'He'd be feeling sick today': Nick Riewoldt slams Chris Fagan's 'off the mark' St Kilda criticism
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Former St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt has defended the Saints' aggressive recruiting strategy, hitting back at claims from Brisbane coach Chris Fagan that the club's recent mega-contracts pose a "danger for the game".
On Thursday, Fagan told AFL.com.au that the off-season spending spree has shifted the competition's market, complicating the Lions' bid to retain in-demand free agent Zac Bailey.
The two-time premiership coach specifically cited the massive price tags for Tom De Koning and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera as his primary concern — the latter of whom recently made history as the AFL's first $2 million-a-year player.
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Nick Riewoldt has condemned Chris Fagan's critique of St Kilda's spending. Getty
Brisbane were equally aggressive during the 2025 off-season, leveraging free agency to bolster their own premiership-winning list.
Speaking on Triple M's Mick in the Morning on Friday, Riewoldt countered that Fagan should be "feeling sick" over his remarks, pointing to Brisbane's own advantages through academy picks and elite talent access.
"Chris Fagan is a beauty, and I reckon he'd be feeling sick today that it's blown up the way that it has. I'd be shocked if he didn't reach out and apologise," he said.
"They brought in Daniel Annable as a top-five pick through the Lions Academy. [Oscar Allen] walked in under free agency…. Sam Draper came in. They've been able to walk in the Ashcroft boys over the last few years, as well as Jaspa Fletcher, who might be the best of the lot.
"So, maybe if other clubs were able to do these sorts of things, you wouldn't have to overpay players to bring them into your club."
Riewoldt labelled Fagan's comments "off the mark", arguing that Fagan unfairly scrutinised De Koning and Wanganeen-Milera, amid a broader debate over free agency and contract lengths.
Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan with the premiership cup. AFL Photos via Getty Images
"I thought it was a pretty off-the-mark comment. You've put the gun squarely at Nasiah and TDK [De Koning], which was not fair," he said.
Host Mick Molloy echoed Riewoldt's sentiment, calling out the hypocrisy of the reigning premiers complaining about market shifts while they, and the Suns, continue to stockpile elite talent through their northern academies.
"He's having a crack at St Kilda for overpaying players… just so we're clear, St Kilda hasn't won a premiership since 1966," he said.
"[Brisbane] have just won a flag, and they're poaching players from everywhere.
"If you happened to see the draft, the cheers kept coming from the Brisbane Lions table as the reigning premiers managed to gobble up about half a dozen players."
Bailey, who is fresh off his maiden All-Australian selection in 2025, has fielded interest from multiple clubs.
The Lions have reportedly tabled a monster six-year extension to keep him at the club. However, they face a fierce bidding war.
Victorian clubs such as Essendon have reportedly prepared a record-breaking $8 million counteroffer.
