Brisbane Lions Coach Chris Fagan Honoured with Keys to the City

Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan has been honoured with the keys to the city following the team's historic AFL premiership three-peat.

The Lions were previously given the keys after their first premiership in 2001. According to the Brisbane City Council, the Keys to the City is a symbolic gesture to recognise an individual or organisation's "outstanding achievement or contribution".

A Historic Win

On Saturday, the Lions clawed back a 17-point deficit in the final four minutes of the grand final to defeat the Fremantle Dockers 14.12 (96) to 12.17 (89). The win was the team's third consecutive grand final victory, after defeating Sydney and Geelong in 2024 and 2025 respectively. It marks the club's second three-peat, after it won the 2001, 2002 and 2003 premierships under coach Leigh Matthews.

Presentation at Fan Day

Speaking at a Brisbane Lions fan day, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner noted the team had been given the keys to the city after its first premiership in 2001. Today, he presented the keys to Fagan. According to the Brisbane City Council, the keys to the city is a symbolic presentation that honours "an individual's or an organisation's outstanding achievement or contribution to our city". "It may also be awarded to a Brisbane resident for an outstanding achievement in sport, community or humanitarian work."

Fagan's Reaction

Upon receiving the keys, Fagan asked: "The keys to the city, I don't know what that means — can I do anything?"

What the Keys Mean

Former Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk answered that question back in 2019. He said the key wouldn't get you very far. "It's the highest accolade a city can provide to an individual or a group of individuals, but it doesn't get you anywhere in terms of physically opening doors," he said.

Fagan's Future

The presentation comes amid speculation over Fagan's future, as the coach has yet to confirm whether he will remain with the club for another year. He is currently contracted until the end of the 2027 season. Speaking on Monday, Fagan said he had "a few things to work out". "Whether I've still got the absolute energy you need to do this job, because you do need a lot," he said. "I've been doing it for 10 years now, and I just want to make sure that if I keep going, I can deliver to the players the amount of energy that I need to." "It's a job that's got relentless responsibility and pressure around it."