Unspoken rule behind Brisbane Lions' AFL revival
The 27-year-old is in arguably career-best form ahead of his 200th AFL game, against Western Bulldogs on Friday.
The first player drafted, at pick No.3 in 2016, by new coach Chris Fagan, McCluggage and the Lions finished last in 2017 and 15th in 2018.
What's happened since has exceeded even McCluggage's "wildest dreams", the Lions finishing second in 2019 and, after years of going close, winning a flag last year.
McCluggage extended his initial deal until 2024 and then defied keen interest elsewhere to sign a seven-year deal tying him to the Lions until 2031.
"I could see it was a tight group, and I was keen to help Zorks and Frog and those guys play in some finals, that was probably the aim at the start when sitting on the bottom," McCluggage said of his bond with veterans Dayne Zorko and Ryan Lester that first motivated the Victorian to remain in Brisbane.
"In our wildest dreams we couldn't imagine what we've done."
McCluggage, childhood mate Jarrod Berry, Zac Bailey and Cameron Rayner head a list of loyal Lions that have resisted the pull to return home.
As the Lions (second, 12-4-1) craft their push for back-to-back flags, McCluggage said Fagan and his staff had fostered an environment that was hard to leave.
"We never spoke about it (directly once, but it was one of those things you knew if you were to leave it'd be pretty hard to look them in the eyes and say, 'I'm going to go home'," McCluggage said.
"We're extremely close, Bez (Berry) is in the same camp as that and also Big O (Oscar McInerney); we've been here the whole time he (Fagan) has.
"A bit of a father figure to us … wraps an arm around you when he realises you need it but he is someone who can challenge you, and he's always wanted to help me grow in that way."
Always a potent distributor, McCluggage has worked on his defence and become a menacing goal-kicking threat at stoppages to present a lively case for maiden All Australian honours this season.
So impactful has McCluggage been that he's even attracted tags ahead of two-time Brownlow Medallist teammate Lachie Neale.
"It's been a different challenge for me," he said of that attention.
"Lucky I have Lachie to lean on … it's (being tagged) something that's a badge of honour.
"I can trust that if I'm getting tagged out of the game then someone ... will go into the midfield and do what needs to be done."
That battle will be key at the Gabba on Friday against a Bulldogs side one win outside the top eight.
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Perth Now
6 minutes ago
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'Easy target' Lynagh leans on dad, ready for round two
The Wallabies have rallied around "easy target" Tom Lynagh, adamant he can manufacture a series comeback after a bruising welcome to the Test No.10 jersey. The 22-year-old son of former Wallabies great Michael started for the first time at flyhalf in Saturday's 27-19 loss to the British and Irish Lions in Brisbane. His team steamrolled in the first half, Lynagh was forced to play off the back foot as he scrambled, schemed and copped an inevitable defensive battering. His kicking game was hit-and-miss and Lynagh had some threatening moments running at the line, but coach Joe Schmidt applauded his work, considering the dominance of the Lions' pack. "They targeted him through their big ball carriers and also targeted him in the air," said scrumhalf and Queensland Reds teammate Tate McDermott, who shone as a second-half replacement. "He communicated well, defended valiantly and he's going to be in the firing line again. "The boys have seen the warrior Tommy is. "We know he has a great kicking game, but he showed fight and courage, which is really important from the general, and guys are going to look towards that in coming weeks." Smiling through the punishment, Lynagh has welcomed round two on July 26 in Melbourne, where the Wallabies must win to force a Sydney decider and stave off chatter of the first 3-0 win in the country since 1904. "It was always something I wanted to do, follow in my dad's footsteps, so I'm sort of living the dream now," he said, 36 years after his father wore the No.10 against the Lions. UK-based Michael arrived in Brisbane on Friday night and caught up with his son on Saturday morning to deliver his usual message. "Just keep it simple, don't overplay your hand. That message never changed from when I was 13," Tom said. Lynagh came in for the injured Noah Lolesio, a regular starter at No.10 under Schmidt who is out with a long-term neck injury before shifting to Japan next season. The unflustered customer lived up to his reputation despite the grand stage and imposing challenge after just three Test appearances off the bench. "No nerves ... no point to prove, just go out and play my game," he said. "I've always sort of been like that, try to be as relaxed as possible. "It's part of the job; you've got to toughen up in games like that, can't shy away from anything. "My position, my build; I'm an easy target and I know that ... it's just my job." McDermott, who pressed his case to start ahead of Jake Gordon in Melbourne with a trademark darting try, said his team took plenty from their second-half performance. "The belief was there the whole week, but might have been dented a bit after the way the Lions came out of the blocks," he said. "We can take a lot out of that second half, for sure, and we need do. "We just need to continue to look at ways to get into games."
