Why Fagan and Fraser is a “match made in heaven”

Chris Fagan’s move to Carlton as director of coaching to team up with Josh Fraser is a “match made in heaven”.

Fagan stepped away from his successful tenure at the Brisbane Lions after completing the three-peat before making the backroom move to the Blues.

He spoke to media on Wednesday and outlined why he opted to take the role at Ikon Park alongside Fraser.

“I liked what I saw of Carlton last year. I enjoyed the way Josh coached,” Fagan said.

“I do study all the coaches and try and learn from them. And I thought his wisdom and composure for somebody who hadn't done it before was pretty extraordinary.

“So part of the decision was I think I can get on with this guy, I’d like to work with him.

“My job is just to help.”

Kane Cornes reckons the navy blue suits Fagan who will be a massive help to Fraser in the infancy of his role.

“It actually suited him, the Carlton polo. I thought it brought out his eyes,” Cornes said on SEN Breakfast.

“His job is to help, what a help he will be, what a helping hand.”

Josh Jenkins fully agrees, pointing out the composure Fagan showed throughout his time at the Lions.

“That honestly feels like a match made in heaven,” said Jenkins.

“Fraser’s composure is the thing that really stands out. I said last year it's maybe easier to be more composed when it's not your job on a full-time basis, but that didn't seem to worry him once he got the role.

“That's what Chris Fagan has always been able to maintain. I lost count of how many Brisbane Lions you (Cornes) wanted to drop from the football team and he said, ‘No, we just stick with our people, we back them in, we trust them and we believe in him’.

“He's going to be able to bring even more of that to the table because he'll be even more removed from the emotion of winning and losing.

“So it’s a match made in heaven. I think if you're a Carlton fan you have a right to be genuinely pumped about the pairing of Fraser and Fagan.”

Cornes feels that Fagan’s best role will be to take up a spot on the bench to help keep an eye on the playing group while Fraser

“Yeah, I think so too. What a combo. So Fraser in the box, gee he sees the game well, I reckon. That's what impressed me,” Cornes added.

“I thought he was very calm and measured. There were times where the Blues were challenged or there'd been goals scored against them. You only get a small insight on the broadcast, but the camera flashes to him, he’s pretty calm and composed.

“Then strategically, I think that's his real strength. And then Fagan on the bench. So he's got to be there on the bench. That's where he lives, Fages. Interacting with the players, talking to the coaches up there.

“What a one-two punch.”

Fagan is back working in Melbourne after spending 10 years in Brisbane with the Lions.

He previously worked at the Demons in various roles between 1998 and 2007 before a successful stint at Hawthorn alongside Alastair Clarkson from 2008 to 2016.

Image credit: Carlton FC

Listen to the chat about Fagan below: