Leigh Matthews makes a massive statement about the premiership-winning Brisbane Lions

AFL legend Leigh Matthews says it’s more than likely the Brisbane Lions wouldn’t have any of their three historic premierships without inspirational captain Michael Voss.

The four-time premiership coach said that’s how important a strong leader was to a successful club.

Matthews was asked on 3AW if Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson was the first person he’d select if he had to put together a ‘dream team’ to start a premiership tilt.

But Matthews dismissed any suggestion it would be a coach he’d pick first.

‘It wouldn’t be a coach, let me tell you,’ Matthews said on Sports Today.

‘I’d be getting Luke Hodge (in his prime) before Alastair Clarkson, if you had a choice.

‘Great players make great coaches, never get confused with that.’

Matthews said Voss, who captained the Lions to three successive flags, was the ‘benchmark’ in that regard.

He was then asked if the Lions would have won any of their three flags from 2001-2003 without their skipper.

‘Probably not,’ Matthews confessed.

‘That’s how good they are.’

Click PLAY below to hear Leigh Matthews explain more on 3AW