Mick Power defends Lions legend Leigh Matthews Leigh Matthews has Mick Power's support. Picture: Darren England. MICK Power has leapt to the defence of Leigh Matthews slamming Lions chairman Angus Johnson for questioning the AFL Hall of Fame Legends honesty. The BMD boss has backed claims from Matthews published in The Courier-Mail on Thursday that the AFL had guaranteed a financial package that hinged on the two warring parties agreeing to a compromise board. According to Power, the offer was presented to he and Matthews in a teleconference with the AFL's two senior figures CEO Andrew Demetriou and his deputy Gillon McLachlan. Johnson says the article was "factually incorrect, outrageous and totally wrong."" He also said Demetriou had phoned him and described the report as a "blatant lie." Matthews has been in regular contact with the AFL and have received no complaint about the story. Power has remained silent throughout the bitter battle but said Johnson's attack on Matthews was the final straw. "When Angus says it has nothing to do with the funding it is not right,"" Power said. What he has rejected is an improved finance package. We got that assurance from Demetriou, if the compromise board was accepted, we would get more than what we are currently getting. "I have no doubt what Leigh said was right, I'm standing by him."" Matthews, a three time premiership winning coach at Brisbane, has become the face of the "Fresh Start" group that is challenging Johnson and has the public endorsement of Demetriou. But within the corridors of AFL House it is Power who has emerged as a cornerstone of the league's hopes for the club's future. Power heads the largest private construction and development group in the country, with an estimated personal fortune of over $500 million, and has deep connections in business, sport and politics all over the country. He has received approaches from the Queensland Rugby League and the AFL are desperate not to lose him to their biggest competitor. His personal contribution to the Lions exceeds $1m. Johnson has assured Lions members there was no connection between any funding and the compromise board endorsed by the AFL and says the report was deliberately misleading. But he admits he rejected the AFL's proposal. Power says the $1.835m funding arrangement put before the AFL Commission last week remains on the table - contingent on board stability which will now only be achieved through the EGM. But he insists the league made an additional guarantee of ongoing financial security linked to the club's debts and additional cash advances that was dependent on the establishment of a new board that did not include Johnson.