Fremantle defender Jordan Clark has copped a bizarre and unprompted drive-by sledge at the Lions’ club best-and-fairest night in the wake of the grand final.
Fagan claimed Lions defender Darcy Wilmot should have been picked ahead of Clark in the All-Australian team.
The 65-year-old addressed every player individually in his farewell address, but it was his comments to defender Wilmot that have left Dockers fans furious.
“Motty, I’m not an All-Australian selector, but it’s about time they picked you in the All-Australian team, I reckon, mate,” Fagan said.
“If that Jordan Clark from Fremantle can get picked, I reckon you can, anyway.”
Clark earned his second All-Australian blazer this season after his maiden call-up in 2025.
The out-of-the-blue backhander continues the Lions’ run of whingeing after they claimed their third-straight premiership.
Young gun Will Ashcroft has made several posts to his social media accounts complaining about missing out on the All-Australian team and Lachie Neale suggested Ashcroft also should have won the Norm Smith medal in a post to his Instagram.
It comes a year after the Lions posted an article to their official website claiming Levi Ashcroft should have beaten Dockers young gun Murphy Reid to the Rising Star award. That story copped so much backlash they wiped it from their site.
Clark averaged a career-high 22 disposals per game alongside 4.7 marks, two tackles and an elite, according to the AFL, 480 metres gained per match.
In comparison, Wilmot averaged 20 disposals, six marks, 1.6 tackles and 359.8 metres gained this season and his name was not raised in All-Australian calculations in any circles.
Wilmot was not included in a 46-player All-Australian squad.
Clark wasn’t the only one to cop a drive-by on the night, with dual Brownlow medallist Neale not missed ahead of his move to Collingwood for next season.
“I would like to just acknowledge Lachie Neale, who we now know is going to the dark side,” Lions chairman Andrew Wellington said.
“Take a last look at Lachie because he’s going tomorrow to have some teeth removed and a bit more ink.”
However, Fagan delivered a heartfelt message.
“I wish you all the best with the rest of your life and whatever happens to you,” he said.
The Lions have not held back on counting receipts in the wake of their miracle grand final triumph against Fremantle to seal a historic three-peat.
Earlier in the week, two-time Norm Smith medallist Ashcroft used Instagram to call out the All-Australian selectors for snubbing him.
He posted a picture of himself wrapped in a suit blazer alongside his brother Levi and Lachie Neale during the post-game celebrations.
The caption on the photo read: “Grateful to finally get my blazer 4 weeks late”.
He also wrote “stay mad” with two clown emojis.
When the team was announced after wildcard round weekend, Ashcroft congratulated teammates Harris Andrews, Logan Morris and Zac Bailey for making the team before a host of not-so-subtle pictures of NBA figures with bemused, incredulous and determined expressions on their faces.
Images of American sports pundit Stephen A. Smith, 2018 NBA MVP James Harden and 2017 NBA MVP Russell Westbrook, all looking puzzled, were included, followed by a famous screenshot of a determined LeBron James during his time at the Miami Heat, which has become an iconic internet meme.
Ashcroft further caught the ire of Fremantle fans earlier this week when asked if any of the Lions should adopt ‘Hells Bells’ as their goal celebration at the Gabba next year in reference to the Dockers’ ill-fated use of ‘Wharfie Time’ during the grand final.
Most of the players answered the question with “I don’t think so,” but young Ashcroft was happy to pile on the pain.
“I mean, I’d do it, but I’m not sure if we’re allowed,” he said during premiership celebrations among fans.
“I don’t think Danny and Fages would be stoked with that decision, so I reckon it will be banned on our goal songs list.”
He followed up by attaching the AC/DC song in a photo of himself with legendary Lions coach Leigh Matthews, who led the club to their first three-peat across 2001, 2002 and 2003.
The Dockers held a 17-point lead when ‘Wharfie Time’ rang across the MCG as what should have been the cherry on top of their maiden flag.
However, it prompted a remarkable four-goal run from the Lions to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and leave Fremantle another painful chapter of torment in their hunt for a maiden premiership.
Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.
Sign up for our emails