Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan was reportedly involved in a heated confrontation with a journalist following his side’s loss to Essendon on Sunday, according to veteran reporter Damian Barrett.
Despite his side being ravaged by COVID-19 in the lead-up, Fagan almost masterminded his side to a famous victory, but was unable to overcome its absences as the Bombers ran out 10-point winners at the Gabba.
According to Barrett, Fagan took issue with AFL.com.au’s Michael Whiting over a line in his match report where he said the Lions’ effort was “sub-par” for much of the contest.
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“There was certainly a tense moment,” Barrett revealed on Nine’s Footy Classified.
“It’s the reference to the “sub-par for much of the day” which was made aware to Chris Fagan prior to the press conference happening.
“They certainly came together, they were in very, very close proximity. There’s varying events. Chris Fagan is saying it didn’t get physical. It’s certain they got very close, his space was invaded, to use that terminology.
“I think time over again Chris wouldn’t have done what he did. He has, according to a conversation I had with him today, apologised for whatever happened to Michael Whiting, who is one of the very good journalists in the country.”
Barrett denied the incident was an example of Fagan being out of control, but admitted the club’s finals record under his guidance was a source of frustration.
“What it shows to me is they don’t like us talking about the five losses out of the six finals he has coached. They don’t like that. That is a statement of fact,” he said.
“They also wouldn’t like the fact that they’ve lost four out of their last seven now.”
Essendon great Matthew Lloyd said the reported incident was evidence that Fagan had come under increasing pressure at the club.
“If you’re blowing up over something like that, it just shows how uptight he is,” he told Footy Classified.
“They had one of the toughest weeks they could have with losing countless players and then losing to the Bombers, but if you’re so concerned about a line from a journalist … you’ve got so many more other things to be worried about.”
Fagan has coached the majority of his games from the interchange bench over his tenure at the club, as opposed to the coaches’ box, and Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes suggested a move back upstairs could benefit the 61-year-old.
“I wonder if he should head back up to the coaches’ box,” he told Footy Classified.
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“You only see snippets from the broadcast, but if you are there as the senior coach, you’re there to educate and really be balanced and cool-headed in the way that you speak to your players.
“Is he playing the role on the boundary line that some others are in coaching and consulting his players? Is it time he goes back up to the (coaching) box and removes that distraction? I’d be distracted as a player seeing that.”