‘Terribly simplistic’: Chris Fagan hits back at criticism of Brisbane Lions’ AFL finals record

Lions coach Chris Fagan called criticism of his side’s recent finals record “terribly simplistic” after yet another heartbreaking play-offs defeat.

The Lions’ semi-final clash with the Bulldogs went right down to the wire. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Brisbane senior coach Chris Fagan has defended the Lions’ finals record after they went out of the premiership race in straight sets for the second time in three years in the heartbreaking one-point loss to the Western Bulldogs at the Gabba on Saturday night.

The Lions have finished in the top four for the past three seasons but have a 1-5 win-loss record in September to show for it.

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“It’s terribly simplistic. We got beaten by three points in a semi-final two years ago, tonight we got beaten by a point,’’ Fagan said.

“We’re a whisker away from being in three preliminary finals in a row with a really young group. I can’t stop people from saying what they say, they’ll look at that record and go, it’s one win and five losses in finals.

“I don’t think we played well last week and I don’t think we played well in the preliminary final last year, but I think the other four finals we’ve played really well and could easily have won all of those games.

“We’ve got to live with our reputation and the only thing we can do is try and get back there next year and put that to bed.

“We’re one of two teams that have finished in the top four at the end of the home and away season (for the last three years).

“We’re becoming a consistent footy club and you’ve got to keep just knocking on the door to find a way in and hopefully win a premiership at some point in time. There’s so much upside to our group because we’ve got a lot of young players that will only get better.”

Fagan declined to elaborate on the 28-19 free kick count against the Lions with one Brisbane supporter restrained by police above the umpires’ race as the match officials left the field after full-time.

“There are some things you’re better off not to comment on and that’s one of them,” Fagan said.

“It’s a tough game to umpire and I haven’t looked at the tape and sometimes you need the benefit of that before you make a comment, whether the umpires have made an error or we were poorly disciplined.

“I can’t really comment accurately on that.”

Fagan has coached the Lions since 2017. (Photo by Jono Searle/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

He said that it was a sombre mood at the Gabba post-match but that the disappointment should only stoke a fire within the Lions players and staff.

“We’re all flat. We put in a good contest tonight and to not come away with the points is disappointing for us but it will harden us going forward. All these things in the end help you,” Fagan said.

“It’s been a rollercoaster year for us … we’ve been so close, yet so far.

“Hopefully that eats away at us a little bit and makes us better in the future.

“In some ways I think in my time here, this year has been our best year because we’ve had a bit more adversity than we’ve had in previous years.

“Slow start, lots of injuries to good players, another little form slump a few weeks ago, I think we’ve shown a lot of character this year and I think it’ll hold us in good stead going forward.

“From a macro point of view, it was a really good progressive year, from a micro point of view, the game tonight, it was disappointing we couldn’t get up for a win.”

The Lions have exited the 2021 finals series in straight sets. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Fagan said the Lions created enough scoring opportunities with 68 inside 50 entries but the injury-hit forward line struggled for cohesion with star recruit Joe Daniher kicking the one goal for the match.

“They had one more shot … they scored a bit better from stoppage than what we did. They had a bit of an edge in contested ball but the stats for the whole game were pretty even. We had 68 inside 50s so it will fair to say we left a few scoring opportunities out there tonight I reckon,’’ Fagan said.

“It was challenging (without the injured duo Eric Hipwood and Dan McStay).

“Joe didn’t have the best finals series, it would be fair to say … but I know there’s brighter days ahead for Joe. I’m not too stressed about that’’.

Originally published as ‘Terribly simplistic’: Chris Fagan hits back at criticism of Brisbane Lions’ AFL finals record