[3] Brittain's time as assistant coach at Carlton lasted for five years, during which he earned respect as an excellent communicator and game-day tactician.
[4] By 2000, Parkin had so much confidence in his assistant Brittain, that he handed over the tactical responsibility during matches on a regular basis.
[5] It was a method deemed unusual, however, when the Blues were powered by an incredible season by Anthony Koutoufides and won 13 games in a row, and made the Preliminary Finals, it was safe to say that it worked.
With Carlton under Brittain, he guided the club to fifth place in the 2001 season reaching the finals, but were eliminated by Richmond in the semi-finals.
[15][16][17] However after one season, Brittain left the Brisbane Lions, when he departed from his role as assistant coach.