Andrew Fagan’s time in charge at Adelaide rated a ‘mixed bag’ by Mark Bickley but ‘poor’ by Chad Cornes

Departing Adelaide chief Andrew Fagan steered the club through its darkest moment but will he be judged on the Crows’ slide?

Andrew Fagan has quit as CEO of the Crows. Picture: AAP

Crows great Mark Bickley has described outgoing club chief executive Andrew Fagan’s tenure as a mixed bag.

Adelaide announced Fagan’s resignation at its season launch on Thursday night, ending his six-year stint in the role.

His time in charge at West Lakes has included overseeing the Phil Walsh tragedy just 10 months after becoming chief executive, the club’s rise to the 2017 Grand Final, securing the AFLW license, winning two women’s premierships, the controversial pre-season camp and the men’s side claiming its first wooden spoon last year.

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Bickley, the Crows’ only premiership captain, said Fagan began “under the most trying of circumstances” and would have had universal support on the eve of the men’s flag decider.

But the Australian Football Hall of Famer called the period after the 48-point loss to Richmond “a much bumpier ride”.

“It has been a mixed bag – his first three years were definitely better than his last three years,” Bickley told The Advertiser.

“I think the transition from Phil Walsh for what they had to do and get a new coach and look after the playing group and all that, you can’t underestimate how difficult that was

“So that was thrust upon him, I think everyone at the footy club did a phenomenal job and if he sits near the top he has to take a fair bit of credit for that

Andrew Fagan walks off the MCG after Adelaide’s Grand Final loss in 2017. Picture: Sarah Reed

“After that he managed the entry of the women’s team, which has been an enormous success … and to get to the 2017 Grand Final

“But then there has been a number of areas to do with the footy department I guess that haven’t been where many of the supporters want it to be.”

But former Port Adelaide star turned media personality Kane Cornes rated Fagan’s overall performance poor.

“The number one role is having a strong football program and he led in the role overseeing the worst Crows side in the history of the club,” Cornes said.

“Without dancing on someone as they’re leaving, he didn’t perform to the level required. “What happened was the priorities were the wrong way round.

“You need to have full focus on a football program and get that right, and the rest comes.

“Financially the club is in a good place … but when hasn’t it been?”

Fagan with with Crows AFLW players Jessica Sedunary and Ebony Marinoff and Workskil CEO Nicole Dwyer. Picture: AAP

Hawthorn champion Jason Dunstall, who was part of the panel that reviewed Adelaide’s football department at the end of 2019, believed it had been a successful seven-year period for Fagan.

But Dunstall said he would also be remembered for the last years at the helm.

“The things that he’s been through and seen the club through – I know they paid off a lot of debt and are very strong financially,” Dunstall told foxfooty.com.au.

“The only problem is the last couple of years when you play in the Grand Final and then go down to the bottom of the table for a couple of years, that’s how people judge you.”

Media personality Ken “KG” Cunningham was of a similar view to Bickley.

“It’s probably a mixed bag,” Cunningham said.

“He gave me the impression he was very much orientated towards the business side of the club.

“There has been some criticism of the fact he and some others in the club weren’t as close to the members as they should have been but, overall, I would think he’s done a pretty good job.”

Crows chief Andrew Fagan quits

- Simeon Thomas-Wilson

Andrew Fagan is to leave his role as chief executive at the Adelaide Crows, chairman John Olsen has announced.

Olsen revealed at the Crows season launch that Fagan, who has been CEO at West Lakes since late 2014, had tendered his resignation and would “transition” out of his role as the club embarks on a new strategic agenda.

Fagan was at the helm of the Crows for some of their most challenging times.

This included the tragic death of senior coach Phil Walsh in 2015, and the huge impact of COVID-19 on the club’s finances.

Fagan said he began talks with former chairman Rob Chapman about the transition, because the club needed someone “in it for the long haul”.

“In recent times we have made a number of key decisions, relating to both football personnel and other areas of strategic focus, with a view to best preparing the club for a post-pandemic Australian sporting landscape,” he said.

“The CEO who leads the club through this process must be in it for the long haul and I am not that person, and I firmly believe this position should not be a long-term role for any individual.

“It is demanding and intense and the football industry moves at a fast pace, and I relish the thought of spending some time with my family before embarking on a fresh challenge.”

Olsen said the Board of Directors accepted Fagan’s decision and reasoning.

Andrew Fagan has been Crows CEO since 2014. Picture: AAP

“Given the much talked about changes that have taken place, including the commencement of a rebuild of the playing list and development of a new strategic plan following the global pandemic among others, the timing is now right,” Olsen said.

“When Andrew first arrived at the Crows, he spoke openly about his term being in the vicinity of 5 to 7 years.

“The Board thanks him for his service and acknowledges his contribution to the growth and stewardship of the Club during some very challenging periods.

“We now need a CEO who will steer the Club through this next phase and Andrew will continue in his role for some time to come to assist in the transition process.”

The Crows board, in conjunction with a recruitment firm, will seek expressions of interest from potential candidates.

The club said it wants the position to be filled as soon as possible.

At the Adelaide Convention Centre Olsen said Fagan would continue in his role “for some time” to assist with the transition process.

“In his words given the decisions that have been made over the past 12 to 18 months,” Olsen said.

“The commencement of a list rebuild and key appointment to the football program, progress on a new facility and the development of a new strategic plan post pandemic the timing is now right to appoint a CEO that will drive the Adelaide Football Club over the next five years.”