A Brisbane assistant coach is said to be the “overwhelming favourite” to land Brisbane’s vacant senior-coaching gig.
It comes after the news that football boss Danny Daly wouldn’t throw his hat in the ring, but rather sit on the selection panel to pick the next coach.
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A long-time footy administrator, Daly has spoken on multiple occasions about his desire to one day be a senior coach, but it won’t be as Chris Fagan’s successor.
Joining Daly in deciding on Fagan’s replacement are Lions chairman Andrew Wellington, chief executive Sam Graham, coaching mentor Phil Smyth, and director Leigh Matthews in an advisory capacity, with support from club great Simon Black and sports psychologist Matti Clements.
Black and Clements were both a part of the selection process that saw triple premiership coach Fagan offered the senior coach role in 2016.
But while Collingwood great Nathan Buckley’s prospective chances were boosted by Daly’s preclusion, Seven’s Tom Morris believes Brisbane assistant Cameron Bruce is at the front of the queue.
“I think Cameron Bruce is the overwhelming favourite at the moment,” Morris said on Agenda Setters.
“This is a two-week block I reckon; this is going to move pretty quickly for the Lions, they’re not going to delay things.”
Cameron Bruce now shapes as a leading contender to be the next Brisbane senior coach. (Photo by Travis Hayto/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Bruce, who has served at the Lions since 2021, had been in charge of the club’s midfield group under Fagan.
The 47-year-old transitioned into coaching after his 234-game AFL career with Melbourne and Hawthorn ended in 2012.
Bruce, who turned down an offer to enter Carlton’s head-coaching process this year, was also a part of the Hawks’ 2013-15 premiership dynasty as an assistant under Alastair Clarkson.
While Bruce is now viewed as the favourite, Cats assistant and former Collingwood coach Buckley may be one of the men standing in the way.
Featuring on Fox Footy’s On The Couch last month, Buckley said he determined 12 months ago he’d “love to be a senior coach again,” having applied for — but eventually pulling out of — the Kangaroos coaching search over the weekend.
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Whoever replaces Fagan at Brisbane will try and steer the club to a record-equalling fourth-straight premiership in 2027.
“The appointment of our next senior coach is an important decision for the club’s future, and I am pleased we have assembled an experienced and highly skilled panel to lead a thorough and considered process,” Lions CEO Sam Graham said.
“I am also pleased to confirm Danny Daly has accepted an elevated role as general manager football to lead our football program, recognising both his first-class leadership and his role overseeing our high-performing football environment.
“Danny has decided not to pursue the senior coach role and will play a key role in selecting and supporting the new coach as the club enters the next phase.
“We will now work through this process methodically and take the time required to identify the best person to coach our AFL team into its next chapter of sustained success.”