Fagan Feels for Swans as Lions Lock In Third — and a Likely September Showdown

Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan says he feels sorry for the Sydney Swans over the scandal that has sidelined five of their players for the rest of the season, calling the situation "a bit of a head-scratcher."

Fagan's comments came after Brisbane's 63-point win over Collingwood on Friday night, a result that all but locked in third place for the reigning premiers. But the night's bigger story was unfolding 750 kilometres south, where the Swans were still reeling from the suspensions of Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, Riley Bice and James Jordon for breaching club standards.

A police investigation is continuing into events at East Melbourne's Pullman Hotel in the early hours of Monday morning. No charges have been laid. The five players were suspended on Thursday.

Fagan said he has not spoken to his own players specifically about the Sydney situation. "I don't mind either or, to be honest with you," he said when asked about the prospect of facing the embattled Swans in a qualifying final — the first week of the AFL finals series, where the top four teams play each other for a direct path to a preliminary final. (AFL.com.au)

That clash is now the most likely scenario. Sydney, sitting in the top four, will most likely host Brisbane at the SCG in the first week of September — unless Hawthorn can leapfrog the Lions into third place on percentage, the tiebreaking measure used when teams are level on premiership points. (ABC News)

The Swans will face North Melbourne this weekend without their banned quintet. James Rowbottom, Harry Cunningham, Angus Sheldrick, Caiden Cleary and Tom Hanily will come into the side as replacements.

Fagan also suggested the crisis could have an unintended effect. He told media the turmoil might galvanise the Swans on the pitch, bringing the remaining group closer together at the most important time of the year. (The New Daily)

For Brisbane, the win over Collingwood was another step in a season where Fagan is preparing to break the Lions' all-time coaching record, a milestone that had club great Leigh Matthews praising his tenure earlier this month. (AFL.com.au) Fagan's contract runs until the end of 2027, and the club has indicated it wants him to continue beyond that. (AFL.com.au)

The Lions' season has not been without its own turbulence. After a heavy loss to Greater Western Sydney in May, Fagan said players and staff sat down for a blunt discussion about returning to their core values. (AFL.com.au) That honesty session sparked a run of form that has Brisbane peaking at the right end of the year.

For fans, the prospect of a finals meeting between a red-hot Brisbane and a Sydney side either galvanised or gutted by the week's events is the kind of storyline September is built around. The SCG, should it host the qualifying final, will be a venue worth watching.