Brisbane appoint Cameron Bruce as new senior coach

Summarised from 3 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 9 Nov, 09:43 · Archive

Brisbane Lions have appointed assistant coach Cameron Bruce as successor to Chris Fagan.

The Brisbane Lions have appointed assistant coach Cameron Bruce as their new senior coach, replacing Chris Fagan who walked away from the role after the club's grand final victory in September. The appointment will be officially confirmed on Tuesday. Bruce, 47, was selected ahead of a strong field of candidates including Nathan Buckley and Adam Simpson, both 2018 AFL grand final coaches, as well as Hayden Skipworth, a senior assistant at Collingwood.

Bruce has been an assistant at Brisbane for five years and was responsible for midfield and centre bounces. He is expected to take on his first senior AFL coaching role with a three-year deal. Bruce has been involved in six premierships across his coaching career: two three-peats, first under Alastair Clarkson at Hawthorn between 2013 and 2015, then under Fagan at Brisbane.

Before joining Brisbane, Bruce was an assistant coach at Hawthorn and Carlton. He played 224 AFL games for Melbourne between 2000 and 2010, captaining the club in 2008 and winning their best-and-fairest award that year. He then played ten games for Hawthorn before retiring in 2012, immediately moving into development coaching.

The Lions conducted an extensive recruitment process rather than simply promoting Bruce internally, with the selection panel including chair Andrew Wellington, CEO Sam Graham, football manager Danny Daly and coaching mentor Phil Smyth. Football manager Daly had been seen as a potential candidate but opted not to pursue the role.

Bruce received strong endorsement from his mentor Fagan. 'The only reason he hasn't put his hand up for jobs in more recent years is that he loves it up here,' Fagan said on SEN last month. 'He's got a young family that love it up here as well.' Bruce also had strong backing from many players at the club, with whom he had built a strong rapport since joining from Carlton four years ago.

Fagan left the Lions after a ten-year spell that transformed the club into a powerhouse. He has since taken on a director of coaching role at Carlton.

How it is being reported

• Lions pick assistant Bruce to replace Fagan as coachLong-time assistant Cameron Bruce will be confirmed on Tuesday as the man to replace three-time premiership coach Chris Fagan at Brisbane.The West Australian · 9 Nov, 09:08
• Lions pick assistant Bruce to replace Fagan as coachLong-time assistant Cameron Bruce will be confirmed on Tuesday as the man to replace three-time premiership coach Chris Fagan at Brisbane.Perth Now · 9 Nov, 09:08
• Cameron Bruce wins the race to be Brisbane’s next senior AFL coachThe Brisbane Lions have gone internal and appointed experienced assistant coach Cameron Bruce as the club’s next senior coach to replace three-time flag winner Chris Fagan.WAtoday · 9 Nov, 08:14
• Brisbane settle on Cameron Bruce as their next senior coach to replace departed Chris FaganThe move comes a month after the legendary coach walked away from the role.The West Australian · 9 Nov, 07:50
• Brisbane settle on Cameron Bruce as their next senior coach to replace departed Chris FaganThe move comes a month after the legendary coach walked away from the role.Perth Now · 9 Nov, 07:50

In this story: Cameron Bruce · Chris Fagan · Brisbane Lions · Nathan Buckley · Adam Simpson · Hayden Skipworth · Alastair Clarkson

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