The AFL Commission has been forced to step in and resolve a boardroom split that threatens to leave the Brisbane Lions in turmoil.
Commission chairman Mike Fitzpatrick has invited the current Lions board and a rival ticket led by ex-premiership coach Leigh Matthews to mediation talks in Melbourne on Tuesday in a bid to end in-fighting that could sabotage next season and beyond.
The Lions have been in disarray since the surprise sacking of coach and Brisbane favourite son Michael Voss last month.
Board members Paul Williams and Mick Power launched a rival ticket headed by trump card Matthews in August after they claimed current chairman Angus Johnson “bungled” an attempt to lure Paul Roos as coach.
Ex-Sydney premiership winning coach Roos has since signed with Melbourne.
“The AFL’s preference was for this matter to be resolved internally through negotiation and compromise, but this hope appears to have receded in recent times,” Fitzpatrick said.
“It is crucial that the club’s leadership and direction is settled as quickly as possible to provide the Lions with stability at a time when it is actively planning for the 2014 season and beyond, including the appointment of a senior coach and the development of new facilities.
“As the Lions sign or re-sign key players, recruit members and seek out corporate support, they need a board that is pursuing a clear and united vision for the club.”
A head coach short-list believed to be headed by Neil Craig and Lions triple premiership player Justin Leppitsch has been compiled.
But it seems a decision must be made sooner rather than later with a number of players either asking to be traded or contemplating leaving the embattled club.
Teenage defender Elliot Yeo became the latest to ask to be traded in a bid to return to his home state of Western Australia.
The news came after Lions teammates Patrick Karnezis (Victoria) and Jared Polec (South Australia) also asked to be traded, preferably to their native states.
It is believed Brent Staker, James Polkinghorne, Billy Longer and Sam Docherty are also mulling over their future.
The Lions admitted healing the boardroom rift must be a priority.
“The club recognises the importance of stability and is keen to see the matter resolved ASAP,” a statement said.
“The club also recognises the interests of its members are best served by resolving the board dispute quickly in order for its sole focus to return to strengthening the club on and off the field.”
The Lions could name their next coach before next week’s grand final with ex-Crows mentor Craig tipped to take the reins with Leppitsch as his deputy.
Others believed to be on the short-list are Hawks assistant Adam Simpson, Essendon assistant Simon Goodwin and Sydney deputy Leigh Tudor.