AFL

'Honestly don't know': Fagan unclear on his AFL future

By Roger Vaughan

Sep 25, 2026

Chris Fagan will again wait until after the grand final to confirm his future as he stands poised to join one of AFL coaching's most select clubs.

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There has been speculation over the last few days about whether Saturday could be it for the two-time Brisbane premiership coach.

While Fagan said nothing has changed from the last couple of years - he will speak with Lions hierarchy once the season is over - the 65-year-old acknowledged on Friday that he has had the role for a decade.

If Brisbane beat Fremantle on Saturday at the MCG, Fagan will become only the seventh VFL/AFL coach to mastermind a premiership three-peat.

"I'm only worried about the game tomorrow," Fagan said at the pre-game media conference.

"Every year, for the last two or three years, I've had a chat with our CEO and president about when's the right time for me to finish up.

"This is my 10th year, so I've been going for a while. I will get through this game and probably have the usual chat I've had every other year."

Fagan's long-time confidant Leigh Matthews - who coached the Lions to their 2001-03 three-peat - and former Brisbane captain Jonathan Brown discussed Fagan's future earlier this week.

Brown suspects Fagan would want to try for four in a row if the Lions win, while Matthews said coaching is a lifestyle and Fagan might decide at some point he does not want to do it any more.

"That's OK, it's fair enough to speculate about it, but I honestly don't know right at this point in time whether I will keep going or not," Fagan said.

"I was like that last year and the year before, so we just have to work out the right time to go.

"It's not the big issue - we have to play a big game tomorrow."

As Fagan and the Lions try to win another premiership, Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir and his team are looking to win the club's first flag.

Sitting next to Fagan, Longmuir said the goal was to make sure that whatever happens on Saturday, it is only the start of a successful Dockers era.

"I've thought about this moment for a number of years," Longmuir said about the prospect of Fremantle winning the premiership.

"It would fill me with great pride to be able to do that. But win or lose tomorrow, it's not the end of the journey.

"We want to create something that 'Fages' has created - where you're contending for a number of years."

VFL/AFL THREE-PEAT PREMIERSHIP COACHES

* Jack Worrall, Carlton, 1906-08

* Jock McHale, Collingwood, 1927-30

* Frank "Checker" Hughes, Melbourne 1939-41

* Norm Smith, Melbourne, 1955-57