irel
Norm Smith Medallist
Please indulge me as I establish a Fagan Appreciation Thread.
Yes, I understand that no single individual can achieve what our club has accomplished. Greatness is forged through a collective, a gestalt system of players, coaches, staff, and supporters all pullingin the same direction. But even within that collective, there are figures who rise above, who become the heartbeat of the journey. And Chris Fagan is undeniably that figure.
He is the steady hand at the helm, the guiding light through both triumph and turbulence. It is on his shoulders that we’ve been carried, through rebuild, heartbreaks, and now, to the brink of something truly extraordinary. His influence is not just tactical. strategic or managerial; it’s deeply human.
Fagan’s brilliance lies not in ego or bravado, but in his relentless work ethic, his emotional intelligence, and his uncanny ability to see greatness in others, then nurture it. He empowers, he inspires, and he leads with a quiet conviction that draws people in and lifts them up. Under his stewardship, the Brisbane Lions have not only become perennial contenders, they’ve become multy premiership winners and most of all believers.
This club, this team, is far from finished. In fact, to me, it feels like we’re only just beginning. And when the story of this era is told, Fagan’s legacy will echo through every chapter. His fingerprints are on every moment, every breakthrough, every roar from the Lions faithful.
Even those who once doubted him and yes, even Fagan himself has spoken candidly about his own battles with self-doubt, anxiety, and panic, can now see the power of perseverance and authenticity. The Fagan Way is not just a coaching philosophy, it’s a testament to resilience, humility, and belief.
So build the man a statue. Celebrate him. Because whether you wear maroon, blue, and gold or simply admire from afar, you’ve been touched by his impact. He’s not just a coach, he’s a builder of culture, a shaper of men, and a beacon for what leadership can truly be.
Thank you, Chris Fagan, for the privilege of walking this journey with you. The ride continues and we’re all better for being on it.
Yes, I understand that no single individual can achieve what our club has accomplished. Greatness is forged through a collective, a gestalt system of players, coaches, staff, and supporters all pullingin the same direction. But even within that collective, there are figures who rise above, who become the heartbeat of the journey. And Chris Fagan is undeniably that figure.
He is the steady hand at the helm, the guiding light through both triumph and turbulence. It is on his shoulders that we’ve been carried, through rebuild, heartbreaks, and now, to the brink of something truly extraordinary. His influence is not just tactical. strategic or managerial; it’s deeply human.
Fagan’s brilliance lies not in ego or bravado, but in his relentless work ethic, his emotional intelligence, and his uncanny ability to see greatness in others, then nurture it. He empowers, he inspires, and he leads with a quiet conviction that draws people in and lifts them up. Under his stewardship, the Brisbane Lions have not only become perennial contenders, they’ve become multy premiership winners and most of all believers.
This club, this team, is far from finished. In fact, to me, it feels like we’re only just beginning. And when the story of this era is told, Fagan’s legacy will echo through every chapter. His fingerprints are on every moment, every breakthrough, every roar from the Lions faithful.
Even those who once doubted him and yes, even Fagan himself has spoken candidly about his own battles with self-doubt, anxiety, and panic, can now see the power of perseverance and authenticity. The Fagan Way is not just a coaching philosophy, it’s a testament to resilience, humility, and belief.
So build the man a statue. Celebrate him. Because whether you wear maroon, blue, and gold or simply admire from afar, you’ve been touched by his impact. He’s not just a coach, he’s a builder of culture, a shaper of men, and a beacon for what leadership can truly be.
Thank you, Chris Fagan, for the privilege of walking this journey with you. The ride continues and we’re all better for being on it.