The Advertiser
6 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
'Easy target' Lynagh leans on dad, ready for round two
The Wallabies have rallied around "easy target" Tom Lynagh, adamant he can manufacture a series comeback after a bruising welcome to the Test No.10 jersey. The 22-year-old son of former Wallabies great Michael started for the first time at flyhalf in Saturday's 27-19 loss to the British and Irish Lions in Brisbane. His team steamrolled in the first half, Lynagh was forced to play off the back foot as he scrambled, schemed and copped an inevitable defensive battering. His kicking game was hit-and-miss and Lynagh had some threatening moments running at the line, but coach Joe Schmidt applauded his work, considering the dominance of the Lions' pack. "They targeted him through their big ball carriers and also targeted him in the air," said scrumhalf and Queensland Reds teammate Tate McDermott, who shone as a second-half replacement. "He communicated well, defended valiantly and he's going to be in the firing line again. "The boys have seen the warrior Tommy is. "We know he has a great kicking game, but he showed fight and courage, which is really important from the general, and guys are going to look towards that in coming weeks." Smiling through the punishment, Lynagh has welcomed round two on July 26 in Melbourne, where the Wallabies must win to force a Sydney decider and stave off chatter of the first 3-0 win in the country since 1904. "It was always something I wanted to do, follow in my dad's footsteps, so I'm sort of living the dream now," he said, 36 years after his father wore the No.10 against the Lions. UK-based Michael arrived in Brisbane on Friday night and caught up with his son on Saturday morning to deliver his usual message. "Just keep it simple, don't overplay your hand. That message never changed from when I was 13," Tom said. Lynagh came in for the injured Noah Lolesio, a regular starter at No.10 under Schmidt who is out with a long-term neck injury before shifting to Japan next season. The unflustered customer lived up to his reputation despite the grand stage and imposing challenge after just three Test appearances off the bench. "No nerves ... no point to prove, just go out and play my game," he said. "I've always sort of been like that, try to be as relaxed as possible. "It's part of the job; you've got to toughen up in games like that, can't shy away from anything. "My position, my build; I'm an easy target and I know that ... it's just my job." McDermott, who pressed his case to start ahead of Jake Gordon in Melbourne with a trademark darting try, said his team took plenty from their second-half performance. "The belief was there the whole week, but might have been dented a bit after the way the Lions came out of the blocks," he said. "We can take a lot out of that second half, for sure, and we need do. The Wallabies have rallied around "easy target" Tom Lynagh, adamant he can manufacture a series comeback after a bruising welcome to the Test No.10 jersey. The 22-year-old son of former Wallabies great Michael started for the first time at flyhalf in Saturday's 27-19 loss to the British and Irish Lions in Brisbane. His team steamrolled in the first half, Lynagh was forced to play off the back foot as he scrambled, schemed and copped an inevitable defensive battering. His kicking game was hit-and-miss and Lynagh had some threatening moments running at the line, but coach Joe Schmidt applauded his work, considering the dominance of the Lions' pack. "They targeted him through their big ball carriers and also targeted him in the air," said scrumhalf and Queensland Reds teammate Tate McDermott, who shone as a second-half replacement. "He communicated well, defended valiantly and he's going to be in the firing line again. "The boys have seen the warrior Tommy is. "We know he has a great kicking game, but he showed fight and courage, which is really important from the general, and guys are going to look towards that in coming weeks." Smiling through the punishment, Lynagh has welcomed round two on July 26 in Melbourne, where the Wallabies must win to force a Sydney decider and stave off chatter of the first 3-0 win in the country since 1904. "It was always something I wanted to do, follow in my dad's footsteps, so I'm sort of living the dream now," he said, 36 years after his father wore the No.10 against the Lions. UK-based Michael arrived in Brisbane on Friday night and caught up with his son on Saturday morning to deliver his usual message. "Just keep it simple, don't overplay your hand. That message never changed from when I was 13," Tom said. Lynagh came in for the injured Noah Lolesio, a regular starter at No.10 under Schmidt who is out with a long-term neck injury before shifting to Japan next season. The unflustered customer lived up to his reputation despite the grand stage and imposing challenge after just three Test appearances off the bench. "No nerves ... no point to prove, just go out and play my game," he said. "I've always sort of been like that, try to be as relaxed as possible. "It's part of the job; you've got to toughen up in games like that, can't shy away from anything. "My position, my build; I'm an easy target and I know that ... it's just my job." McDermott, who pressed his case to start ahead of Jake Gordon in Melbourne with a trademark darting try, said his team took plenty from their second-half performance. "The belief was there the whole week, but might have been dented a bit after the way the Lions came out of the blocks," he said. "We can take a lot out of that second half, for sure, and we need do. The Wallabies have