Chris Fagan Courted by Melbourne as Max Gawn Makes Pitch

Chris Fagan Courted by Melbourne as Max Gawn Makes His Pitch

Thu 29 Oct 2026, 5:30pm AEDT - Sportingbase

Max Gawn has made a public pitch for three-time premiership coach Chris Fagan to join Melbourne, with the Demons one of three clubs reportedly chasing the former Brisbane coach.

Fagan, 65, stepped down after leading the Lions to the 2026 premiership over Fremantle, but has made it clear he wants to stay in a full-time football role and move to Victoria, Nine reported.

He reportedly has meetings with Melbourne, Collingwood and Carlton about roles in their football departments, and is likely to make a decision before the end of the year.

Fagan has said he would like a role similar to the one he held at Hawthorn before he became Brisbane coach, as head of coaching and development.

Gawn sees an opening

The Demons captain told Nine’s Today he would love to see Fagan at the club in 2027.

“I see an opening to try and get (Fagan). He was at Melbourne long before I got to the club, and now there’s a chance to go get Chris,” Gawn said.

Fagan got his AFL start at Melbourne, working as an assistant coach under Neale Daniher from 1999 to 2007.

Steven King enters his second season as Melbourne coach in 2027 after the Demons finished seventh, and the club has lost general manager of football Alan Richardson, who announced his departure during the season.

Blues and Magpies in the mix

Carlton, where Josh Fraser enters his first full season as coach, also looms as a fit. Blues chief executive Graham Wright worked alongside Fagan during Hawthorn’s premiership era.

Collingwood added Lachie Neale and Jesse Hogan in the trade period and has the resources to bolster its football department.

SEN journalist Sam Edmund reported last week that the Magpies were emerging as the frontrunner for Fagan’s services, ahead of Melbourne and Carlton.

None of the three clubs has announced an appointment.

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