Chris Fagan reveals rollercoaster battle with panic attacks in wake of 2025 AFL premiership

Reigning AFL premiership coach Chris Fagan says he suffered frequent panic attacks in the months after steering Brisbane to the top of the mountain last year.

The 64-year-old became the oldest premiership coach in history when the Lions thumped Sydney by 60 points in last year’s decider, atoning for their heartbreaking loss to Collingwood the previous season.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Chris Fagan opens up on post-premiership panic attacks.

And while he maintains it was one of the highlights of his life, Fagan says it was also the source of a rollercoaster of emotions.

“After we won the grand final, (I was) incredibly happy and still incredibly happy and will be one of the highlights of my life,” Fagan told Unfiltered.

“But for three or four months afterwards, not every day was good.

“So, again, had good people around me. I spoke to our sports psychologist.

“It was just everything mounted up, I think. And I was just physically, mentally exhausted.

“You know, again, we talk about mental health, but there’s been the odd occasion in my life where panic attacks have come along and they came along again after that grand final for probably that period of time.

“Not every day; some days were good, but some days I’d wake up and think, ‘How am I going to be today?’”

Caroline Wilson said Fagan’s interview is must-watch television.

“I loved what Bailey Smith said about his own mental health at the All-Australian night,” Wilson told The Agenda Setters on Tuesday night.

“I think older men, as I said a few weeks ago last week about younger men, older men watching that would take a lot from that really open and honest admission.

“I urge everyone to watch Unfiltered tomorrow night. to recommend.”

Unfiltered with Chris Fagan airs at 9.30pm on Wednesday, after The Front Bar.

Catch up on any Unfiltered episode anytime at 7plus