Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan stood proudly at the post-match press conference following his team's emphatic 60-point victory over the Sydney Swans in the 2024 AFL Grand Final.
The win marked Brisbane's first premiership since 2003 and capped off a rollercoaster season for Fagan and his team, solidifying his place in AFL history as the oldest coach to claim a premiership at age 63.
In a reflective and emotional press conference, Fagan expressed his deep gratitude for those who supported him during one of the most tumultuous periods of his career. In recent years, Fagan faced intense scrutiny as part of Hawthorn's racism scandal, allegations he fiercely denied and from which he was cleared in a league investigation last year.
"I'm just very grateful for everyone who's stood in my corner and looked after me," Fagan said.
"It was a pretty tough time, especially when things were being said about you that aren't true, but I've had a terrific football club, great family, and friends who believed in me."
Despite the challenges, Fagan remained focused on his coaching, leading Brisbane through a challenging season. The Lions started 2024 in disastrous form, losing their first three games and later languishing in 13th position midway through the year.
However, they staged a remarkable comeback, winning 10 of their last 12 home-and-away games to finish fifth on the ladder.
Fagan attributed much of the team's grand final success to their newfound ability to apply pressure in finals football. Brisbane's tackling dominance in the grand final, where they laid 19 more tackles than the Swans despite having 80 more disposals, was a key factor.
"Our pressure had been a weakness during the season," Fagan admitted.
"We talked about turning it into our secret weapon, and the boys embraced that idea throughout the finals."
Alongside the tactical shift, the emergence of younger players like Kai Lohmann and Logan Morris added another dimension to Brisbane's premiership run. Both players delivered key performances in the grand final, benefiting from opportunities created by the unfortunate ACL injuries to several of the Lions' first-choice players.
Fagan hailed the resilience of his younger charges, saying, "Crisis creates opportunity, and these young players stepped up on the big stage when it mattered most."
While the moment was undoubtedly sweet, Fagan made it clear that the Lions weren't going to rest on their laurels. Reflecting on his previous experience with Hawthorn's premiership dynasty, Fagan noted the importance of staying grounded.
"Winning an AFL premiership is intoxicating, but the challenge is getting back to work and staying focused. We'll enjoy this for a while, but I think the group is motivated to have that feeling again."
In his eighth year with the Lions, Fagan's journey from a struggling club to premiership success has been a testament to his coaching acumen and perseverance. His philosophy of creating a welcoming culture at the club, particularly for young players, has been central to Brisbane's revival.
"I think the culture we've built at the club, where the young players feel welcome and part of the group straight away, has been key to our success," Fagan said.
As Fagan and his team celebrated their drought-breaking premiership, the sense of achievement was palpable.
"When you're the coach of an AFL team, you've got to put up with a lot of scrutiny and pressure. To come from where we were eight years ago to winning today is a very special moment," Fagan concluded.
With the premiership medal now around his neck, Fagan's journey is far from over. The Lions are already looking ahead to 2025, determined to defend their title and build on their premiership success. But for now, Fagan and Brisbane can savour the moment—champions once again.