Brisbane head coach Chris Fagan has stressed his Lions are set to contend again in 2024 after falling four points short in the 2023 AFL Grand Final.
With a 73.07 per cent win rate across the past five seasons, Fagan's pride has proven a comepetion powerhouse, even if the ultimate prize has eluded them.
And though the Sunshine State side would run Collingwood close before a capacity crowd at the MCG, Brisbane's premiership drought will now extend into its 21st year.
At 62, Fagan became the oldest man lead his side into a premiership decider for the first time. And while his record will remain unbroken next season, the Tasmanian professed that his side was primed to return to the season's final stage in 2024.
"We're well and truly in the window and I think we've only just moved into the window," Fagan told the press post-game.
"I know because we've been in finals the last five years the banter has been we may be going to miss our window, but I don't think so, I think we're still moving into it.
"We've just got to make sure we handle this loss well, don't get too upset, don't get too downhearted.
"Use it as a spur to get better."
Fagan harked back to history, claiming that losing deciders often had positive impacts in the ensuing 12 months.
"There's lots of teams in the history of the game that have lost close grand finals and gone on to win premierships in the ensuing years," Fagan said.
"You know me, that'll be my attitude, what can we learn today to make us a better team next year and I'll never veer away from that.
"There's plenty of history around to say that grand final losses don't have to define you or destroy you, they can make you, so that's what we'll be looking to do."
The 2024 season will be Fagan's eighth at the Gabba, having taken the reigns from Justin Leppitsch following the 2016 season.
Since he commenced calling the shots in 2017, Fagan has carved a 87 win, 63 loss record from his 150 starts, good enough for a 58 per cent win rate.
