New Brisbane coach Cameron Bruce will relish the chance to follow in the footsteps of Chris Fagan, promising to be his own man as the club chases a fourth successive AFL premiership.
The Lions on Tuesday confirmed Bruce as the replacement for departed triple premiership-winning mentor Fagan, with Brisbane’s assistant coach for the past five seasons elevated to the top job on a three-year deal.
The 47-year-old former Demons and Hawks midfielder won the coaching race ahead of Nathan Buckley, Adam Simpson and Hayden Skipworth, who were also interviewed for the role.
Watch every match of AFLW LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports | Get Kayo now >
WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
Bruce thanked Fagan for his guidance but said while the pair had similar coaching philosophies, he would put his own spin on the job.
“‘Fages’ and I are different people,” Bruce said.
“I do things differently in terms of the way I conduct meetings. I’ll probably coach from up in the box (rather than from the sidelines), the way my journey getting to coaching was different, so I probably relate to players a little bit differently.
“Those things will be hopefully refreshing for the players but still understanding what the philosophy is and what he (Fagan) has put in place, which we know is a pretty successful recipe for what you need to do.
“We won’t be altering that too much, (but) we’ll be looking to improve.
“We have an incredibly strong foundation here and a playing group that is hungry for more success, but we also know what has worked in the past won’t automatically deliver success in the future.
“I’m obsessed by getting better.”
Despite “attractive opportunities” in terms of other senior AFL coaching jobs in recent years, Victorian Bruce said “nothing” compared to what he had in Brisbane.
“With where I’m at, with where my family are at, with the position I’m in and the club that I’m at, we were very settled in Brisbane and not looking to go anywhere else,” he said.
“The fact that this (job) has presented itself when it did, it was a no-brainer.
“I’ve been building up to be in a position to get a role like this for the 29 years I’ve been in the AFL (as a player and assistant coach).
“To get an opportunity at what I see as the best AFL football club in the world is unbelievable, with the best people, so how can I not be excited?”
Lions general manager of football Danny Daly said Bruce’s “relationships and understanding of the playing group were central to his appointment”.
“Cam has built strong relationships with our players and staff over his five years as a senior assistant coach looking after our midfield, and he understands what makes this group tick,” Daly said.
“His ability to connect with people, his football knowledge and his clear vision for how we can keep improving made him the right choice.
“It’s fantastic that Cam and his family will continue to be part of our club, and we’re excited to support him as he takes this next step.”
Lions chief executive Sam Graham said: “I congratulate Cam on his appointment. He has been an integral part of our club over the last five years and through this process demonstrated that he thoroughly deserves the opportunity to be our next senior coach.”
Club chairman Andrew Wellington said the Lions “undertook a thorough process to identify the best person to lead” Brisbane’s AFL program.
“Cameron emerged as the standout candidate through that process, demonstrating the leadership qualities, football knowledge, and vision we believe are required to take the club forward,” Wellington said.