BRISBANE Lions captain Jonathan Brown admits the sacking of former coach Michael Voss came as a huge shock to the playing group.
On Channel Nine's The Footy Show on Thursday night, Brown said the players believed Voss was on the verge of re-signing.
Newspaper reports suggesting a new two-year deal was close to signed meant his sacking blindsided the group.
Brown said he was asked about the coach by Lions chairman Angus Johnson not long before his eventual dismissal.
"Angus asked me how Voss was travelling I said he'd done a good job this year and I was hoping he would stay on as coach," Brown said.
"I presumed and I think everyone else just presumed 'Vossy' was going to get re-signed.
"He wasn't successful yet but I thought he had the opportunity to be successful down the track.
"Vossy kept rebuilding and playing the younger players but obviously the board wanted to move in another direction."
Brown admitted he believed Voss was sacked so the club could speak to former Sydney Swans premiership coach Paul Roos.
"They were probably trying to free themselves up to get Paul Roos or to get into the race to talk to Paul Roos but it hasn't worked out," he said.
"Now they have to go and find another coach."
