The competitive streak of emerging star Hugh McCluggage drives teammates into hiding
Brisbane players wouldn’t even play table tennis with emerging youngster Hugh McCluggage at their pre-season camp - such is his competitive edge. But the Lions sure don’t mind mentality on the footy field.
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Whatever shape Brisbane’s AFL campaign takes in 2020, Hugh McCluggage will be at the pointy end of it.
The Lions are set to open their season against Hawthorn at an empty MCG next Sunday after the AFL opted to push ahead with no crowds due to the coronavirus.
McCluggage, 22, was one of Brisbane’s best in 2019 when they roared up the ladder and was unlucky not to snare All-Australian honours.
After being selected by Brisbane with pick No.3 at the 2016 draft, McCluggage has rarely played a bad game on the wing in his 63 senior matches and will spend more time in the midfield in 2020 after an eye-catching pre-season.
He has been added to Brisbane’s leadership group with his lofty standing inside the four walls of the Gabba matched by his strong competitive streak that can send his teammates into hiding.
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At Brisbane’s pre-season camp in Hobart in January, he sent a message out asking if anybody wanted a hit of table tennis at the University of Tasmania’s student facilities.
Nobody showed up leaving McCluggage to abandon the ping pong paddle and join a spirited game of cricket.
“Yeah, the boys hung me out to dry there a little bit, didn’t they?’’ McCluggage laughs.
“I probably get a little bit competitive though. I’m sure it annoys some people when I do it.’’
But nobody at the Lions minds the way McCluggage goes about his football which he hopes to take to another level.
“There’s always parts of your game that you can improve, for me it’s about having that consistency through games. You’ve also got to be more than a one-dimensional player these days and have the ability to play a variety of roles,’’ McCluggage said.
“I’m trying to get inside a bit more and win my own footy.
“It’s pretty exciting to be a part of the leadership group too and nice to be recognised by your peers.
“I was pretty quiet when I first got here and I wasn’t sure where I sat but I’ve made that natural progression and felt more comfortable within the group.
“I’m really looking to learn off the experienced guys in the leadership group to help take my game forward.’’
McCluggage and his great mate Jarrod Berry are at the heart of Brisbane’s ‘generation next’ with their leadership on and off the field reinforcing the tight-knit bond in the Lions playing group.
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“Bez (Berry) has always been quite a strong leader, through his junior days he was captain at North Ballarat, and he really pulls people along with him,’’ he said.
“We are both pretty competitive people and we want the club to do well so little things like training together before pre-season starts can be important.
“We live together and when we do things, it drags other people in which is a good thing. It’s not a conscious thing but part of leadership is leading by example.
“Most of us on the list have moved away from home so you end up being close to a lot of your teammates because you don’t know anybody else when you get here.
“I reckon it’s easier to give strong feedback when you are close mates with someone. Because you have those good relationships, you know it is coming from the right place.
“That is a big part of the culture we are trying to build here.’’
Originally published as The competitive streak of emerging star Hugh McCluggage drives teammates into hiding