How Blues could shockingly land ‘biggest name of the trade period’
The biggest name to change clubs in this trade period might not be a player.
It might just be the team that successfully lures Chris Fagan through the door, following his decision to stand down as coach of Brisbane.
Could Chris Fagan take on a role at a Victorian club in 2027? AFL Photos via Getty Images
Fagan leaves the Lions with three straight premierships, and while he has spoken about his need to take a step back, he has also confirmed he wants to remain involved in footy.
On top of that, the 65-year-old has said for years that he would return to Victoria once his days with Brisbane were up.
Carlton confirmed on Monday they were doing their due diligence on Fagan’s level of interest in a role at the club in 2027.
Head of football Chris Davies said: "When someone like Chris Fagan is available, you would be derelict in your duty if you weren't open to what that would look like."
Brownlow Medallist Gerard Healy can see such a move unfolding and believes it would be an enormous steal for Carlton.
“Is Carlton about to land the biggest name of the trade period?” Healy said on Fox Footy Monday night.
“I would be staggered, based on what Chris Davies said, if Carlton aren’t right at the front of the queue, and I reckon there’d be more than one club looking at Fagan.
“(Fagan) says he wants to work in footy. He doesn’t want to retire, he just doesn’t want to be head coach.
“You’ve got a young head coach at the Blues, there are other young coaches out there, which probably gives you an indication who else is lining up.
“Fancy having the capacity to bring Fagan into your program if you’re the Blues, with Josh Fraser coming into really his first full season.”
Fagan has a strong relationship with Carlton CEO Graham Wright. The pair worked together across Hawthorn’s three-peat in the 2010s.
The Blues will certainly be looking to expand their football department over summer. With ex head coach Michael Voss and midfield coach Tim Clarke gone, coupled with the club not having a list manager or a head of recruiting, they have some holes to fill.
Essendon recently employed Sydney premiership coach John Longmire as their new head of coaching and performance, and Carlton would likely hope to add Fagan to a similar role in 2027.
