THE BRISBANE Lions will add six new positions to their football department from next year after an internal review found the club was severely under-resourced in the vital area.
The Lions announced the wide-ranging review after a disastrous year on and off the field with chief executive Michael Bowers, coach Michael Voss, former Adelaide Crows football manager John Reid and Terry Coyne, an organisational specialist, appointed to conduct the five-week appraisal.
The key implementation of the review will see Reid fill the role of general manager of football, at least in the short term. That was left vacant when long-serving GM Graeme Allan departed for Team GWS in February.
"This is the most thorough review process we've undertaken of our day-to-day operations since Leigh Matthews joined the club in late 1998," club chairman Angus Johnson told lions.com.au.
"Our members and supporters can be confident that no stone has been left unturned in our commitment to improve as a football club.
"We believe that the restructure will help better define people's roles and boundaries within the organisation as well as provide the necessary resources required to complete their jobs to the highest possible standard.
"We are confident that we now have the right structure in place and are committed to recruiting the best people for the vacant roles within our football department."
Voss' coaching staff will increase by two assistants with Brownlow Medallist Shane Woewodin already appointed to join Jade Rawlings, Adrian Fletcher and Beau McDonald in the expanded department.
Former Crows forward Brett Burton has already taken up the new role of physical performance manager.
Chief operating officer of football Dan Collins, who took over some of Allan's duties following his departure, has since left the club.
Head of player development Craig McRae will return to Melbourne for family reasons, with his position to be filled by former Port Adelaide official Darren Trevena.
Voss will also have the expertise of two game analysts to call upon as he plots a return to the top eight in 2011.
A review of the administration of the club is ongoing.
