Chris Fagan steps down after Brisbane's third straight flag

Chris Fagan is stepping down as Brisbane Lions coach after leading the club to a third straight AFL premiership.

Brisbane confirmed the call after 10 seasons at the helm. It came less than a week after the Lions beat Fremantle in the title decider Brisbane Lions.

That grand final finished 14.12 (96) to 12.17 (89). In footy scoring that means 14 goals and 12 behinds for 96 points, against 12 goals and 17 behinds for 89 points. The margin was seven points.

The AFL is Australian football's top league. Its grand final is the championship game. The winner earns the premiership.

Fagan, 65, is walking away from the final year of his contract. He told the club he wants to be closer to family and return to Melbourne with his wife Ursula ABC.

He had been contracted until the end of 2027. He admitted he was torn about whether to coach on in 2027 or go out on top AFL.

Fagan took charge in 2017. Brisbane won only five games in each of his first two seasons. Then the Lions played finals in eight straight years.

He coached 243 games at Brisbane at 61.32 per cent wins. That took him past Leigh Matthews for the most games coached at the club.

The run brought flags against Sydney, Geelong and then Fremantle. It is the second premiership three-peat in the club's history.

The streak could easily have been longer. Brisbane also made the 2023 grand final and lost by four points to Collingwood.

Fagan arrived with a deep resume. He was on Hawthorn's coaching staff for the 2008 flag and the three-peat from 2013 to 2015. In 2024 he became the oldest premiership coach in league history at age 63.

What makes this stand out is the timing. Coaches rarely get to choose the exit. Fagan leaves with three flags in a row and a list still in contention.