A BOARDROOM fight that threatens to cost the Brisbane Liosn almost $2 million in AFL funding may yet be the best thing that has happened to the club, incoming coach Justin Leppitsch says.
Leppitsch admitted the stoush between chairman Angus Johnson and a rival ticket led by former triple premiership-winning Lions coach Leigh Matthews was a distraction after arriving in Brisbane to officially take over the reins from ex-teammate Michael Voss.
However, he hinted that AFL boss Andrew Demetriou's decision to withhold $1.8 million funding for the cash-strapped Lions until the boardroom battle was decided was a veiled threat and could only see the in-fighting as a "positive".
"You have a heap of people who love the club trying to do the right thing by the club.
"Obviously it is a distraction because people talk about it. You would prefer it be settled and done.
"But there are a group of people working out the best interests of this football club going forward so it is only a positive thing.
"While it is an inconvenience at this point in time over the coming months it could work out to be the best thing that has happened to the club."
The AFL was last week forced to step in and host mediation meetings between the Lions' warring factions but no real in-roads were made.
The rival ticket has reportedly gained enough members' signatures to warrant an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) - a move Demetriou has openly discouraged.
"They can do what they want but they shouldn't rely on the AFL's financial support," he said of an EGM last week.
The Lions had been hoping to bolster their football department with the $1.8 million AFL injection and Leppitsch admitted the club would struggle to pay staff if it was not forthcoming.
But he added: "That's up to the AFL and everyone deciding whether it (Brisbane) is worth the investment."
Asked if he thought the AFL could allow the Lions to fall over and that withholding the cash injection was a veiled threat, Leppitsch said: "You've answered the question yourself.
"I don't think they want to (see the Lions fall over) either do they?"
Leppitsch is already sweating on funds after earning his first win just days after officially being welcomed as Voss' successor.
He wants to take up to 30 players to their off-season camp at Arizona, almost double the usual number, in a bid to boost team harmony.
It is one approach towards addressing issues that have led to homesick duo Pat Karnezis and Jared Polec asking to leave and the likes of Elliot Yeo, Billy Longer and Sam Docherty mulling over their future.
"It's great to have ideas but you have to fund the ideas, I get that," Leppitsch said.
"But we are all on board with bringing this club closer together.
"To bring everyone to Arizona is one step toward doing that."
