Fagan got ‘nasty’ at four players for the first time this year. It sparked carnage for the Crows

September 13, 2026 — 12:53am

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Brisbane: For the first time this year, Chris Fagan felt he needed to target one group of players and ensure they knew their performances hadn’t been up to scratch. The Brisbane Lions’ small forwards were in the firing line, and needed to respond.

Cam Rayner went as far as to describe the two-time premiership coach’s week as “nasty” on Kayo Sports, and after last week’s capitulation against an undermanned Swans still hurting from the Pullman Hotel saga, it was probably warranted.

The quartet of Rayner, Charlie Cameron, Kai Lohmann and the newly re-signed Zac Bailey all went goalless that night. But in the 53-point semi-final thrashing of the Crows at the Gabba, they responded emphatically.

“They’re proud performers, they’ve been pretty good for us all year, [but] it was pointed out to them during the week that they let us down against Sydney,” Fagan lamented.

“They hardly contributed in that game, our talls were actually all OK, and our small forwards didn’t get on the scoreboard. I reminded them of how good they were when we played Adelaide in round seven … and probed and prodded them a bit on the performance last week.

“This is the first time this year [I’ve had to pull that lever]. I know there’s been some games this year where we haven’t played all that well, but this was the first time this year where it was a pretty fierce week.”

It took just 29 seconds in the contest for Lohmann to kick the first goal of the night – triggering a procession of five........

© The Sydney Morning Herald