Veteran coach Chris Fagan has offered that sections of the media are too quick to draw conclusions about his club's culture when players commit minor infractions, on or off the field.
The comments come in the wake of "whiteboard gate", online criticisms of his side's staging antics, and the hoopla that surrounded favourite son Lachie Neale after the rather public ending of his marriage in the off-season.
Speaking to Fox Footy's AFL360, Fagan accused certain sections of the media of "overplaying little issues", and opportunistically waiting for his players to make mistakes, that extrapolations about the Lions' culture may be made.
"It seems to me that certain sections of the media are just waiting for us to make a mistake, to make those claims (of poor culture) on us," Fagan said.
"If you were at our club every day, you'd find it a very enjoyable place to be. I'm happy with our culture as it is at the moment."
The comments inspired a conversation with fellow two-time premiership coach, Chris Scott, who admitted to being particularly about the voices he listens to regarding the famed environment he stewards at Kardinia Park.
"People who comment on culture, they just see one little issue and try to turn it into a big thing."@brisbanelions coach Chris Fagan on whether he's been"hurt or offended" by questions on his club's culture this year. #AFL360 pic.twitter.com/Ht73My4emN
— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) May 11, 2026
Regarding Lachie Neale, one of the game's very best, Fagan gushed, with the form of the soon-to-be 33-year-old stacking up with some of the most purple of patches the dual Brownlow Medallist has ever put together.
"I was pretty confident," Fagan said, when asked if he was sure Neale's alleged off-field indiscretions would not affect his play.
"Lachie's one of those guys who can compartmentalise what's going on in his life, and separate it from his football. I've recognised that in him from the time he arrived at the club. It's no surprise that he's been able to perform so well.
"Football is his outlet - he loves to come to training, to work on his craft, and he enjoys playing games, and that's showing in his performance at the moment.
"He's rarely had a quiet game. He looks to be running well. He's always been clean below his knees, and tough - he's in great form at the moment."
The Lions renew hostilities with the Cats - the side they vanquished in last year's Grand Final - on Thursday night.
