What the evidence says
1. Roles at Hawthorn during premierships
From 2008–2016, Chris Fagan held senior off-field/coaching support roles at Hawthorn:
He was Head of Coaching & Development from 2008 until mid-2013.
After that he became General Manager of Football (from mid-2013 through to the end of 2016), working alongside senior coach Alastair Clarkson.
2. Hawthorn’s premierships while Fagan was in those roles
While Fagan was at Hawthorn in those roles, the club won four AFL premierships: 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015.
3. Attribution by sources
The Wikipedia article on Chris Fagan explicitly states that he “was instrumental in the club’s 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2015 premiership victories.”
At the AFL Coaches Association Awards in 2025, when summarising Fagan’s career, the statement cited: “Head of Coaching & Development – Hawthorn Football Club: Key figure behind Hawthorn’s premiership rise and 2008 premiership. 2013-2016: Oversaw Football Operations during 2013, 2014 & 2015 premierships.”
4. What that means
These are leadership and support roles — not the head coach role. The head coach (Alastair Clarkson during that era) has formal accountability for game strategy, selection, match-day decisions. Fagan’s roles were more about development, coaching support, administrative and operational oversight. The phrase “instrumental” or “key figure” suggests he made important contributions, but not that he was the only one responsible.
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Limitations / nuance
The fact that someone plays a “key” or “instrumental” role doesn’t mean “responsible” in the sense of sole decision maker.
Public sources typically credit Clarkson as the person who leads the team, makes the big calls, etc., while Fagan’s contributions are described in support roles.
There’s no public evidence that he was head coach at Hawthorn during the premierships. So “responsible” has to be understood in the context of the support/coaching infrastructure, not leadership in matches.
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Conclusion
Yes — there is proof that Chris Fagan had significant involvement in Hawthorn’s premierships (2008, 2013-15), and many sources call him “instrumental.” But it would be an overstatement to say he alone was responsible; he was part of a broader coaching, development & management team.
Have at it. Is Clarko a fraud?
1. Roles at Hawthorn during premierships
From 2008–2016, Chris Fagan held senior off-field/coaching support roles at Hawthorn:
He was Head of Coaching & Development from 2008 until mid-2013.
After that he became General Manager of Football (from mid-2013 through to the end of 2016), working alongside senior coach Alastair Clarkson.
2. Hawthorn’s premierships while Fagan was in those roles
While Fagan was at Hawthorn in those roles, the club won four AFL premierships: 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015.
3. Attribution by sources
The Wikipedia article on Chris Fagan explicitly states that he “was instrumental in the club’s 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2015 premiership victories.”
At the AFL Coaches Association Awards in 2025, when summarising Fagan’s career, the statement cited: “Head of Coaching & Development – Hawthorn Football Club: Key figure behind Hawthorn’s premiership rise and 2008 premiership. 2013-2016: Oversaw Football Operations during 2013, 2014 & 2015 premierships.”
4. What that means
These are leadership and support roles — not the head coach role. The head coach (Alastair Clarkson during that era) has formal accountability for game strategy, selection, match-day decisions. Fagan’s roles were more about development, coaching support, administrative and operational oversight. The phrase “instrumental” or “key figure” suggests he made important contributions, but not that he was the only one responsible.
---
Limitations / nuance
The fact that someone plays a “key” or “instrumental” role doesn’t mean “responsible” in the sense of sole decision maker.
Public sources typically credit Clarkson as the person who leads the team, makes the big calls, etc., while Fagan’s contributions are described in support roles.
There’s no public evidence that he was head coach at Hawthorn during the premierships. So “responsible” has to be understood in the context of the support/coaching infrastructure, not leadership in matches.
---
Conclusion
Yes — there is proof that Chris Fagan had significant involvement in Hawthorn’s premierships (2008, 2013-15), and many sources call him “instrumental.” But it would be an overstatement to say he alone was responsible; he was part of a broader coaching, development & management team.
Have at it. Is Clarko a fraud?
