Leigh Matthews Biography

Collingwood legend Peter Moore will present the 2023 premiership cup should the Magpies, while Brisbane's three-time premiership coach Leigh Matthews will do the honours if the Lions are triumphant.

Leigh Matthews has steps down as deputy chairman and football director of Brisbane.

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

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

As the clock ticks towards a review into Justin Leppitsch's coaching tenure at the Brisbane Lions, his key backer in Leigh Matthews appears to have again softened his once unshakable support.

Speaking on his regular spot on Adelaide's 5AA radio station on Wednesday night, Matthews said his primary focus was the health of the club, not an individual.

When asked if his allegiances lay with Leppitsch, Matthews was firm.

"No, no, no, no, my flag is next to the Brisbane Lions' best interest," Matthews said.

"Everyone that knows me, knows that.

"Let's not kid ourselves here. Whatever happens in my footy life, the team comes first - always has, always will.

"If you're asking that specific question of my philosophy about football clubs, let's not kid ourselves, that's the case."

Gold Coast chairman Tony Cochrane has slammed Leigh Matthews for his call for the Brisbane Lions to be the only AFL team based in Queensland.

Matthews on Monday night reiterated his belief that two Queensland clubs would not be sustainable in the long-term.

"I thought that from the very beginning – nothing will change that," Matthews told Channel Seven.

"I don't think there is a demand for two teams in this part of the world."

But Cochrane said Matthews' comments didn't take into account the AFL's long-term plans to grow the game in the northern states.

"Firstly, everybody slightly forgets Gold Coast is the sixth-biggest city in Australia, it's just passed 600,000 people," Cochrane said.

"The fact of the matter is they made a very smart and wise long-term decision for the next 25 to 40 years, and that is that 52 per cent of the population of Australia lives north of the Murray (River)."