Beth backs son Chris Fagan to get Brisbane Lions over the line in AFL grand final at the MCG on Saturday

Chris Fagan may be an outlier in AFL coaching ranks due to his age, but there’ll be one 86-year-old at the MCG on Saturday who’ll be cheering even louder than the Brisbane mentor should the Lions win.

IPSWICH, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 24: Chris Fagan, Senior Coach, greets fans during a Brisbane Lions AFL training session at Brighton Homes Arena on September 24, 2024 in Ipswich, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Beth Fagan will be Australia’s proudest mum if her son Chris takes his Brisbane Lions to the AFL premiership in the 2024 showdown against Sydney at the MCG on Saturday.

Beth watched the Lions come oh so close to winning the AFL’s ultimate prize last year, falling four points short against Collingwood.

Chris sent tickets to his mum so she can attend again this year, chaperoned by her daughter Anne Maree.

Brother Grant, sister Anne-Maree, mum Beth and brother David. The Fagan's in Hobart ahead of Chris Fagan coaching the Brisbane Lions in the AFL grand final. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Beth, 86, hopes Brisbane can give Chris the ultimate reward.

“I’m unbelievably excited,” Beth said.

“It would mean everything if they could win.

“He’s so wrapped up in his team and his players, it would be icing on the cake for him.

“I’d be very happy for Chris, if he was happy.”

Anne-Maree was on the rollercoaster of emotions at the “G” last year and will be back on the ride again on Saturday.

“I’m just looking forward to taking mum to the grand final to see Chris hopefully in a premiership,” she said.

“It has been a year of challenges and as a family we’ve ridden the waves with Chris.

“It would be so amazing to see him get the success he deserves.”

Chris Fagan. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Chris’ brothers Grant and David were at the MCG last year but will watch from afar this time.

“We are very proud of him _ he’s done a great job,” David said.

“He’s had to step up a number of times as leader of that club this year and take them through those steps to get them to where they are today and it has been great to watch.”

A simple philosophy makes the former champion player a stand-out coach at all levels, from the under-18 Tassie Mariners, senior Tasmanian statewide coach at Sandy Bay, AFL assistant-coach and now Brisbane’s senior leader.

“Deep down he’s just a guy who cares about his players,” David said.

“Tactically, he’s very solid, he learns as much as he can about the game, he’s willing to take risks, he’s a very determined person and when he puts his mind to something he generally goes about doing it pretty well and having a lot of success.

“If they can win on Saturday we’ll be extremely pleased for him.

“It will be a very exciting time, he’s earned it and deserves it in our view.”

Originally published as Beth backs son Chris Fagan to get Brisbane Lions over the line in AFL grand final at the MCG on Saturday