Lions coach Chris Fagan has been singled out for criticism over the glaring situation.
An unexpected loss to Collingwood revealed a sobering truth about the Lions’ chances of making the AFL finals, and AFL legend David King responded with an unusual jab at Brisbane coach Chris Fagan. After leading by 17 points with five minutes remaining in their second-to-last game of the regular season, Fagan’s team appeared to have a critical top-four position all but secured. However, the Pies scored three goals in a row to take the lead and pull off an incredible one-point victory.Due to the costly error, the Lions were unable to overtake the Cats for fourth place and benefit from Geelong’s defeat against St Kilda. Furthermore, Brisbane will almost certainly lose out on the double AFL finals opportunity that comes with a top-four finish unless Geelong suffers an unexpected loss against West Coast in the final home-and-away game of the regular season.
It also means that in order for Fagan’s squad to win the premiership, they will have to become the first in 25 years to win three straight away games. Eight of the Lions’ previous twelve finals games have been played at the Gabba, demonstrating their strength at home in the championship round. However, they have only won one in four games on the road under Fagan in the championship series.
Brisbane’s chances of winning the playoffs are dimmed by the fact that the Lions have led in five of their last six games played at the MCG but were unable to turn their advantages into wins. King, a former Kangaroos premiership player, called it a massive letdown for a side he feels has the “best list” in the AFL and blamed Fagan and the Lions coaching staff specifically.
“They’ve got the best list – I think their on-field talent is better than a fifth position on the AFL table after 23, 24 rounds,” King told Fox Footy’s First Crack. “The question mark is in the coaches box. It’s as simple as that. The challenge right now is that when these moments come, the other team gets their way. And they are able to force situations that put Brisbane into a flat spin. It happens too regularly. Geelong have got half the talent Brisbane has got and they’re in the four.”
Fellow AFL great Leigh Montagna agreed with King and said the Lions had blown a “golden chance” to finish in the top four, labelled Brisbane “the biggest loser” of the weekend. And the St Kilda legend warned that Fagan’s men would have to defy history if they hope to go one better than last year and win the AFL premiership in 2024.
“No one in over 25 years, going back to Adelaide in ‘97, have been able to win three away games in a row to win a premiership,” Montagna said. “It’s almost set themselves an impossible task. Considering two weeks ago, they were the favourites. I had them as the favourites. They were in the box seat and it was all opening up for them.
“They’ve let a golden opportunity slip for me. I find it really difficult for them to win the premiership. They’re going to have to defy history and I think they’ve only got themselves to blame. BREAKING NEWS: Collingwood exposes grim AFL finals reality – Brisbane Lions under fire
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