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Live sport on SN this weekendHow the 'grandfather effect' helped the Lions rebound
Nicholas Quinlan • August 8th, 2026 8:17 pm
As Brisbane returns to the winners' list this week, Gerard Whateley has admired coach Chris Fagan’s ability to galvanise his team.
Following a surprising loss to a resurgent Blues side in Round 21, the Lions were able to put that behind them with style.
Against a fellow top four side in Hawthorn on Friday night, the reigning back-to-back premiers put the Hawks to the sword from the second quarter onwards, delivering a 67-point win and closing the gap to third to just two premiership points.
Following their victory, Whateley believes this win serves as a reminder of Fagan’s ability to create a cohesive playing group within the club.
“I think Fages' great gift is he holds that group so tightly together, and it's a raised eyebrow,” Whateley said on SEN’s Crunch Time.
“We're not gonna review this because you blokes didn't have a go, which was the same as the Gold Coast game late last year.
“I think it's an understandable quality, whether it's a worrying quality, whatever, but the champs know (how to perform). They've seen behind the curtain.”
Former West Coast coach Adam Simpson shared that view, noting that his grandfather-like approach allows his players to feel supported and backed by the 65-year-old.
“Well, you're spot on,” Simpson explained.
“I think he carries the stress (but) I don't think he's not stressed.
“Knowing the man and knowing how passionate he is for winning, I think he takes a lot in and just stores it inside and doesn't release it to his playing group, and that's a skill, because this is not the first response we've seen.”
“Like last year (and) the year before, there were moments in the season where he's been pressured, and it just reflects off him; he just absorbs it, and then it doesn't reflect to the players.
“The way he deals with his players, there's the grandfather effect.
“Where I'm not trying to be your mate, I'm not trying to be inspirational, I'm not trying to give you a nickname and get you on Instagram.
“I am just here, one out, one back, even further than the father; it's not a disappointed Dad. It's I'm gonna treat you like you're my grandson.
“I've got your back, I'm loyal as I can possibly be and I'm not really trying to connect with what you're doing on day to day. I think that holds them in really good stead.”
The Lions will play their final home game of the regular season next week as they host Gold Coast next Saturday.
That begins at 4:15pm AEST.
