“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.”
Brisbane Lions premiership assistant coach Murray Davis will depart the club after 13 seasons to take on a new role with the Adelaide Crows. Davis will become the Coaching Director, a newly created position at West Lakes.
During his tenure with the Lions, Davis contributed to various facets of the club, including their development team. Notably, he coached the NT Thunder to a NEAFL premiership in their inaugural 2011 season. He is also a two-time Coach of the Year in local leagues.
Davis leaves the Lions after playing a pivotal role in their recent premiership success. His move marks a significant step in his coaching career as he transitions to his new role with the Crows.
Brisbane Lions General Manager of Football Danny Daly expressed his gratitude for Murray Davis’ 13-season contribution to the club. Daly praised Davis, saying, “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. He played a vital role in helping the club go from bottom of the ladder to premiers, especially working with our defenders and forwards.”
Daly acknowledged the difficulty of parting ways with such a key figure but respected Davis’ desire for a new challenge after his long tenure.
In response, Davis thanked the Lions and reflected on his departure. “I would like to thank the Brisbane Lions Football Club and all the people that I’ve worked closely with over 13 seasons. I’ve learned so many life and football lessons, and I’ll be forever grateful for the journey this football club has taken me on.”
While leaving was a tough decision due to the deep connections he’s formed, Davis expressed confidence in the club’s future, saying, “I leave knowing the club is in great hands.”
Murray Davis expressed his satisfaction with leaving the Brisbane Lions on a high note, saying, “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.”
Adelaide Crows Executive General Manager of Football Adam Kelly emphasized the importance of providing head coach Matthew Nicks with the best structure and support for the 2025 season. “Over the past couple of months, we have been evaluating and exploring ways to finetune our coaching structure, looking for someone to complement the strengths of Matthew and his assistants,” Kelly said.
Kelly praised Davis’ wealth of experience, stating, “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 has achieved, and Murray has been a key contributor to their rise.”
With the Crows not making the top eight since their 2017 grand final loss, 2025 is a critical year for both the club and Nicks, who has been head coach since 2020.