Brisbane Lions Expected to Name Fagan Successor This Week, Bruce Favorite
The Brisbane Lions are expected to name a successor to three-time premiership coach Chris Fagan this week. Cameron Bruce, an internal candidate, is the favorite, with Nathan Buckley, Hayden Skipworth and Adam Simpson also under consideration for the AFL job.
The Brisbane Lions are expected to announce a replacement for three-time premiership coach Chris Fagan this week, with internal candidate Cameron Bruce considered the favorite, according to details reported on November 8, 2026.
The AFL club is weighing whether to promote Bruce or start a new era under an external candidate. The outside names are Nathan Buckley, Hayden Skipworth and Adam Simpson.
The Lions have insisted they have not settled on a successor. Fagan retired soon after leading Brisbane to a third consecutive flag, when the team overcame Fremantle with a late finish in the grand final.
What the club wants
Industry sources with knowledge of the process, who asked not to be named, said the club must be convinced an internal appointment is at least as capable as the external options.
The Lions also want a coach who can keep up the momentum created by Fagan's record in Queensland and nationally. The job is one of the most high-profile in Australian sport.
The selection panel includes chair Andrew Wellington, chief executive Sam Graham, football manager Danny Daly and coaching mentor Phil Smyth. Board member Leigh Matthews, a four-time premiership coach, is acting in an advisory capacity. Simon Black and Matti Clements are being consulted.
Under Fagan, the group reached eight consecutive finals series and four straight grand finals. The club still sees itself as a strong premiership chance in 2027.
The candidates
Bruce has been involved in six premierships as a development and assistant coach at the Lions, Carlton and Hawthorn since 2013. Players hold him in high regard.
He played 224 matches for Melbourne and 10 for Hawthorn before retiring in 2012. He joined Brisbane in 2022 and handled midfield and centre bounces in 2026.
Buckley returned to coaching as a Geelong assistant in 2025. He finished at Collingwood in 2021 with a 54 per cent winning record from 218 matches. He has also met with Melbourne and North Melbourne about their vacancies and was a candidate for the Tasmania Devils job.
Simpson coached West Coast to the 2018 premiership and left the club in 2024 with a 50 per cent winning record from 242 matches. He has worked in the media since.
Skipworth is a well-credentialled assistant who began at Collingwood in the coaches' box alongside Buckley. He previously coached at Essendon, including a stint in charge of a VFL team, and is considered a good communicator.
Clubs rarely change coach after a premiership. Peter Jones replaced Alex Jesaulenko in 1980 after a board coup following the 1979 flag.
Fagan has announced he will join Carlton as director of coaching in 2027. He finishes with 243 matches and a winning percentage of 61.32.
