AFL grand final 2023: Hugh McCluggage weighs in on controversial advantage call

Brisbane teammates say Zac Bailey would not have intentionally taken the advantage after Lachie Neale won a crucial free kick in the final 90 seconds of the grand final.

Hugh McCluggage of the Lions is dejected after the Lions were defeated by the Magpies during the 2023 AFL Grand Final.

Star Lions midfielder Hugh McCluggage says there is no way Zac Bailey heard the umpire’s whistle for a free kick in the dying stages of Saturday’s heartbreaking grand final defeat to Collingwood.

It’s the controversial moment that for many Brisbane fans will define the 2023 grand final – the split-second decision to call advantage to Bailey after Lachie Neale had been awarded a free kick at the top of the forward 50 inside the final minute of one of the all-time great grand finals.

Bailey picked up the ball and, under pressure from multiple Collingwood players, snapped over his shoulder inside 50 with the Lions needing a goal to win the game.

But the Magpies were able to pounce on the quick kick and see out the contest, securing a record-equalling 16th premiership.

McCluggage said he had not watched the moment back to have an opinion on whether the advantage call should have been paid.

“I haven’t looked at it, to be honest,” he said.

“You could not hear a thing out there, so Bails wouldn’t have had any idea that the free kick was paid.

“There’s so many decisions throughout a game that can influence what happens and that’s just one of them.”

Hugh McCluggage, Cam Rayner and Lachie Neale after the final siren on grand final day. Picture Lachie Millard

McCluggage was arguably Brisbane’s best in the grand final defeat, finishing with 21 disposals and two goals.

But the 25-year-old said he found little solace in that fact and had spent the hours since the final siren agonising over every moment of the match.

“You think about every little thing you did and everything you did wrong in particular, because those little moments throughout a game can change the result, but there’s nothing we can do now,” McCluggage said.

“We can look at it, make sure we dust ourselves off and come back next year.”

How is that advantage? Disgraceful

Lions robbed #AFLGF

— Tom Rockliff (@rockwiz38) September 30, 2023

Chris Fagan has mastered the art of harnessing hurt and using it as a motivating tool for his playing group.

He did so before the finals series this season by replaying the 2022 preliminary final thrashing at the hands of Geelong – and the group responded by finally getting over the hurdle that had plagued them for four seasons.

McCluggage said there would be no need for Fagan to light the fire under the playing group after this one.

“I think it will happen naturally, to be honest,” he said.

“You saw the look on the boys’ faces when the siren went yesterday – we had to sit out there and watch the Pies boys celebrate.

“I don’t think he’ll have to manufacture too much. It will be inside all the boys and the drive will be there to get better next year, for sure.”