Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan has revealed the “unique” situation he found himself in which led to appointing three co-captains to spearhead the club’s quest for a third-straight AFL premiership.
Incumbent leader Harris Andrews will be joined in the top job by Hugh McCluggage and Josh Dunkley in 2026, after his former joint skipper Lachie Neale stepped down from his duties.
Neale was embroiled in an off-field scandal which led to the separation between him and his wife, leaving Fagan with a decision as to whether Andrews took the title on his own, or if reinforcements were appointed.
Lions coach Chris Fagan (centre) has named two more co-captains to join incumbent Harris Andrews (left) after Lachie Neale (right) stood down.Credit: Getty Images
In the end, he opted for a three-man unit, promoting McCluggage and Dunkley from their shared vice-captain responsibilities.
“It was quite unique to have three guys that are more than capable of being great captains at your one club at the one time,” Fagan said.
“If you have three good people then why not have three captains? For us, leadership is a teamwork thing so to have three captains reinforces that philosophy, and we work really hard to build leadership density at our footy club.
“These three are our best trademark players, they are fine young men, they are different personalities, so they bring different strengths to the table.”
Fagan felt his trio of captains all brought different strengths to the table – labelling Andrews “the thinker”, McCluggage “the emotional intelligence” and Dunkley “the enforcer”.
Dunkley has become renowned as one of the leading pressure players in the game through his defence, while McCluggage is coming off a career-best campaign in which he earned a maiden All-Australian blazer.
“Hugh’s growth from the quiet young Vic country lad that he was when he first turned up to the club to now has been exceptional,” Fagan said.
“He isn’t a loud leader, but he is a leader by example and has incredible emotional intelligence, so if I want a read on the group he will give me the best read that I can get.
“Dunks is impatient for results but also a very encouraging guy, he is incredibly honest – disarmingly so at times – if he has something on his mind, he will be the first to walk into my office and just tell me.
“And look at the way he plays, he is a rare beast that tries every bit as hard on defence as he does on offence. If there’s ever a man who would do a job for the team it is him.”
The three men will forge an eight-player leadership group – one which includes Will Ashcroft, Jarrod Berry, Cam Rayner, Jaspa Fletcher and recruit Oscar Allen, who arrived from West Coast having served as co-captain of the Eagles for the past two campaigns.
The presence of Ashcroft and Fletcher is particularly telling, given the pair are just 21, but already boast two premiership rings each.
Ashcroft has also won the past two Norm Smith Medals on grand final day, while some of Fletcher’s teammates have previously endorsed him as a future Lions captain, including Neale.
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