By Jake Niall
Brisbane Lions gun Hugh McCluggage says his side learnt much from a review of last year’s narrow grand final loss to Collingwood, especially how to play the key moments in a game in which they “gave” the Magpies many goals.
McCluggage, who was among Brisbane’s best in the four-point grand final defeat, also said the Lions entered this weekend’s grand final believing they could win from any position – and that whatever the situation, they would play “bold” and fearless football.
Hugh McCluggage embraces Dayne Zorko in the rooms after the Lions’ preliminary final win.Credit: AFL Photos
“Yeah, we watched things we’d like to improve, we took a lot from that, so, yeah, a fair bit to learn from it,” the star midfielder/wingman said of his team’s review of the 2023 grand final.
Asked what had been the major lesson from the loss in the grand final, McCluggage said: “The moments, just making sure that you’re reliable to your teammates in those moments ... we gave them a lot of goals, I suppose. So yeah, that was one of the biggest things.”
McCluggage said the Lions had learnt from both last year’s grand final and finals, and this year’s close encounters, having come from behind – overcoming a record 44-point deficit in the first semi-final (v GWS), and then from 19 points in arrears at half-time on Saturday against Geelong.
“A little bit of both, I think we’ve had tight games during this year where we’ve had to fight from behind, (and) we’ve had games where we’ve had to hold a lead. We just know that, whatever the situation we get in, ... [they would be] bold and playing fearlessly and see what happens.
“It’s good because you’ve been there and you’ve experienced a grand final. But at the same time no one deserves to win a grand final, and we know that. Sydney were there two years ago and they’re going to be just as hungry as us. We’re going to turn up and keep playing, keep playing the way we’re playing.”
McCluggage, who signed a massive seven-year contract this year, said the Lions had belief they could win from any position on the scoreboard, having built momentum in comeback victories. “Yeah definitely ... in any spot we’re in we think we can do it.”
McCluggage said the Lions had changed their method for moving the ball in the second half against the Cats, in what became an epic preliminary final. Brisbane had also defended better after the main break and been more efficient in attack.
“I couldn’t really tell you exactly what the defenders were doing. But for us, we were just a little bit more composed with our ball movement, built the ball up, used it, changed angles, that was really important to do that because Geelong like to get numbers back.”
The Lions star said the playing group was inspired by their senior coach Chris Fagan, who had piloted the club to another grand final. Fagan had endured criticism of his coaching and also the emotional toll from the Hawthorn racism investigation (in which he has denied all wrongdoing).
“I’m stoked for him, we all love him, he inspires us, he has trust in us to go out there ... and it’s not easy to win premierships, it’s not easy to make grand finals, it’s not even easy to make finals.
“We’ve been knocking on the door, so hopefully it’s this year and if it’s not, we’ll keep turning up because it’s what we do.”
The effort of ruckman Oscar McInerney to keep playing injured for a quarter or so – he had a twice dislocated shoulder – was “inspirational” as key forward Joe Daniher took over rucking duties.
“Joey went inside and he was great – he fights in there, he follows up, he gets the ball going forward, and then all the other forwards had to fight because Joey wasn’t playing forward against a really good opposition.”
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