Simon Black reveals how Chris Fagan won him over in Brisbane Lions job interview
Simon Black has lifted the lid on how Chris Fagan won the job as Brisbane coach. And the Lions legend believes a current star will become one of the best to ever play for the proud club.
Chris Fagan had virtually won the job of Brisbane Lions head coach within the first 10 minutes of his interview as champion Lion Simon Black lifts the lid on the appointment of the premiership coach.
And the triple premiership winner Black believes onball star Lachie Neale will finish his career as “one of the greatest Brisbane Lions of all time”.
Black sat on the selection panel in late 2016 with Hawthorn premiership player Peter Schwab and psychologist Matti Clements, as the Lions looked for Justin Leppitsch’s replacement after a three-win season, the lowest tally since the club’s merger.
A renowned football manager at Hawthorn, Fagan told the panel he was a coach first and foremost and he won Black over immediately.
“I was very fortunate to be part of the coaching selection panel and when Fages walked in the door, I had never met him in my life but within 10 minutes of being in his presence it was almost to the point where I couldn’t care if he knew anything about football,” Black said.
“His manner, his disposition, his authenticity and his care for people, I thought this man is going to be out new coach.
“He hadn’t coached for 10 years but he was really adamant to us that he was a coach, that was his passion.
“Great organisations are full of great people and Fages is obviously at the top of that as are our board. He has done a great job to pull it all together.”
Fagan’s tactical nous was questioned persistently as the Lions fell short in September leading to Saturday’s grand final triumph.
But Black said that sometimes a simple mistake from a player could make or break a coach more than tactical mistakes.
The Lions bowed out of September three times in games that were decided be less than a goal – the 2019 semi-final, 2021 semi-final and 2023 grand final – before the flag win.
“For everybody who knocked him about his strategy, you could argue it came down to the players and their skill,” Black said.
“Above everything as a player you wanted to feel like you were supported and on the right path and you would feel that with Chris Fagan because he cares so much.”
The Fagan-led resurrection of the Lions from a club that Black said “fell off a cliff” following the three-peat at the start of the century was “just wonderful” to the 322-game Brisbane great.
“It was a really long 15 years to sort of work our way back,” he said.
A superstar midfielder and Norm Smith medallist in his own right, Black was blown away by Neale, who finished second to youngster Will Ashcroft for best-on-ground honours on Saturday.
Traded in from Fremantle with pick 30 for picks six, 19 and 55 in 2018, Neale has won two Brownlow medals, four All-Australian selections, three Brisbane best-and-fairests and co-captained a premiership in 137 games.
“I have seen some great midfielders and Lachie is right up there,” he said.
“There is no doubt about that. His ability to be able to win the ball in tight and his cleanliness and creativity by hand is incredible.
“He will go down as one of the greatest Brisbane Lions of all time.”
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