Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan opens up about a cancer scare and mental health struggles that nearly led him to quit coaching. He emphasizes the importance of men talking about their issues and urges clubs to prioritize the well-being of their staff.
It was on the Queensland public holiday morning of May 6 that Brisbane bosses Andrew Wellington and Greg Swann arrived at Chris Fagan ’s house not sure whether he would be travelling to Adelaide the following week to coach his team. Or whether he’d be coaching the week after that. Or ever again.
The truth is that the coach’s mental struggle even before the cancer scare had led to him believing he would walk away from the job. Althoughplays it down now, that was the reality on the morning of the round eight Suns clash. “They need to keep talking. For me things were just piling up ... I hadn’t been sleeping and looking back I hadn’t really opened up to the people who were looking out for me.“I went to that game thinking I was going to need time off, thinking that maybe I had prostate cancer and just struggling mentally. The club doctor knew I was struggling so he spoke to ‘Swannie’ and Andrew Wellington after the game which was played on a Sunday night and they turned up at my house early the next day.
CEO Swann had also been in crisis talks with manager Henderson on the day of the Gold Coast game and previously, so Swann’s message, with Wellington, when they visited Fagan was: “You’ve done a lot for us, you’ve looked after us – now we’ll look after you.”
Chris Fagan Brisbane Lions Cancer Mental Health Coaching.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan claims ‘equal-dogs’ status ahead of AFL grand final against Sydney7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »
Basketball legend Phil Smyth spills on Chris Fagan act that unlocks ‘magic’7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »
‘In my corner’: Fagan admits to ‘tough time’ amid Hawks saga, reveals Lions ‘secret weapon’AFL: 'Crisis creates opportunity' Chris Fagan addresses media on how the Lions put learnings in place to win premiership.
Read more »
‘He’s tough’: Fagan responds to Neale injury scare as Lions coach issues warning to CatsAFL: Chris Fagan spoke to the media following the Lions thrilling win over the Giants to progess to the Preliminary final.
Read more »
‘It’s a shock to say’: Teary Sunrise star reveals cancer diagnosisA Channel 7 star has been left in tears, revealing on live television she is battling cancer.
Read more »
Bruce Springsteen’s wife Patti Scialfa reveals blood cancer diagnosis in new documentary7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »