Nunan was then replaced by Alan McConnell, who returned to the role in his second stint as caretaker senior coach of Fitzroy Football Club in the 1996 season for Fitzroy's last eight games within the AFL. At the end of the 1996 season, the Fitzroy Football Club's AFL operations were taken over by Brisbane Bears, and Brisbane Bears then became Brisbane Lions.
Nunan was succeeded by Alan McConnell, who returned to his position as caretaker senior coach of Fitzroy Football Club in the 1996 season for the remainder of the AFL season. At the close of 1996, Brisbane Bears assumed control of Fitzroy's AFL operations and subsequently became Brisbane Lions.