Speaking just days after resigning as Lions coach, Matthews said his senior players were to blame for the side’s frequent final quarter fadeouts.
“I can say it now...the Lions are quite thin for composed on-field leadership when games are getting tight,” Matthews told a function in Brisbane.
But the man who coached the Lions to three consecutive premierships gave the tick of approval to his successor, former Lions premiership captain Michael Voss.
“He is intelligent and he understands how individuals work within teams. He will make hard decisions.
Matthews said the worst mistake he made as Brisbane Lions coach was putting ex-Lion and current Western Bulldog Jason Akermanis in the leadership group after the 2005 season.
Akermanis and Matthews had a much publicised falling out the following year, resulting in the Brownlow medallist being traded to the Victorian club.
“Plenty said don’t do it (add Akermanis to the leadership group). Aker sees himself as a media personality,” Matthews said.