rallied around "easy target" Tom Lynagh, adamant he can manufacture a series comeback after a bruising welcome to the Test No.10 jersey. The 22-year-old son of former Wallabies great Michael started for the first time at flyhalf in Saturday's 27-19 loss to the British and Irish Lions in Brisbane. His team steamrolled in the first half, Lynagh was forced to play off the back foot as he scrambled, schemed and copped an inevitable defensive battering. His kicking game was hit-and-miss and Lynagh had some threatening moments running at the line, but coach Joe Schmidt applauded his work, considering the dominance of the Lions' pack. "They targeted him through their big ball carriers and also targeted him in the air," said scrumhalf and Queensland Reds teammate Tate McDermott, who shone as a second-half replacement. "He communicated well, defended valiantly and he's going to be in the firing line again. "The boys have seen the warrior Tommy is. "We know he has a great kicking game, but he showed fight and courage, which is really important from the general, and guys are going to look towards that in coming weeks." Smiling through the punishment, Lynagh has welcomed round two on July 26 in Melbourne, where the Wallabies must win to force a Sydney decider and stave off chatter of the first 3-0 win in the country since 1904. "It was always something I wanted to do, follow in my dad's footsteps, so I'm sort of living the dream now," he said, 36 years after his father wore the No.10 against the Lions. UK-based Michael arrived in Brisbane on Friday night and caught up with his son on Saturday morning to deliver his usual message. "Just keep it simple, don't overplay your hand. That message never changed from when I was 13," Tom said. Lynagh came in for the injured Noah Lolesio, a regular starter at No.10 under Schmidt who is out with a long-term neck injury before shifting to Japan next season. The unflustered customer lived up to his reputation despite the grand stage and imposing challenge after just three Test appearances off the bench. "No nerves ... no point to prove, just go out and play my game," he said. "I've always sort of been like that, try to be as relaxed as possible. "It's part of the job; you've got to toughen up in games like that, can't shy away from anything. "My position, my build; I'm an easy target and I know that ... it's just my job." McDermott, who pressed his case to start ahead of Jake Gordon in Melbourne with a trademark darting try, said his team took plenty from their second-half performance. "The belief was there the whole week, but might have been dented a bit after the way the Lions came out of the blocks," he said. "We can take a lot out of that second half, for sure, and we need do.
Sydney Morning Herald
36 minutes ago
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‘You've got to toughen up': Lynagh battered but not beaten
'Obviously the boys have seen just the warrior Tommy is. He's a small guy but he puts his body on the line. What we know is Tommy's got a great kicking game. But tonight he showed fight and he showed courage which is really important for him in general.' Post-game, Lynagh claimed he was 'still shaking with adrenaline' from the experience but he clearly processes the hormone well, given his relaxed demeanour and a revelation he felt no nerves before the game. Again, seemingly like his father, Tom Lynagh said he was not someone who gets overawed before a match, even if it is a starting Test debut at no.10 against the Lions at a sold-out Suncorp. And with the name Lynagh, and a nation, on his back. 'I've always sort of been like that. I just try to be as relaxed as possible and keep a calm head,' Lynagh said. 'No point to prove, just go out there and play my game. It was incredible experience. It's my first time playing at Suncorp when it's packed out. 'It's always something I wanted to do and follow in Dad's footsteps. So, I'm living the dream now. It's a proud moment for myself and my family.' The Lynaghs became the first father and son in history to both play Tests against the Lions. Asked about being physically targeted, Lynagh said: 'It's part of the job, mate. You've got to toughen up for games like this. You can't shy away from anything. 'My position, my build, it's an easy target and I know that. I've got to have my game where it's at that level. It's just my job.' Lynagh debuted last year but struggled with back and hamstring injuries, and wasn't selected for the spring tour. He went on Queensland's tour of Japan instead, and also joined Australia A in England. 'I don't think my body was ready last year. I struggled getting on the field a lot of the time. But to be in and around that environment and actually have a few caps in my name … I really thrived from that,' he said. 'I didn't make [the] spring tour, but went away with the Reds in Japan. I felt like a different person over there and took that to Super Rugby this year.' Lynagh, who grew up in England but moved to Queensland after school, said he always felt Australian but admitted his path being blocked at Harlequins by Lions rival Marcus Smith was a factor. The Wallabies now move to Melbourne, where they must win or the series is lost. There is a lot of improvement required, said McDermott. Loading 'We came here with a goal and we didn't achieve it. But we've got to get on the horse quick. We've only got six days to prepare for what's coming. It's going to be one of the biggest games of our lives,' he said. Unsuprisingly, the sanguine Lynagh is not panicking: 'We'll work away during the week. We've still got another two game. The series is still in the balance. It's not over yet.'
