Overview
- Chris Fagan told media he will not make a public decision before the game and will have his customary end-of-season discussion with the Brisbane CEO and president after the grand final.
- Fagan is in his 10th year as Brisbane coach and is reported to be contracted through the end of 2027.
- A Brisbane victory would make Fagan only the seventh coach in VFL/AFL history to lead a team to three consecutive premierships.
- Former mentor Leigh Matthews framed the choice as a lifestyle decision and suggested Fagan may step away, while ex-captain Jonathan Brown said a win could tempt him to continue for a fourth year.
- Pre-game drama has sharpened focus on the match with Fremantle fans turning out in large numbers at the MCG, a controversial clearance for Lachie Neale drawing boos, and Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir saying the club hopes the result starts a sustained era of success.