The Brisbane Lions are expected to announce their replacement for three-time premiership coach Chris Fagan this week, with assistant Cameron Bruce believed to be competing against Nathan Buckley, Hayden Skipworth and Adam Simpson for the role.
Bruce is regarded as the leading internal candidate, although Brisbane has maintained that no decision has been made. The club is weighing whether to continue with a coach from within its existing programme or begin a new era under one of the experienced external contenders.
Fagan retired shortly after guiding Brisbane to a third consecutive premiership, secured with a late surge against Fremantle in an epic grand final. He is due to join Carlton as director of coaching in 2027 after 243 matches in charge of the Lions, recording a 61.32 per cent winning rate.
The appointment will be judged against the challenge of sustaining a period of remarkable success. Brisbane has reached the finals in eight successive seasons and appeared in four consecutive grand finals under Fagan, including four finals appearances during each of its past three premiership campaigns.
Brisbane Lions consider next era after Chris Fagan
Those involved in the process believe the internal option must be shown to be at least as capable as the external candidates before Bruce is appointed. The new coach will also be expected to preserve the momentum generated by Fagan at one of Australian sport’s most prominent positions.
Bruce has been part of six premierships as a development or assistant coach at Brisbane, Carlton and Hawthorn since 2013. He played 224 matches for Melbourne and 10 for Hawthorn before retiring in 2012, then joined the Lions in 2022 and took responsibility for the midfield and centre bounces in 2026.
The players hold Bruce in high regard. The Lions’ football operation, led alongside football manager Danny Daly, is regarded as well structured and largely player driven.
Brisbane’s selection panel consists of chairman Andrew Wellington, chief executive Sam Graham, Daly and coaching mentor Phil Smyth. Board member Leigh Matthews, a four-time premiership coach, is advising the panel, while Simon Black and Matti Clements are also being consulted.
Buckley and Simpson faced each other in the 2018 premiership, which West Coast won under Simpson. Simpson left the club in 2024 after 242 matches and a 50 per cent winning record, and has since worked in the media.
Buckley returned to coaching as a Geelong assistant in 2025 after leaving Collingwood in 2021. He coached the Magpies for 218 matches, winning 54 per cent of them, and has also been considered for vacancies at Tasmania, Melbourne and North Melbourne.
Skipworth is another experienced assistant who worked in Buckley’s coaching box at Collingwood. He has also coached his own team in the VFL during spells at Essendon and is regarded as a strong communicator.
It is unusual for a club to appoint a new coach immediately after a premiership. Allan Jeans returned to Hawthorn in 1989 after Alan Joyce temporarily took charge during the club’s 1988 flag-winning season, while Peter Jones replaced Alex Jesaulenko at Carlton after the 1979 premiership.
