happens when you haven’t won a lot of games is people are looking for something.

“They are pretty tight group, these boys.

“They’re frustrated, they’re not happy with three wins. But they’re also realstic on the pathway we need to go.”

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