THE RISE of Brisbane has been rewarded on Tuesday night, with Chris Fagan's work in inspiring the club's surge up the ladder recognised with the 2019 Monjon Allan Jeans Senior Coach of the Year honour at the AFL Coaches' Association awards.
Fagan guided a young Brisbane side from successive five-win seasons to second place on the AFL ladder in just his third year in charge, with the Lions finishing a superb campaign with a 16-6 record.
Brisbane had the second-youngest list in the competition this season, but played an exciting brand of football that resulted in five Lions being named in the 2019 Virgin Australia AFL All Australian squad.
Fagan and his Lions celebrate a thrilling win over Geelong in round 22. Picture: AFL Photos
It saw the 58-year-old crowned the Coach of the Year for the first time in his career with 361 votes, a significant margin ahead of Greater Western Sydney's Leon Cameron (238 votes) in second place and Richmond's Damien Hardwick (206 votes) in third.
In claiming the award, Fagan becomes the first Brisbane coach to win the honour since its inception in 2003.
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"We're absolutely thrilled for Chris," AFLCA CEO Mark Brayshaw said.
"In only his third year as a senior coach he's had an incredible season. His strong leadership and experiences are reaping reward in an exciting phase for the Lions.
"To the Lions board's credit, they trusted Chris to build a positive future and it's paid off handsomely.
"We know this award is held in high esteem, because it's determined by the 190 AFL coaches. We congratulate Chris, his assistant and development coaches and also those around and above Chris at Brisbane."
Richmond assistant Craig McRae was also rewarded for guiding the Tigers to the 2019 VFL premiership last weekend, named as the Atlantic Group Assistant Coach of the Year ahead of Geelong's Nigel Lappin in second place and Sydney's Dean Cox in third.
Richmond VFL coach Craig McRae and captain Steven Morris with the premiership cup on Sunday. Picture: AFL Photos 
Renowned and respected Cats recruiter Stephen Wells was also recognised with the AFLCA Lifetime Achievement award, which was this year renamed to recognise legendary player and coach Neale Daniher.
Western Bulldogs superstar Marcus Bontempelli had already been named as the 2019 Shadforth Financial Group AFLCA Champion Player of the Year last month, while Geelong gun Tim Kelly was also awarded the Best Young Player honour.
AFLCA Coach of the Year winners
2019: Chris Fagan (Brisbane)
2018: Nathan Buckley (Collingwood)
2017: Damien Hardwick (Richmond)
2016: Luke Beveridge (Western Bulldogs)
2015: Luke Beveridge (Western Bulldogs)
2014: John Longmire (Sydney)
2013: Ken Hinkley (Port Adelaide)
2012: John Longmire (Sydney)
2011: John Worsfold (West Coast)
2010: Mick Malthouse (Collingwood)
2009: Ross Lyon (St Kilda)
2008: Mark Thompson (Geelong)
2007: Mark Thompson (Geelong)
2006: John Worsfold (West Coast)
2005: Neil Craig (Adelaide)
2004: Mark Williams (Port Adelaide)
2003: Paul Roos (Sydney)
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