Dale Thomas has issued an on-air apology to Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan after making an awkward comment during Channel 7’s coverage of the Dreamtime at the G clash.
The former AFL star labelled Fagan ‘old’ in a light-hearted discussion about potential coaching candidates for Tasmania’s new AFL team.
Fagan, 63, led the Lions to a long-awaited premiership in 2024 and has taken the club to back-to-back grand finals.
His name was floated as part of a coaching wishlist alongside Nathan Buckley, Chris Scott, Ken Hinkley, John Longmire and Adam Simpson.
During post-match analysis, Thomas questioned what role Fagan might play if he joined Tasmania’s AFL project.
‘Would that be a coach or more of a mentoring overview from Chris Fagan who, with no disrespect, is getting old,’ Thomas said.
Dale Thomas said that Chris Fagan might be too old to take up the vacant coaching position at the new Tasmania side
Fagan was so incensed by Thomas’ claim that he messaged his co-commentator Mathew Richardson while they were live on air
Fagan broke a host of records by leading the Brisbane Lions to the AFL premiership in 2024
The remark drew a laugh from co-host Matthew Richardson, a proud Tasmanian and former Richmond great.
But moments later, Richardson’s phone lit up with a message from none other than Fagan himself.
Realising the situation, Thomas quickly addressed the audience. ‘I did just reference that maybe Chris Fagan – I did say ‘with no disrespect’ – was old,’ he said.
‘I just saw Richo’s phone go ping, and the name that popped up was Chris Fagan. Do I need to order an official apology?’
Richardson grinned and urged him to do just that. ‘He’s not old, Fages,’ he said.
Thomas responded with a red-faced retraction. ‘Look … I probably didn’t … Chris, I’m tremendously sorry,’ he said.
‘I love everything you’re doing and if you do want to come to Tassie, I’ll be there with you. I think you’d be a perfect candidate.’
Richardson chimed in again. ‘Oh, you want a job down there as well?’ he joked.
Matthew Richardson is a proud Tasmanian and would love to see Fagan appointed as coach
The moment came amid renewed focus on Tasmania’s bid to enter the AFL, with Tasmania Devils CEO Brendon Gale addressing the state’s hopes at a Melbourne breakfast.
Gale stressed that if a stadium at Macquarie Point wasn’t approved, the entire bid could collapse.
‘It’s that black and white,’ Gale said.
Richardson added: ‘If this doesn’t get up, it’ll be Tasmania’s biggest mistake in 20–30 years.’
Meanwhile, Chris Fagan’s credentials speak for themselves. Born in Queenstown, Tasmania, he played more than 260 senior games before moving into AFL coaching.
He spent almost a decade as an assistant coach at Melbourne and then Hawthorn, playing a key role in the Hawks’ premiership dynasty. In 2017, he took over as senior coach of Brisbane.
After transforming the struggling Lions into title contenders, Fagan capped his efforts with a grand final win in 2024.
He became the oldest coach to win an AFL premiership – and the first to do so without playing at the elite level.
Thomas, affectionately known as ‘Daisy’, enjoyed a decorated career at Collingwood and Carlton, winning a flag with the Magpies in 2010 before retiring in 2019.
He has since made a name for himself in media, hosting TV shows, appearing on reality programs, and staying involved in community footy.
