'You couldn't wipe the smile off our faces': Chris Fagan confident despite Lions being dubbed 'underdogs'
Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan has conceded that his side will enter the grand final against Collingwood as "underdogs", but the prospect excites the interstate side.
The Lions will face the Magpies on the last Saturday in September, the first time the sides are meeting in a grand final since the 2003 decider, when Brisbane beat Collingwood by 50 points.
But history, including the Lions' two most recent wins over the Pies during the 2023 season, isn't fazing Fagan, who remains sure his side aren't "the favourites".
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"There's no doubt we come into this game as the underdogs – and that's OK. In some ways that's easier than being the favourites," Fagan said on Friday at the official grand final press conference.
The prospect of playing on the MCG, where the Lions have won just one finals match over the last eight years, is also not a worry for Fagan and his Lions.
Chris Fagan, Senior Coach of the Lions speaks to the media during the 2023 AFL Grand Final Parade on September 29, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images) AFL Photos via Getty Images
"We won a final there last year and it's grand final, I don't think you care where you're playing on grand final day so we'll be giving it our best shot," Fagan said.
Despite the MCG being Collingwood's home ground, Fagan says the outside noise hasn't been relevant considering their "recent" home and away records.
"They (Collingwood) play there on a regular basis, our record has been talked about a lot there. Despite that, I feel like in more recent times we've really improved our performances at the ground," Fagan said.
The Lions took to the MCG for a final captains' run on Friday, in front of a big crowd of excited fans.
Fagan thanked the Brisbane and Fitzroy fans who have followed the side down to Victoria in support.
"It was a great moment, they (the fans) showed their appreciation for myself and the team, and it was really uplifting for the boys," Fagan said.
"There's a lot of Brisbane Lions supporters down here, and there's a lot of Fitzroy supporters still living in Victoria, so I think they're going to be loud tomorrow.
"You couldn't wipe the smile off our faces this morning at training and during the parade, even though we got heckled by all those Collingwood supporters out there!"
