Brisbane assistant poached by rival following premiership campaign

“I’ve learnt so many life and football lessons, and I’ll be forever grateful for the journey this football club has taken me on.”

STAFF WRITER | October 3, 2024 - 3:35pm

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Brisbane Lions premiership assistant coach Murray Davis will leave the Lions as he has taken a new role with the Adelaide Crows.

The premiership assistant coach has been with the Lions for 13 seasons and will join the Crows in the position of Coaching Director, a newly created role at West Lakes.

He has also worked in Brisbane's development team and coached in his own right, which included leading the NT Thunder to a NEAFL premiership in 2011 in their inaugural season. Davis has twice won Coach of the Year awards in local leagues.

The veteran ends his time at the club after playing a key role in helping the Lions win a premiership.

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Brisbane Lions General Manager Football Danny Daly thanked Davis for his contribution over the 13 seasons.

“Murray has been an extremely valuable member of our club for more than a decade, and we are forever grateful for what he has given us,” Daly said.

“He has played a vital role in helping the club go from bottom of the ladder to premiers, especially working with our defenders and forwards.

“As a club, you never want to see good people go, however, after 13 years, we understand Murray's reasons for wanting to take on a new challenge.”

Davis thanked the club and spoke on his decision to leave the premier-winning Lions.

“I would like to thank the Brisbane Lions Football Club and all the people that I've worked closely with over 13 seasons,” Davis said.

“I've learnt so many life and football lessons, and I'll be forever grateful for the journey this football club has taken me on”

“It's been a difficult decision due to the connections I've built over my time, yet I leave knowing the club is in great hands.

“To leave on such a high with the club in an incredibly strong position and as a premiership assistant coach is very special to me.”

Crows Executive General Manager Football Adam Kelly said being a senior coach is demanding and challenging, wanting Matthew Nicks to have the best structure and support in 2025.

“Over the past couple of months, we have been evaluating and exploring ways in which we can finetune our coaching structure and have been searching for someone to complement the strengths of Matthew and his assistants,” Kelly said.

“Murray comes to us with a diverse range of football and coaching experiences, as well as detailed insights from a high-functioning and successful program at Brisbane.

“We have the utmost respect for what Brisbane have been able to do and the way in which they have gone about their business, and Murray has been a witness and contributor to their rise.”

The Crows have not made the top eight since their 2017 grand final loss. Nicks has been the coach of the Crows since 2020, with 2025 an important year for the club and his future.