‘Irrelevant to him’: Surprise report on Fagan’s future; stood down Swans set to return to club — Daily
Uncertainty over the future of Brisbane mastermind Chris Fagan has been revealed, as he and his side prepare for a shot at a historic third-straight premiership.
Plus, the five Sydney players who were stood down for breaching club standards are set to return to the club for the first time since their internal punishments. More in AFL Daily!
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‘ALWAYS A CHANCE’: UNCERTAINTY OVER FAGAN’S FUTURE REVEALED
A layer of uncertainty over the future of Brisbane mastermind Chris Fagan has been revealed, as he and his side prepare for a shot at a historic third-straight premiership.
The Herald Sun’s Chief Football Reporter Jay Clark revealed on Monday afternoon that “there is a chance” the much-loved Lions coach’s time at the helm “could be complete” after this weekend’s big dance.
The report made reference to Fagan’s previous stresses within the highly-scrutinised role, and that the 65-year-old will hold conversations with his family and closest friends post-season about what is next.
“I guess there’s always a chance,” three-time Brisbane player Jonathan Brown told Fox Footy’s On The Couch on Monday night.
“I have heard that similar speculation for the last week or so, but I haven’t heard any authority on it.
“So you could understand if he wanted to walk off into the sunset, but especially if he won on Saturday, I think he’d be too tempted to go for four next year. But I’m not sure, you’re a lot closer, Leigh.”
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Brown’s long-time coach and AFL Hall of Fame Legend Leigh Matthews added: “Well, I mean, he’s in his 10th year, and I know for the last few years, at the end of each year, I mean, he doesn’t worry about his contract.
“That’s irrelevant to him. It’s at what point does he get to the end of the year … because coaching is a lifestyle and ‘Bucks’ (Nathan Buckley) knows that.
“It’s a lifestyle that you’re going to have to be prepared to live, and at some point of his time he might decide ‘I don’t want to do that anymore.‘
“But this has been the situation, I would have thought, the last few years, so it’s nothing new much really.”
Fagan is currently contracted until the end of 2027, with Clark’s report stating he certainly won’t coach beyond then at Brisbane.
His reign at Springfield began in 2017, and after taking Brisbane through the back end of a rebuild during his first two seasons as head coach, has qualified for finals in eight consecutive campaigns.
Suspended Swans expected for pre-season | 00:53
STOOD DOWN SWANS STARS SET TO RETURN TO CLUB FOR FIRST TIME
Sydney’s quintet of players who were stood down in August for breaching club standards are reportedly set to return to the club for the first time since their punishments were handed down.
AFL Media reported on Monday that Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, James Jordon and Riley Bice are expected to return to their facilities in some capacity this week, after the Swans were eliminated from the premiership race last Friday night against Fremantle.
It remains unclear whether the five key players will have formal exit meetings like the rest of their teammates, though the possibility of an apology from them to the wider playing cohort remains possible.
The outlet’s report also stated that Jordon is understood to have recently met up with a group of Swans players, among other teammates who have kept in close contact with those punished.
Separately to the club’s punishments, a police investigation into an alleged sexual assault at the Pullman Hotel in East Melbourne remains open, which saw Victoria Police travel to New South Wales and speak to four people as part of their investigation.
Police state they have identified all parties who were in the room at the time of the alleged incident, and are not looking for anyone further. The Age revealed early this month that Bice has been cleared of any criminal conduct in the unfolding investigation, and is said to be treated as one of the potential witnesses.
