LEIGH Matthews has stepped aside from his two crucial roles on the Brisbane board, claiming his director responsibilities conflicted with his media commitments.

While the three-time Lions premiership coach will stay on as a club board member, Matthews has relinquished the football director and deputy chairman roles he’s held over recent years.

Andrew Wellington will take on the deputy chairman role, while the club’s board will appoint a new football director in the coming weeks when it holds its first monthly meeting of 2017.

Matthews said his work across the football media industry, which included roles at Channel 7 and 3AW radio, made it tough for him to commit to a major role on the Brisbane board in an ongoing capacity.

Round 18

“The board was advised late last year that I would not be the official football director in 2017, as I believed doing that function well was in conflict with both the time commitment and effectiveness of my various media roles,” Matthews said.

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“However, I am happy to remain on the board and continue to help out where I can.”

Lions chairman Bob Sharpless said the board respected Matthews’ decision, adding that he would continue to play a major role in the club’s pursuit “back to relevance in AFL football”.

“Leigh is an important figure in the game and he has a wide range of media commitments that take time and focus — as a board we understand and respect his decision going into 2017,” Sharpless said.

Sharpless added that Wellington’s appointment to the deputy chairman role was “great for the club”.

“Andrew brings excellent financial nous from his work career, a deep knowledge of the game having played and served as an administrator at community level for the better part of four decades, and been a member of our club since 1995,” Sharpless said.

“I congratulate Andrew on his appointment, which comes at an exciting time for the Club with our women’s team about to embark on historic first season in the AFLW competition.”