Latest news with #Fagan
Scoop
4 days ago
- Sport
- Scoop
NZ Shearers' Saving Grace In Last-Test Win Over Wales
The Wools of New Zealand shearing team of Jack Fagan and Toa Henderson have ended their six-match tour of UK and France in style by beating Wales at the Corwen Shears in North Wales. Dominating both time and quality points, they beat the new Welsh team of Llyr Jones and Gwion Lloyd Evans by a comfortable 4.05pts on Saturday, although Wales claimed a 2-1 series victory having won the first two tests of the home leg of the annual series' between the rival nations at the Cothi Shears and the Royal Welsh Show last week. Fagan had the fastest time, the best points in the pens and overall quality points, shearing the 20 lambs in 11m 23s. Henderson was next off, six seconds later and with the best points in judging on the shearing board. It enabled the black singlets pair to balance the ledger for the tour having beaten England and France earlier this month after being beaten by Scotland in the opening test at the Lochearnhead Shears. Henderson, on his first trip to the Northern Hemisphere, went close to claiming a third international Open championship title, by finishing runner-up to reigning World champion Evans in the six-man Corwen Shears Open All-Nations final, also of 20 lambs each, having beaten Evans to win the equivalent event at the Royal Welsh Show. Fagan was fifth. Henderson was first to finish the final and also had the best board points, but it was a tight finish. Evans beat him by 0.2pts, with just 0.35pts back to third place-getter, 2019 World champion and local Corwen idol Richard Jones. Just six seconds separated the first three in the race, from Henderson's 11m 51s to Alun Lloyd Jones' 11m 55s and the 11m 57s of Gethin Lewis, who shore with Llyr Jones in the Welsh team for the last two seasons and the first test of this month's series. Henderson, who won the Golden Shears and New Zealand Championships Open finals in March, had a particularly big first tour in the UK, winning Open finals in France and at the Royal Welsh Show, and finishing second on Saturday, third at the Great Yorkshire Show and fourth at Lochearnhead. Fagan was unable to repeat any of the four wins he had in Open finals on last year's tour, but also reached five of the six finals, for second place at Yorkshire and in France, third at the Royal Welsh Show, fourth at Cothi, and the fifth placing at Corwen. Fagan has also won four speedshear titles, including retaining the Welsh International title last week. On Friday, he was also fourth in the Corwen Shears Novice Blades, repeating the outcome of his first blades event midweek at the Royal Welsh Show. A special moment on Saturday came when the two took part in the haka just before the test, Henderson taking the role of kaea in what was thought to be the first time team members have taken part in what has become an obligation for New Zealanders at competitions in Wales, sometimes joined by Welsh shearers who have learnt haka during their working seasons in New Zealand. Results: International (20 lambs): New Zealand 94.2pts (Jack Fagan 11m 23s, 44.4pts; Toa Henderson 11m 29s, 49.8pts) beat Wales 98.25pts (Gwion Evans 11m 50s, 46.95pts; Llyr Jones 12m 2s, 51.3pts). Wales won the series 2-1. Corwen Shears Open All-Nations final (20 lambs): Gwion Evans (Wales) 12m 19s, 47pts, 1; Toa Henderson (NZ) 11m 51s, 47.2pts, 2; Richard Jones (Wales) 13m 21s, 47.55pts, 3; Alun Lloyd Jones (Wales) 11m 55s, 48.5pts, 4; Jack Fagan (NZ) 12m 13s, 49.15pts, 5; Gethin Lewis (Wales) 11m 57s, 54.35pts, 6.
