Cameron Bruce wins the race to be Brisbane’s next senior AFL coach

November 9, 2026 — 7:14pmThe Brisbane Lions have gone internal and appointed experienced assistant coach Cameron Bruce as the club’s next senior coach to replace three-time flag winner Chris Fagan.In a decision to be officially announced on Tuesday, Bruce will step up as the newest AFL senior coach, football sources have confirmed.Bruce beat home a field of experienced candidates, including 2018 AFL grand final coaches Nathan Buckley and Adam Simpson, as well as Collingwood senior assistant coach Hayden Skipworth.Cameron Bruce.GettyBruce was strongly endorsed for the role by his mentor triple premiership flag coach Fagan, who has since retired from senior coaching and moved to a director of coaching position at Carlton.Bruce has been involved in six premierships as a development and assistant coach at the Lions, Carlton and Hawthorn since 2013 and the players hold him in high regard. He played 224 matches for Melbourne and 10 games at Hawthorn before retiring in 2012. He joined the Brisbane Lions in 2022 and was responsible for midfield and centre bounces at the Lions in 2026.He also had the advantage of virtual incumbency at a club that had experienced remarkable success and represented stability for the playing group. Bruce had strong backing from many players, who he’d built a rapport with since crossing from Carlton four years ago.The Lions’ selection panel included chair Andrew Wellington, CEO Sam Graham, Daly and coaching mentor Phil Smyth. Board member and four-time premiership coach Leigh Matthews acted in an advisory capacity and Simon Black and Matti Clements are being consulted.With Peter RyanMore to comeJake Niall is a Walkley award-winning sports journalist and chief AFL writer for The Age.Connect via X or email.From our partners