Dual All-Australian Jordan Clark has been sensationally snubbed from the top 10 of his club's best and fairest award, just days after Chris Fagan mentioned him by name at the Brisbane Lions' night of nights.
Ruckman Luke Jackson claimed Fremantle's Doig Medal as the club's premier performer this season, with midfielders Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong rounding out the top three.
Key forwards Josh Treacy and Patrick Voss, retiring small Sam Switkowski and key backman, skipper Alex Pearce, also featured inside the top 10.
Yet, no room could be found for Clark - a player judged by a panel of experts to be one of the best couple at his half-back position merely weeks ago.
It is the last thing Clark needed, after catching strays from the coach of the side who conquered his in the 2026 Grand Final, during the week.
In attempting to build up the confidence of his own half-back, Darcy Wilmot, Fagan mentioned Clark by name as a player who Wilmot could have - or perhaps should have - been chosen in front of when the 2026 All-Australian side was named.
"If that Jordan Clark from Fremantle can get picked, I reckon you can," Fagan told Wilmot, after already pointing out the stellar job that Conor McKenna did in quelling Clark's influence on the biggest stage of them all.
Fagan is believed to have personally reached out to Clark to apologise for the comments.
Retiring Brisbane premiership coach Chris Fagan is understood to have reached out to Fremantle's Jordan Clark to apologise and clear up his comments about Clark's All-Australian selection.
Clark copped a drive-by when Fagan questioned why Darcy Wilmot wasn't an All-Australian.
— Callum Twomey (@CalTwomey) October 3, 2026
Fagan's speech at the Merrett-Murray Medal was his last appearance in an official capacity for the Lions, having announced his retirement from coaching at the conclusion of his club's fabled three-peat.