The Advertiser
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Reaction key after Lions' rare QClash fizzer
Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan has reason to believe the side's QClash fizzer against Gold Coast was an anomaly as focus quickly shifts on their tough run to September. The defending premiers are yet to officially book their finals ticket after falling to 13-5-1, thanks to a humbling 66-point loss to the Suns on the Gold Coast on Saturday. The 20.10 (130) to 9.10 (64) romp was the Suns' biggest derby win and gave them a club-best 12 wins this season as they seek a maiden finals foray. Usually dominant in the midfield, the Lions were outgunned as ruckman Jarrod Witts provided good service to Matt Rowell, Noah Anderson and Alex Davies. It was only the Suns' second win in the past 14 QClash contests. Fagan estimated fans "wouldn't have seen a performance like that too often in the past six years". "Our last eight games we've won six and lost two. We've been up for a fair while and tonight we were really poor in every facet of the game, to be honest," he said. The Lions face table-topping Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday, then host Sydney, travel to face Fremantle and finish the regular season at the Gabba against Hawthorn. "It is hard to stay up every week, there's no doubt about that," Fagan said. "That's part and parcel of the challenge. "How you reflect on it really is how you react next week and how you play next week. "We've got a pretty hard game ... I'm confident our group will respond, they normally do." Utility Conor McKenna, who had won his spot back in the side this week, will have scans after being substituted at halftime with a hamstring injury. Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan has reason to believe the side's QClash fizzer against Gold Coast was an anomaly as focus quickly shifts on their tough run to September. The defending premiers are yet to officially book their finals ticket after falling to 13-5-1, thanks to a humbling 66-point loss to the Suns on the Gold Coast on Saturday. The 20.10 (130) to 9.10 (64) romp was the Suns' biggest derby win and gave them a club-best 12 wins this season as they seek a maiden finals foray. Usually dominant in the midfield, the Lions were outgunned as ruckman Jarrod Witts provided good service to Matt Rowell, Noah Anderson and Alex Davies. It was only the Suns' second win in the past 14 QClash contests. Fagan estimated fans "wouldn't have seen a performance like that too often in the past six years". "Our last eight games we've won six and lost two. We've been up for a fair while and tonight we were really poor in every facet of the game, to be honest," he said. The Lions face table-topping Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday, then host Sydney, travel to face Fremantle and finish the regular season at the Gabba against Hawthorn. "It is hard to stay up every week, there's no doubt about that," Fagan said. "That's part and parcel of the challenge. "How you reflect on it really is how you react next week and how you play next week. "We've got a pretty hard game ... I'm confident our group will respond, they normally do." Utility Conor McKenna, who had won his spot back in the side this week, will have scans after being substituted at halftime with a hamstring injury. Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan has reason to believe the side's QClash fizzer against Gold Coast was an anomaly as focus quickly shifts on their tough run to September. The defending premiers are yet to officially book their finals ticket after falling to 13-5-1, thanks to a humbling 66-point loss to the Suns on the Gold Coast on Saturday. The 20.10 (130) to 9.10 (64) romp was the Suns' biggest derby win and gave them a club-best 12 wins this season as they seek a maiden finals foray. Usually dominant in the midfield, the Lions were outgunned as ruckman Jarrod Witts provided good service to Matt Rowell, Noah Anderson and Alex Davies. It was only the Suns' second win in the past 14 QClash contests. Fagan estimated fans "wouldn't have seen a performance like that too often in the past six years". "Our last eight games we've won six and lost two. We've been up for a fair while and tonight we were really poor in every facet of the game, to be honest," he said. The Lions face table-topping Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday, then host Sydney, travel to face Fremantle and finish the regular season at the Gabba against Hawthorn. "It is hard to stay up every week, there's no doubt about that," Fagan said. "That's part and parcel of the challenge. "How you reflect on it really is how you react next week and how you play next week. "We've got a pretty hard game ... I'm confident our group will respond, they normally do." Utility Conor McKenna, who had won his spot back in the side this week, will have scans after being substituted at halftime with a hamstring injury.
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Reaction key after Lions' rare QClash fizzer
Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan has reason to believe the side's QClash fizzer against Gold Coast was an anomaly as focus quickly shifts on their tough run to September. The defending premiers are yet to officially book their finals ticket after falling to 13-5-1, thanks to a humbling 66-point loss to the Suns on the Gold Coast on Saturday. The 20.10 (130) to 9.10 (64) romp was the Suns' biggest derby win and gave them a club-best 12 wins this season as they seek a maiden finals foray. Usually dominant in the midfield, the Lions were outgunned as ruckman Jarrod Witts provided good service to Matt Rowell, Noah Anderson and Alex Davies. It was only the Suns' second win in the past 14 QClash contests. Fagan estimated fans "wouldn't have seen a performance like that too often in the past six years". "Our last eight games we've won six and lost two. We've been up for a fair while and tonight we were really poor in every facet of the game, to be honest," he said. The Lions face table-topping Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday, then host Sydney, travel to face Fremantle and finish the regular season at the Gabba against Hawthorn. "It is hard to stay up every week, there's no doubt about that," Fagan said. "That's part and parcel of the challenge. "How you reflect on it really is how you react next week and how you play next week. "We've got a pretty hard game ... I'm confident our group will respond, they normally do." Utility Conor McKenna, who had won his spot back in the side this week, will have scans after being substituted at halftime with a hamstring injury.
