Chris Fagan steps down as Brisbane Lions coach after three straight flags

sportsOct 1, 202621138

Chris Fagan has stepped down as Brisbane Lions coach days after leading the club to a third-straight AFL premiership, a 14.12 (96) to 12.17 (89) victory against Fremantle. He leaves after 10 seasons and a club-record 243 games in charge, having won 148 matches for a 61.32 per cent winning record. Fagan told the club he wanted to step away from the final year of his contract to be closer to his family and said returning to Melbourne was a factor. Fagan took over the Lions in 2017, that season finishing with five wins and the wooden spoon, then guided Brisbane to eight consecutive finals appearances. Under Fagan the Lions reached four straight grand finals from 2023 to 2026, losing the 2023 decider to Collingwood before winning by 60 points in 2024, beating Geelong in 2025, and defeating Fremantle last weekend to complete the three-peat. The club said it respects Fagan's decision and that steps will be taken to appoint a new coach in due course. The club also noted Fagan passed Leigh Matthews for the most games coached in Lions history during his tenure.

Rohan Connolly

@rohanconnolly65.bsky.social

You could tell after the GF Chris Fagan was going to call it a day. But what a note to go out on, a flag hat-trick! He's helped rewrite the AFL coaching manual. You DON'T have to have played at the elite level & you CAN be a decent bloke. Congrats Fages, you deserve all the plaudits! #chrisfagan

779d ago

Killerspud2

So few people have the good sense to go out on top.… … but Chris Fagan ALWAYS had good sense

Swamp

@sirswampthing.bsky.social

List of people to finish last in their first year as a V/AFL senior coach and first in their last year CHRIS FAGAN #AFL

219d ago

Luke Foley

@lukefoley.me

For a bloke who never played football at the highest level what Chris Fagan achieved in his coaching career as an assistant and as head coach is nothing short of extraordinary. What a legend.

199d ago

Kate-Eviva5

Seriously amazing man. He has definitely been one of the reasons to watch the Lions play.

André Brett3

Whoever follows him at Brisbane has some of the biggest shoes to fill in footy history

Trjn2

Genuinely bizarre feeling as a Lions fan. I don’t want him to retire but he’s absolutely earned this.

jenny breadful1

his players clearly love him. they play for him. there's a bond there that will be tough for the next coach to step into. unless, like you say, they promote from within. that would make sense.

ABC News Bot (unofficial)

@abcnewsbot.bsky.social

AFL premiership-winning coach Chris Fagan has stepped down from the club days after securing a third-straight grand final victory.

39d ago

ABC News Australia

@news.abc.net.au

Chris Fagan took a weary Brisbane Lions side from the bottom right to the very top of the AFL

49d ago

Jessica D. M. 🇺🇦 🇦🇺 🇨🇦 🇵🇦 🇬🇱 🪃 🟧

@jessicaperthwa.bsky.social

Fagan steps down as Brisbane coach after 10 years and three flags - www.afl.com.au/news/1625919 #AFL It's a shame, however good on him

49d ago

Craig's Late Night Douche Bag Patrol🦘🦘🦘

@vincentsworkisdone.bsky.social

Even a non watcher of AFL for a long, long time now, like me, saw the retirement of Chris Fagan coming a mile away. If you didn't and you are a regular watcher. Maybe you should stop. And equally if the Lions had lost. He may have continued on for one more season.

29d ago

Killerspud

@killerspud.bsky.social

So few people have the good sense to go out on top.… … but Chris Fagan ALWAYS had good sense

29d ago

Glenn Peters

@nightwatchman.bsky.social

Chris Fagan. Incredible coach. Love to know more about how he did it.

29d ago

Roos_99

@leighhahn.bsky.social

From surprise appointment in 2016; to wooden spooner in 2017; to successive premierships in 2024, 25 & 26; to can’t believe he won’t be there in 2028. Chris Fagan has a unique, profound & beautiful #AFL legacy. Congratulations.

19d ago