The architect of footy's latest dynasty has urged the landscape to broaden its definition of what a premiership coach can look like, after capping a remarkable three-peat with the Brisbane Lions.
Fagan, now 65 years of age and the proud owner of three consecutive premiership cups, remains the only coach in V/AFL history to win a premiership without ever playing at the elite level.
Speaking to Fox Footy's AFL360 program, Fagan said he hoped others with his background are afforded the same opportunities, somewhere down the line.
I'd like to think that (he's changed the requirements for prospective senior coaches). Good coaches come in all shapes and sizes and from all different backgrounds," Fagan told the program, on Monday night.
"I think there's plenty of people out there that could be like me if they were able to get that opportunity.
"Coaching is just a little bit more than how you played the game - it's a lot about how you teach people, how you develop people, how you give them confidence, how you give them a sense of belonging.
"All of that comes together in those big performances in finals - it's not just as simple as knowing a lot about the game, and being a good player.
"One of the good things for me is that I couldn't rely on my reputation as a player; I've had to develop other skills that have helped me be able to communicate with my players and get the message through.
"I'm proud that I've been able to do that, and I just hope others do get the chance at some stage to do the same thing."
Fagan gave special mention to a few of the players who did turn in astonishing performances in the grand final's closing stages, in making his point.
"Everybody talks about our talent - and there's no doubt we've got a fair bit of that - but we've got a lot of ticker, too, and a fair bit of belief in ourselves," Fagan said.
"It's interesting, the talented players that really stood up in that period of time - Will Ashcroft, Charlie Cameron, Zac Bailey, Logan Morris - they do the things at the clutch moment, and that's what great players do.
"We were fortunate those boys got their hands on the ball at that period of time, and did the damage that they did."
Fagan's three-headed leadership group had its detractors once announced, but the grandfatherly figure lauded each member in doling out his thanks. Special mention was afforded the unflinchingly team-first Josh Dunkley.
“They're a great group - they're all different characters, and they bring different assets to the group," Fagan said.
"Harris (Andrews) is a born leader, really. He's a bit of a thinker, he works his way through the game.
""Hughie" has all the emotional intelligence in the world.
""Dunks" is just that alpha male that wants to do all the tough and hard things in a game of footy.
"Really, Josh Dunkley, his impact on our footy club, is understated. He's been at our club four years, and we've been in four grand finals.
"We look at football and we reward blokes who win a lot of the footy and kick goals and do miraculous things - in some ways Josh Dunkley is the best player in this competition because he's got the best all-round game that there is. He can win the ball, he can run, and he does all of those one-percenters like you wouldn't believe."
This passage rivals "Shane Biggs never forget" and Tom Stewart vs Sydney.
He's not even in the frame half a second before executing the second smother.
The clip doesn't even show his tackle on Dudley, 30s later.
You'd follow Dunkley anywhere he asked you to go, wouldn't ya? https://t.co/GcZ0gK1P1e
— Harrison McIlwaine (@harrisonmcil) September 28, 2026
Fagan let viewers in on a cultural touchpoint in his environment, in pleading Dunkley's case as his side's most important players, and one of the game's very best.
"We have stats that we keep…that we call our “fight-to-win acts”, and he just about wins that every week. When you add his fight-to-win acts to his disposals, then just about every week, he has the most involvements in the game. That to me, is what matters most," Fagan said.
"He sets such a brilliant example to the rest of his teammates about how the little things matter…I've got a lot of thank-yous to say to “Dunks”, and I know I've probably talked about him there a little bit more than the other two leaders, but he's absolutely been an inspiration, and I know the other two boys would be happy for me to talk about him in this manner."
Fagan is expected to confirm his next steps in the coming days, as the weight of his achievements, and the toll of the work required to secure them, come home to roost.
