BRISBANE has confirmed Cameron Bruce as its next senior coach.
The Lions board met on Monday afternoon and ratified Bruce as the successor to Chris Fagan. His deal is believed to be for three years.
Bruce beat Nathan Buckley, Adam Simpson and Hayden Skipworth to the job after all were interviewed by the club's coaching selection committee last week.
The 47-year-old has been an assistant to Fagan for the past five seasons and been part of six premierships in his coaching career that extends back to a stint with Hawthorn.
Bruce has been Brisbane's midfield mentor during its hat-trick of premierships and formed great relationships with many of its leaders.
The club made the announcement official on Tuesday.
"Cameron emerged as the standout candidate through that process, demonstrating the leadership qualities, football knowledge and vision we believe are required to take the club forward,"
Lions president Andrew Wellington said.
"Following three consecutive premierships, we are in an incredibly fortunate position, but we also recognise the importance of continuing to evolve and challenge ourselves.
"Cameron understands the standards and culture that have underpinned our success, while bringing his own ideas and a clear vision for the future.
"We have every confidence he is the right person to build on the foundations established under Chris Fagan and lead the Brisbane Lions into our next chapter."
The selection committee comprised Wellington, CEO Sam Graham, football manager Danny Daly, board member Leigh Matthews, club great Simon Black, psychologist Matti Clements and coaching mentor Phil Smyth.
Bruce played 234 AFL games for Melbourne and Hawthorn before joining the Hawks as a coach in 2013.
He left Hawthorn at the end of 2017 to join Carlton, where he spent four years, before joining the Lions ahead of the 2022 season.
"I've learnt so much throughout my time as an assistant, particularly from Fages. He has been a tremendous mentor and supporter of mine, and I'm incredibly grateful for the trust he has placed in me and the lessons he has shared," Bruce said.
"I'll carry those experiences with me, but I'm also looking forward to putting my own stamp on the role and being my own senior coach.
"We have an incredibly strong foundation here and a playing group that is hungry for more success, but we also know what has worked in the past won’t automatically deliver success in the future.
"The challenge now is to keep raising the bar, continue evolving and find new ways to improve. That's something I am really excited about, and I'm looking forward to working with Danny Daly and the broader football department."
Fagan stepped down in October after three premierships and 10 seasons at the Lions.
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