JUSTIN Leppitsch is a candidate for the Brisbane Lions' coaching job after fronting the coaching selection panel on Thursday.
The triple-premiership player began his coaching career as an assistant coach at the Lions after his 227-game career ended at the club in 2006.
He coached at the Lions from 2007-2009 as an assistant to Leigh Matthews, even coaching the team in his own right in a NAB Cup game. Matthews sits on the selection panel for the Lions' coaching job.
Leppitsch then moved to Melbourne as an assistant coach at Richmond under the club's newly appointed Damien Hardwick.
He has impressed as the Tigers' defensive coach taking the team from a club that conceded 2348 points in 2010 to 1754 in 2013. That placed the Tigers in the top three defensive clubs after the home and away season.
He has also been responsible for the development of youngsters such as Alex Rance and Dylan Grimes.
AFL.com.au understands Richmond was happy for Leppitsch to apply for the job but will retain him should be not be successful in getting the position at his former club.
The Lions interviewed Melbourne interim coach Neil Craig and Hawthorn assistant Adam Simpson last week.
Sydney Swans assistant coach Leigh Tudor is also reportedly a candidate.
Despite speculation that Alan Richardson will be interviewed for the job, Port Adelaide has not yet been approached by the Brisbane Lions to interview him.
Port Adelaide remains in the finals and Richardson is understood to be enjoying the role he started this year.
Simpson is considered one of the favourites for the senior assistant role at Melbourne but neither he nor Tudor can be appointed to any role until their respective club's finals campaign finish.
The Lions have copped criticism for sacking Michael Voss as coach late in the season without a replacement lined up.
New Melbourne coach Paul Roos told the club soon after he was approached he would not be a candidate as he was unwilling to relocate to Brisbane.
Several players have also indicated a desire to be traded. The club would be much better placed to attract new players with a coach in place.
Lions football manager Dean Warren would not comment on the candidates but said he had been impressed with those they have interviewed and the club was very confident of obtaining a quality coach.
"We are making good progress and will be in a position to make a strong selection once the process is completed," Warren said.
Leppitsch, 37, would be a very popular choice among Lions members. He won the club's best and fairest in 1999 and is a three-time All Australian.
