AFL website and 7Newsâs Tom Morris are both reporting that Chris Fagan has decided to step down as Brisbane coach.
The clubâs best and fairest award will be held tonight.
Meanwhile, this Sundayâs AFLW game between the Lions and the Suns will be free entry for Ipswich and Springfield residents who have registered online.
End of an era.
Brisbane avoids the trap of their previous 3-peat coach Leigh Matthews overstaying for 4 years after the 3-peat from 2005-08 before retiring and Hawthornâs 3-peat coach Alastair Clarkson doing the exact same thing from 2016-21 before being pushed out and handed over to Sam Mitchell
Brisbane made the grand final under Matthews in 2004 but lost in their attempt to get a 4-peat and Hawthorn in 2016 finished top 4 and went out in straight despite under Clarkson in the year after the 3-peat
Confirmed by Lions
The Brisbane Lions today confirm that Senior Coach, Chris Fagan has informed the Club he will retire from the role after 10 extraordinary seasons at the helm, closing a defining chapter in the Lions history. pic.twitter.com/K7J7lkRBDl
â Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) October 1, 2026
Goes out on the highest of highs - nothing left to prove. Got to hand it to him, well played.
In their final match of season 2005 - exactly 700 days after they completed their premiership hat-trick - the Lions suffered a record 139-point loss to St Kilda which remains their worst ever loss to date (and also St Kildaâs biggest ever win).
St Kilda had the team to win the flag that year but were overrun by Sydney in the last quarter of the preliminary final despite having a week off.
He really had a great ride on the Lions. Iâm glad heâs gone out on a high well done to himâ
Since Chris Fagan arrived in Brisbane in late 2016, replacing Justin Leppitsch as coach, his plan was to turn the fortunes around. They had assistance from the AFL during that period. In 2019, the Lions saw a massive resurgence, rising from 15th to 2nd at the end of the home and away season. That year, Lions were knocked out of straight sets (Richmond and GWS â both at Gabba). In 2020, the Lions improved, by winning a Final for the first time since 2009, but were eliminated in rhe preliminary final by the Geelong Cats. Fast forward to 2022 â the Lions won two finals matches â Richmond (home), Melbourne (at the MCG), but were thrashed by Geelong
The 2023 year was a big one for Chris Fagan. They made the Grand Final, only to lose by 4 points to Collingwood. In 2024, after a slow start, the Lions managed to win the last 14 out of 20 home and away matches to seal finals spot. The Lions had a spectacular run in September â beating Carlton at home in the elimination final, and achieved a huge come from behind victory over GWS Giants in the Semi Final, they also completed a come from behind victory over Geelong in the preliminary Final before smashing the Sydney Swans in the Grand Final.
And in 2026. The Lions achieved the hat trick of premiership. Just got to demonstrate how much Chris Fagan has achieved in Brisbane Lions.
Congratulations Fagan, and may you have a happy retirement.
And Hawthorn started season 2017 0-4 after a straight sets win with Clarkson overstaying
They replenished their list after a straight sets win and relied on veterans
All Awards
Rookie of the Year: Ty Gallop
Marcus Ashcroft Most Professional Player Award: Ryan Lester
Shaun Hart Trademark Player of the Year: Cameron Rayner and Jarrod Berry
Playersâ Player of the Year: Josh Dunkley and Logan Morris
Finals Player Award: Josh Dunkley and Will Ashcroft
Youi Fan MVP: Will Ashcroft
Life Memberships: Oscar McInerney, Jarrod Berry, Hugh McCluggage and
Peter Blucher
This weekâs club best and fairest winners also included
Marcus Bontempelli has added another milestone to his glittering CV, claiming an equal club-record seventh Charles Sutton Medal at Crown Palladium on Wednesday night.
The 30-year-old polled 319 votes to finish ahead of 2025 winner Ed Richards, who claimed the Doug Hawkins Medal for a second-place finish with 248 votes, with young defender James OâDonnell awarded the Gary Dempsey Medal for third place with 231 votes.
Other club best and fairest winners revealed in early September:
Gold Coast: Bodhi Uwland
GWS: Lachie Ash
Port Adelaide: Jason Horne-Francis
West Coast: Harley Reid
A round 17 2004 141 point demolition of Adelaide at the Gabba saw Brisbane paid the ultimate price and began their decline and the end of the original era
Heeneyâs award hasnât gone down well for some:
While Sherele has her own reasons, I wonder if she had read the address by Swans chairman Andrew Pridham at the awards event last night?
Brownlow medallist Nick Daicos has claimed Collingwood best and fairest award for the second time.
Jordan Dawson won Adelaide best and fairest for four years in a row.
Fremantle also inducted five Life Members earlier in the evening with captain Alex Pearce, co-vice-captain Caleb Serong, defensive pillar Brennan Cox, Club senior physiotherapist Marshall Stockden and ceremonial leader Dr Richard Walley honoured as new inductees.
Update 5/10
Sam Walsh won Carltonâs best and fairest last night.
Update 6/10: North Melbourne president Sonja Hood confirmed Grahamâs appointment in an open letter to members.
Brisbane Lions consider making stunning Nathan Buckley move after Chris Fagan exit
Nathan Buckleyâs AFL coaching dream has taken a fresh twist with an unlikely suitor expressing interest in making him the clubâs next head coach.
The Brisbane Lions are reportedly seriously considering making a move for Nathan Buckley as they prepare for life after Chris Fagan.
What a dream to walk into if he did.
Tom: "Do you think it'll be a Twilight Grand Final in 2028?"
Xander: "Yep."
The Breakers Podcast
â 7AFL (@7AFL) October 6, 2026https://linktr.ee/7AFLTheBreakers https://twitter.com/7AFL/status/2107387205442580629/photo/1
