Chris Fagan

Brisbane announce contract extension for senior coach Chris Fagan

The Lions coach is entering his seventh season with the club.

Published by
Mitch Keating

Brisbane have confirmed senior coach Chris Fagan's contract has been extended for a further two years.

The Lions mentor will now be penned to the Queensland club until the end of 2025, taking Fagan into a ninth year with Brisbane.

Fagan, whose contract was set to expire at the cessation of this year, has coached the Lions in 136 matches, recording 73 wins and featuring in four successive finals campaigns.

The 61-year-old took over the senior coaching duties from club great Justin Leppitsch ahead of the 2017 season, with the Lions working through a list rebuild at the time.

Fagan's first two years at the helm would see a return of just 10 wins from 44 games before the Lions shot into finals contention.

Since 2019, Brisbane have played in nine finals matches, reaching the preliminary finals on two occasions.

“Chris has played a key role in the resurgence of our Club in recent seasons, including creating an environment that has enabled us to attract and retain great talent,” Brisbane chairman Andrew Wellington said of the Lions coach.

“It's exciting that Chris has the opportunity to continue to take us forward and achieve the success we believe this playing and coaching group is capable of.”

Fagan's recommitment to the Lions leaves Port Adelaide senior coach Ken Hinkley to be the last remaining AFL coach to be without a contract for 2024, with Bulldogs boss Luke Beveridge the most recent to re-sign prior to Fagan.

LAUNCESTON, AUSTRALIA - JULY 14: Mitch Robinson, Jarrod Berry, Lions head coach Chris Fagan and Rhys Mathieson of the Lions sing the song in the rooms after winning the round 17 AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Brisbane Lions at University of Tasmania Stadium on July 14, 2018 in Launceston, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Brisbane's announcement to re-sign Fagan comes amid an ongoing investigation into serious allegations made against the former Hawthorn assistant coach and general manager.

Past Indigenous Hawthorn players have alleged Fagan had separated players from their families during their time at the club.

Brisbane's announcement to re-sign Fagan coincides with the club's unveiling of their new co-captains, Harris Andrews and Lachie Neale.

Both Fagan and former Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson have refuted the allegations, while the investigation remains ongoing.

Brisbane will face Geelong in their final pre-season match this Thursday before they prepare for their Round 1 bout with Port Adelaide later this month.

Published by
Mitch Keating