TURNING the Brisbane Lions’ fortunes around starts with on-field success, new CEO Greg Swann says.
Swann was appointed on Friday as the man to succeed Malcolm Holmes, and said he was looking forward to the challenge of resurrecting a club in a non-traditional market.
He said while addressing the club's troubled proposed new training and administration base at Springfield, and its ongoing debt problems were important, the real focus was on-field.
"It's a football club, so the on-field to me is the key," Swann said as he was unveiled at the Gabba on Friday afternoon.
"That's what drives football clubs. That's what we're all here for, we all want success on the ground.
"It's a work in progress but it's certainly not doom and gloom as far as I see it. I think it's exciting to be honest."
Swann departed Carlton after seven years in the role last month. Before that he was chief executive at Collingwood.
The veteran administrator will need to draw on his vast experience at the Magpies and Blues to help revive the fortunes of the embattled Lions.
The Lions are struggling off the field with sponsorship and relevance in the Queensland market, in addition to languishing near the bottom of the ladder.
He said the Lions' situation was a unique challenge, but one he was ready to embrace.
"Both of those clubs (Carlton and Collingwood) were struggling a bit on the field and off the field at the time," he said.
"I really enjoyed that restructure and gradual climb up the ladder and that was part of the attraction for this job.
"I know this is a really tough market.
"I did work at two big clubs so you knew that once you get them fixed it almost takes care of itself.
"This is probably the most competitive market in Australia.
"Back when I started at Collingwood, I came here when the Lions were a powerhouse and I remember what this place was like, you'd get bashed on the field, had crowds going nuts and that was fantastic and that's where you want to get back to. That's the aim."
"The board has always been committed to going through the most thorough process to find the right person for such an important role and we were unanimous in our decision that Greg was that person," Lions chairman Bob Sharpless said.
"Greg was one of a number of candidates who interviewed and presented to the board.
"His wealth of football knowledge and previous success during his stints at both Collingwood and Carlton … made Greg impossible to overlook.
"His appointment also has the full support of the AFL."
