Brisbane Lions star Dayne Zorko says reports of a breakdown in relations between players and under-fire coach Justin Leppitsch are untrue.
The Australian reported on Thursday that Leppitsch's position was under renewed pressure because of "lack of unity" at the Lions, to the extent where senior figures at the club were said to have called for an experienced football official to be sent to Brisbane to act as something of a peacemaker.
But Zorko said it was "just rumours" and claimed relationships between Leppitsch and the players had actually improved since last season.
"We can totally dismiss that. We've got a lot of trust and a lot of belief in Leppa and he's doing a really great job at the moment," Zorko told reporters.
"Unless you're inside the four walls you don't really understand what really goes on.
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"These rumours started to happen at this time last year as well but I can dismiss that right now ...things are as strong as they've ever been at the club.
"The playing group stands right behind Leppa, even the senior players."
It comes after the Lions were dealt their 11th consecutive defeat in Saturday's Q-Clash loss to fellow battlers Gold Coast.
Zorko admitted that given their results, there should be some level of unrest amongst the playing group, and there was - but it wasn't directed at Leppitsch, who he said had improved his communication skills since the arrival of player welfare manager Craig Lambert over the summer.
"There's no issue with the way he communicates to the team," Zorko said.
"He's got a clear game plan he wants us to deliver on the weekend. At the moment, as players, we're letting him down."
Zorko also leapt to the defence of Brisbane's on-field leaders, who have come in for regular criticism this year for their lack of on-field impact.
"It's great to have so many young kids coming through and as senior players I think we'd all like to be playing a little better to help take the heat off the young guys, but inside our four walls, what the senior players are doing is phenomenal," he said.
The Lions host Greater Western Sydney at the Gabba on Sunday.
