The vital team behind Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan

A new coach often sweeps out the other key posts at a club. But when Chris Fagan arrived at the Lions at the end of 2016, the thought never crossed his mind. Now his faith is being rewarded.

The Brisbane Lions’ journey to the 2019 finals didn’t start in the Round 1 clash against the West Coast Eagles at the Gabba.

It wasn’t even at the week-long pre-season training camp in Hobart.

It all began almost three years ago at Brookwater Golf Club, when incoming coach Chris Fagan held a two-day meet-and-greet session with his support staff.

“We had all the assistant coaches, all the medical and fitness staff, everyone who had anything to do with the team,” Fagan said.

“It was the first time I’d met most of them and it was a chance for them to learn about me, my beliefs and philosophies.

“I thought it was important for me to be clear from the start about what I wanted us to achieve. Role clarity is half the battle, whether you’re a coach or a player.

“After that it was up to me to deliver on the words. There’s always that question isn’t there, ‘You can say it, but can you do it?’.

“I’m glad to say that everyone bought into it, and I’m so proud of what they’ve done.”

Brisbane coaches Murray Davis, Dale Tapping, Scott Borlace, Ben Hudson, Chris Fagan, Jed Adcock and Danny Daly. Picture: Annette Dew

Given the season the Lions are currently enjoying, it might seem obvious that Fagan has got an outstanding team of assistant coaches around him.

But when he arrived from the high-flying Hawthorn Football Club for the start of the 2017 season, they were considered anything but world-beaters.

In fact, after three bitterly disappointing seasons under coach Justin Leppitsch, culminating in just three wins in 2016, most would have expected to be looking for new employment.

Even when a team is travelling well, a new coach will often put a broom through the club and bring in his own support staff.

Fagan says it never crossed his mind.

“Sometimes the assistant coaches can get a bad rap when the club is not going well,” he said. “I had the view that if they were willing to work I’d give them a chance.”

Fagan’s senior assistants include his right-hand man Danny Daly, defence coach Murray Davis, stoppage coach Ben Hudson, midfield transition coach Dale Tapping, and former Lions captain Jed Adcock, who is in charge of the forward line.

All but Tapping, who was with Collingwood, and Adcock, who was on staff at the Bulldogs, were with the Lions when Fagan arrived.

“When someone comes in and makes mass changes, a lot of intellectual property walks out the door,” Fagan said.

“I was happy to work with the people that were already here and they’ve been fantastic. We’ve all grown together.”

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Assistant coach Jed Adcock keeps an eye on Lions training.

Scott Borlace, who Fagan describes as “good as any in the country”, is head of development.

The club’s development coaches include Zane Littlejohn, Paul Henriksen and Mitch Hahn.

Fagan is at pains to stress that no one coach – including himself – is more important than any other, but makes special mention of Daly.

“Danny is incredibly important to me when it comes to strategy. He takes a holistic view on offence and defence – studies the opposition.

“He’s very underrated, but he’s a fantastic resource and we’re fortunate to have him.”

Fagan says the fact that several of his coaching staff – including him – come from a teaching background is an important factor in the team’s success.

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“In a way we have to teach our players to be coaches,” he said.

“They can’t be reliant on us, they have to be able to make decisions independently.

“I think the players appreciate that. They can see that we are interested in them more as people than as players.”

And it all started over those two days at Brookwater.

“I could tell when I turned up that we all had a lot of learning and development to do,” Fagan said.

“We had to fast track it and it has been good for us.

“It has been a collective effort. It’s not just about me as the head coach, we’ve become a really good team with a close bond.”

And, as if to emphasise that fact, he signs off with some friendly writing instructions.

“Make sure it’s less about me and more about them, will you?,” he asks.