DESPITE his team sitting last on the ladder with just two wins this season, Brisbane Lions coach Justin Leppitsch could not be more confident they're on the right track.
And he has Richmond to thank.
Leppitsch worked as an assistant to Damien Hardwick from 2010-2013, when the Tigers progressed from six wins, to eight, to 10 and ultimately the finals.
He said watching them defeat Hawthorn last Friday night and surge towards another finals campaign reaffirmed his belief the Lions could follow a similar path.
In his first season in charge in 2014, Leppitsch coached the Lions to seven wins, but the win-loss column will not be as pretty this year.
Richmond's premiership tilt has been six years in the making, and Leppitsch says he's seen it all before.
He has one year left on his contract and says his belief in his own ability was as strong as ever.
"I've seen it too many times. I watched Richmond on Friday night and that gives me even more belief because I rode their cycle," Leppitsch said on Thursday.
"We're doing exactly the same thing as what the Brisbane Bears did in the early '90s, what Hawthorn did, what Geelong did and what Richmond did when I was there as an assistant.
"We're doing exactly the same (things) off the field.
"The short-term vision and the wins and losses haven't added up right now, but I know long-term, I've seen this cycle and the people you have to bring into your organisation, off field and on field."
There's been sweeping changes in Leppitsch's two years, with 25 players turned over, a new CEO in Greg Swann, new chairman in Bob Sharpless and footy manager Dean Warren resigning this week, effective from season's end.
The Lions have also endured a shocking, year-long injury crisis.
"Small-mindedly, people could say we've gone backwards," Leppitsch said.
"I've also never seen a year so injury-riddled. I've never seen this sort of year.
"We've got to cop it on the chin that we had a poor year as a club and as a coaching group and playing group (but) we'll all get better."
Leppitsch added some spice to Saturday's QClash against Gold Coast at the Gabba, saying while it was fair for people to compare their on-field exploits, off-field there could be no comparison.
"They've been given a plethora of first-round talent. We don't have any of that," he said.
"They've been given far more concessions and salary cap concessions and other things that we have not been given at all.
"If you talk about what has been given to the two franchises, they're stark.
"I think (Suns coach) Rodney Eade would be sitting there pretty comfortable that he's got some players, his starting midfield are all going to be future champions that haven't played this year.
"I'd think he's sitting there comfortable that (in the) long term, they're going to be fine."