Perth Now
7 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Same old Suns? Fagan dismisses Lions' QClash dominance
Premiership coach Chris Fagan insists the Brisbane Lions' overwhelming dominance of neighbours Gold Coast means nothing ahead of their high-stakes AFL meeting. The Lions have beaten the Suns in 12 of their past 13 games, wiping them aside once already this season on their way to second place on the ladder. Damien Hardwick's side was thrashed by Adelaide last week and will likely drop out of the top eight with another QClash loss. But, chasing the club's maiden finals appearance, they boast wins over top-placed Collingwood, Hawthorn, Western Bulldogs and the Crows this season. Hardwick this week declared his side was "not the same old Suns, it's the brand new Suns and we've got a big step (to take) this week". Brisbane's midfield has dominated the Suns' star on-ballers in recent times, with Josh Dunkley expertly limiting the damage of Suns wrecking ball Matt Rowell. Fagan is taking nothing for granted, though. "I'm sort of not interested in history because the only thing that matters is tomorrow, and the truth is they've beaten some pretty good teams," he said. "They're a much better version of themselves than we've played in a long time. "It's a big game." The Suns will be without star pair Touk Miller and Daniel Rioli, but will welcome back vice-captain Sam Collins and Lachie Weller from injuries. Alex Davies, Jy Farrar and Nick Holman also return, with Rioli and Sam Clohesy out injured, and David Swallow, Jed Walter and Ben Jepson dropped. Brisbane, ahead of a tough finish to the regular season, are within two competition points of the Magpies and have regained in-form forward Zac Bailey after a one-match suspension. Kai Lohmann (calf) pulled up sore after Thursday's session, Fagan bringing Conor McKenna into the mix and persisting with his dual-ruck "experiment" of Darcy Fort and Oscar McInerney. Lohmann, a star of last season's premiership run, was rediscovering his best form after an injury-hit opening to 2025. "He'll be out for a week or two I'd imagine," Fagan said. "I don't think it was a major thing, but calves are tricky. "We've coped well, and we'll continue to do so. "We've got a bit of flexibility there ... it's good because you never know what's going to happen down the track, so you've always got to be able to cope." The coach said Keidean Coleman will play VFL for the Lions this week and would not be rushed back after hiccups following a long-term knee injury.
West Australian
7 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Brisbane coach adamant that former Lions star Joe Daniher will ‘never' come out of retirement to play in Melbourne
Lions coach Chris Fagan says the suggestion that former Brisbane star Joe Daniher will come out of retirement to play in Melbourne ranks among 'the great jokes of all time'. Ex-Essendon forward Daniher was only 30 when he announced that he was retiring after helping the Lions win last year's premiership. Fagan has previously said that if Daniher made the unlikely decision to play again, it would only be for Brisbane. However, the Melbourne Demons have approached Daniher about playing next season. 'I might've sent him a cheeky text message just to check in with big Joe … but he laughed it off pretty quick,' Demons coach Simon Goodwin told AFL 360. On Friday, the Daniher matter came up again when Fagan was asked about Carlton star Charlie Curnow being linked with a move to the Gold Coast Suns, whom the Lions meet in Saturday's QClash at People First Stadium. 'I sort of noticed it (the Curnow speculation) going on in the background, but I don't have any firm thoughts on it,' Fagan said. 'It's that time of the year where everything gets speculated on. How many times are people going to come up and say that Joey Daniher's going back to Melbourne? 'It's one of the great jokes of all time – it'll never happen.' Daniher's previous spot in Brisbane' forward line has been filled for 10 games this season by former Suns player Sam Day. However, Day won't take on his former club on Saturday, having been named among the emergencies for the second successive match after missing Brisbane's win over Carlton earlier this month for personal reasons. Fagan has instead again opted to select two ruckmen in Oscar McInerney and Darcy Fort. 'It's been good, but it's still just an experiment. It's just a week-to-week thing,' the Lions coach said. 'We are happy with what we've seen so far (in playing McInerney and Fort). They've both been able to contribute in the ruck, and they've both been able to contribute up forward in little ways.' However, there will be one change to Brisbane's forward line after Kai Lohmann injured his calf at training. Lohmann will be replaced by the versatile Zac Bailey, who returns after serving a one-game suspension for rough conduct. 'Zac Bailey can go and play forward. We got a bit of flexibility there, so it's good because you never know what's going to happen down the track. You've always got to be able to cope,' Fagan said. The Lions have made one other change to the 23 that beat the Bulldogs by 10 points last Friday, with Irishman Conor McKenna replacing the omitted Bruce Reville. The second-placed Lions can deal Gold Coast's hopes of playing finals football for the first time a blow with a win on Saturday. 'The truth is that the Gold Coast Suns have beaten some pretty good teams this year. The last time they played at their ground they beat (competition leaders) Collingwood,' Fagan said in anticipation of a tough encounter. 'They're a much better version of themselves than we've played against for a long time, so it's a big game.'
