‘Brilliant thing to do’: Fagan on Queenstown homecoming invite

Lions premiership coach Chris Fagan says a homecoming to Queenstown would be a “brilliant thing to do” after a Tasmanian mayor invited him to visit the tiny town with his players and the cup. Get the details here.

Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan and co-captain Lachie Neale hug after the grand final win. Picture: David Caird

Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan says a return to Queenstown accompanied by his players and the premiership cup would be “a brilliant thing to do” after a Tasmanian mayor offered him a hero’s homecoming.

Fagan, 63, became the oldest person to coach an AFL team to the flag after the Lions’ 60-point grand final thrashing of Sydney on Saturday.

The tiny town of Queenstown on Tasmania’s west coast is most famous for its heritage-listed gravel oval and triple Brownlow medallist Ian Stewart. But West Coast Mayor Shane Pitt hopes the town’s other great export will grace them with his presence.

The Mercury revealed on Friday that Mr Pitt sent a letter to Fagan on Wednesday asking him to visit Queenstown with the cup and his players.

Asked about the chances of doing so on SEN Tassie on Friday morning, Fagan said: “I’d love to bring the cup down to Tassie, I’d love to go to Queenstown and do that.

“I don’t know if that’s going to be possible or not, if it can be done I’d love to do it. I lived the first 15 years of my life there and loved every minute of it.

Chris Fagan with the premiership cup. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“I’ve had a lot of people there be supportive of me all through my life, that would be a brilliant thing to do if I could.”

Pitt said in his letter a Fagan visit would show the town’s youth that achieving lofty goals is possible.

“Queenstown and the West Coast community have faced many challenges over the years. Your story is inspirational to many, not only to those of us who are aware of your contributions but most importantly, to our youth, who are discovering that the West Coast of Tasmania, Queenstown, has produced many talents and has a lot to be very proud of,” Mr Pitt said.

“I would like to invite you, and your Brisbane Lions players, to visit Queenstown with the premiership cup. We think this would be a wonderful opportunity to come back home for a short period, and introduce your players to the iconic Queenstown (gravel) Oval, which was inducted into the Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame in 2007.

West Coast Mayor, Shane Pitt. Picture: Linda Higginson

“A community event, such as a meet and greet and coaching clinic for the local kids, would be most welcomed and would create a memorable “talking point”, adding to our already unique history and stories to be told for many years to come.”

Fagan was crowned the AFL’s coach of the year by his peers after guiding the Lions from a horror 2-5 start to the season to their first premiership in 21 years.

“As Mayor of the West Coast, it is heart warming to see such a result. Not only from the years of hard work and dedication that you have committed to the sport, but it sets such a fine example of what can be achieved with passion, mentoring, genuine care and guidance for those in your team,” Pitt wrote.

“Queenstown and the West Coast community have faced many challenges over the years. Your story is inspirational to many, not only to those of us who are aware of your contributions but most importantly, to our youth, who are discovering that the West Coast of Tasmania has produced many talents and has a lot to be very proud of.

“On behalf of the West Coast Council, please accept my congratulations, and I lookforward to speaking to you in the near future.”