AFL finals: Hugh McCluggage on form revival, Lachie Neale and Brisbane’s qualifying final win

The loss of rising star favourite Will Ashcroft to a cruel knee injury has proven a defining moment in Brisbane’s season, helping another on-baller rediscover his elite form.

Hugh McCluggage, Charlie Cameron and Eric Hipwood. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

When Brisbane needed a spark in the second quarter against Port Adelaide on Saturday night, Hugh McCluggage was the man for the moment.

The vice-captain’s holding the ball tackle and subsequent goal to extend the Lions’ narrow lead before halftime gave the home side the breathing space it needed to kick away in the second half and book a home preliminary final next weekend.

The 25-year-old earned the maximum coaches votes after clocking off with 26 disposals, nine clearances and a goal in the 48-point thumping that put Brisbane one win away from a first grand final since 2004.

With skipper Lachie Neale well-held in the early stages by Power stopper Willem Drew, Brisbane needed the rest of the midfield to stand up when the game was on the line and McCluggage responded in-kind.

Hugh McCluggage celebrates a goal during Brisbane's qualifying final win. Picture: Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“I think we were solid. Everyone did what they had to do,” McCluggage said.

“The thing that stood out for me was the even performance of everyone. There wouldn’t have been a player that walked off the ground having not done their job for us and played a really solid game, and that’s what you have to do in finals.”

Since rookie standout Will Ashcroft went down with a season-ending ACL in round 18, McCluggage has moved on-ball and flourished.

Not only has he found plenty of the footy and become a key cog in the Lions’ clearance game, he has also gotten forward and kicked six goals in the past seven matches.

The seventh-year starter holds himself to incredibly high standards and conceded he felt he was below his best at stages this season but has been able to work his way through it to hit form at the perfect time.

McCluggage kicks under pressure from Dan Houston. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“I think I have definitely improved on the basics in my game in the back half of the year,” McCluggage said.

“I’ve been cleaner, I think my ball use has been better … with the positional change, playing a little bit more inside you’ll be around the contest more which means you’ll have a few more possessions.

“But I still felt like as a wingman and a forward early in the year I was letting myself down with a few parts of my game that I considered non-negotiables and that had nothing to do with the position I was playing.”

Both Neale and coach Chris Fagan last week declared the Lions don’t need their superstar skipper to be at his brilliant best to win matches and the proof was on full display at the weekend.

Lachie Neale and Chris Fagan. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

McCluggage said it was testament to Neale’s leadership and desire to deliver a flag to the club that he toiled tirelessly on Saturday night to make an impact on the game.

“You never like to see one of your best players get tagged, but when he’s able to do the things that he did on Saturday night – block for teammates, work really hard and not let it affect the way he’s working, it definitely helps other players get off the chain a little bit,” McCluggage said.

“If Lachie sat back and accepted defeat when he gets tagged every week it would be tough for us guys (the other midfielders) to have any impact.

“It’s as much his good work as it is the rest of us doing anything extra special when he is getting tagged.

“Ever since he’s been here he’s had the team goal of winning a premiership in the forefront of his mind.”