Brisbane’s triumphant playing group “believe” Chris Fagan will guide the Lions’ quest for a fourth successive flag next season despite speculation that the triple premiership-winning mentor might step down after 10 years at the helm.
Celebrations continue for the Lions after their remarkable seven-point weekend grand final win over Fremantle at the MCG, where Brisbane kicked four unanswered goals in the final four minutes of the contest to break Dockers hearts.
“You just don’t win grand finals like that,” Lions veteran Dayne Zorko told SENQ radio on Monday morning.
“Fremantle on the day (was) way better than us. We didn’t play our best footy … but we hung in there.
“We found a way just to stay in touch with them. We had a clinical four minutes and thankfully, it got us the result.”
While the Lions will now start plotting for a fourth straight AFL premiership, who will coach the club next season remains uncertain despite Fagan having a year of his contract to run.
The 65-year-old coach is toying with the idea of leaving on the high of three consecutive grand final wins and is yet to decide whether he has the necessary “energy” to keep going.
However, the chance to help Brisbane become just the second club in VFL/AFL history after Collingwood (1927-1930) to win four straight flags will also factor into Fagan’s decision.
“There’s a lure there,” Fagan told SEN on Monday.
“It sounds pretty good. Nobody else has done it in AFL history. It has been done in VFL history in the past by one of the Collingwood teams.
“There’s a little bit of that, but even if I decide to go, it’s still there for the team. It’s not just about me, it’s about what the team and the club can do.”
Zorko was understanding of Fagan’s uncertainty but seemed confident the coach would remain with the Lions.
“I did hear that he wants to finish on top, but also with the team he’s got, he’s got a real opportunity to put ourselves one out in (AFL) history as well, so I know that would be a dangling carrot for him, but I can also see how he doesn’t really want to leave the club not on a high,” the former Brisbane captain said.
“They’re all big decisions for him to make in due course, but I haven’t had an inkling from him that he would pass the baton down yet.
“We all still believe that he will still be our coach next year, but if he isn’t, what an incredible servant for our football club he’s been.
“I just can’t express the gratitude, and I haven’t got enough words to express how much he’s done for me as a person (and for) our whole organisation.
“He’s just been a rock the whole time. It’s just been phenomenal.”
Originally published as Lions players back coach Chris Fagan to stay despite retirement speculation after grand final win