Is Hugh McCluggage one of most underrated players in the AFL outside of Brisbane?
The Lions vice-captain was in a league of his own on Thursday night, turning in one of the more remarkable performances of his career to salvage a 13.13 (90) to 11.6 (72) triumph of Essendon.
Hugh McCluggage of the Lions in action.Credit: via Getty Images
Based on these exploits, how has he never garnered an All Australian jumper?
His 41 disposals – at 73 per cent efficiency – was a career high, while his 12 score involvements, 13 inside 50s, 17 contested possessions and seven clearances continued to exemplify his tremendous work rate.
Even as their rivals came at them coming out of the main break, eradicating the 26-point halftime deficit to briefly hit the front, McCluggage continued to rally his troops.
He was brilliantly supported by Will Ashctoft, who nabbed 12 of his 30 disposals in the final quarter to wrestle back the momentum after the Bombers threatened to orchestrate a boilover.
“He’s probably worked harder on the pressure, defensive side of his game, both to get his body stronger but also to get involved more in that,” Lions coach Chris Fagan said.
“He’s always been really good with the ball, but he’s one who is forever trying to improve. We talk about All Australians, I hope at some point he wins one because he’s been such a consistent player for us for the last six years really.
“What he does now and the leadership he displays around the footy club, he goes about it in a quiet manner, but jeez he’s effective. He’s a silent assassin out there really.”
Lohmann breaks his scoring drought
In what has been a disrupted start to the year, Kai Lohmann at last broke his goalless streak.
Ankle and shoulder concerns have hampered the 22-year-old, as he struggled to replicate the hero who kicked four goals in the club’s grand final win last year.
Against the Bombers, he nailed three, to go with 15 disposals and a pair of goal assists – imposing himself on the contest to far greater effect.
Even on the stroke of halftime, he laid on a pinpoint kick for fellow energiser bunny Logan Morris, whose remarkable sideline snap stopped an Essendon flurry as they battled to get back into the contest with halftime momentum.
Kai Lohmann of the Lions celebrates a goal.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
While Lohmann hobbled off for a period after rolling his ankle, Fagan confirmed he would not miss any game time in a promising sign he would at last get the opportunity to build into his season.
“He turned the corner last week, I thought there were some good signs, and he got his pressure game back a little bit, and it was there again tonight,” Fagan said.
“I’m hopeful he really gets some confidence back because it has been difficult for him. He set a high bar for himself last year, he’s been injured a lot.”
Great’s son makes his own name
In the Lions charge to last year’s flag, plenty was made of how the club’s rising stars had injected energy, flair and class into their assault after a sluggish start to the season.
While Ashcroft, Lohmann and Morris attracted the most attention, Jaspa Fletcher quietly went about his business and built his game.
Jaspa Fletcher of the Lions is pressured by the defence.Credit: Getty Images
The son of Bears and Lions great Adrian Fletcher is well and truly reaping the rewards of that progressive build, and his career-best campaign continued against the Bombers.
The 21-year-old has shown a desire to push further forward this year, and he did so again early to kick a crisp snap for goal, which triggered a Brisbane first-quarter procession en route to a 32-point lead at the break.
Last year, Fletcher was consistent but failed to hit the 20 disposal mark in any clash. This year, he has done so eight times, with his 21 against the Bombers his sixth game straight hitting the milestone.
Mid-game lapse rears again
It may not have been as reminiscent of their capitulation against the Melbourne Demons, but Fagan will no doubt be out to shut down his side’s inability to sustain their first quarter ascendancy.
While he hinted the five-day turnaround from their win against Hawthorn may inject a risk of fatigue creeping in, there were no signs of that coming out of the gates at the Gabba.
Charlie Cameron looked ominous early, kicking the first goal, and he was quickly joined among the majors by Fletcher, Lohmann, Cam Rayner and Callum Ah Chee.
But from there, the clash became an arm wrestle, with Essendon’s Jye Caldwell (30 disposals, 10 clearances and a goal) and Nic Martin (two goals, 29 disposals, four clearances) looking particularly dangerous of shocking the premiers.
Noah Answerth of the Lions kicks a goal.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
It took Noah Answerth nailing a clutch strike from 50 metres out with less than three minutes on the clock to put the game to bed, after Eric Hipwood, Darcy Gardiner, Morris and Lohmann had kept the scoreboard ticking over enough to prevent the Bombers from running away.
The move to bestow Josh Dunkley with the duties of marking Caldwell proved a masterstroke in stemming the flow, with Fagan lauding him “the king of the one-percenter”.
Despite the suddenly daunting task they faced, Fagan still expressed his “relief” his Lions were able to remain “composed” and not allow the momentum shift to get the better of them.
“Up until halftime we were doing really well in the contest, but dropped away. Our pressure dropped away, our hunt dropped away, but we found it in the last quarter,” Fagan said.
“You can’t have it all your own way. I thought a few weeks ago when it happened we got a little bit panicky, and we were aware of the scoreboard too much.
“There was good composure from the group just to build the ball up and get scores, and I liked that about us.”
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