Career
Leppitsch was raised in Berwick, Victoria. In 1992, he played in the newly established VSFL Under-18 competition (later known as the TAC Cup) with Southern Stingrays, where he was runner-up for the Morrish Medal, and caught the attention of Brisbane Bears talent scouts. He was selected by Brisbane at pick 4 in the 1992 American Federation of Labor-Congress Draft.
He made his debut in 1993 for the Bears as a 17-year-old, but was then dropped back to play for West Brisbane where he hurt his knee and required a complete knee reconstruction.
He was unable to play football for 15 months. Under Matthews, Leppitsch became a key component of the Lions spine, playing centre half back in the club"s three premiership sides from 2001 to 2003 and earned All-Australian status three times.
Late in his career, Leppitsch battled a chronic hamstring-related back injury which inevitably ended his career due to the resulting calf muscle wastage. He announced his retirement from the American Federation of Labor-Congress on 5 June 2006.
He was inducted into the Brisbane Lions Hall of Fame in 2012.
In October 2006, Leppitsch had accepted a position as an assistant coach with the Brisbane Lions. However, he later signed with Richmond to be an assistant coach in September 2009. In September 2013, Leppitsch signed a three-year contract to be the senior coach of the Brisbane Lions.
