Latest news with #McCluggage
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Unspoken rule behind Brisbane Lions' AFL revival
Hugh McCluggage can only imagine how hard it would have been to tell his Brisbane Lions teammates he was leaving. 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. Hugh McCluggage can only imagine how hard it would have been to tell his Brisbane Lions teammates he was leaving. 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. Hugh McCluggage can only imagine how hard it would have been to tell his Brisbane Lions teammates he was leaving. 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.
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Why milestone man isn't finished just yet
Brisbane Lions star Hugh McCluggage is showing no signs of slowing down as he approaches his 200th AFL appearance, saying he is constantly evolving as a player as he adds 'layers' to his game. Still only 27, McCluggage – who chalks up his double century of top-flight games on Friday night against the Western Bulldogs at the Gabba – is arguably in career-best form in his ninth season of AFL football. 'As an inside midfielder, I've been able to have a good balance of contested work and uncontested work and (been) trying to add different layers to my game every year,' the Warrnambool product said. '(It has been) a bit of defensive stuff this year that I've worked on alongside Josh Dunkley and Lachie (Neale), and the other mids, and I'm always trying to improve. 'That's what keeps me motivated to keep playing for as long as I can. 'I've been pretty lucky being able to play a lot of games in a row since I debuted (in April 2017 against St Kilda).' Including his debut game, McCluggage has played in 199 of Brisbane's past 204 matches. 'I've only missed a handful, so it's a testament to all the hard work but also the work of everyone else around the club to help get me to this milestone, and hopefully there's plenty more to come,' he said. However, only nine of McCluggage's first 40 appearances ended up wins for Brisbane, as the Lions struggled in his first two seasons at the club. Other players in his situation might have asked for a trade to a Victorian club, which would have given him the chance to not only return home but also potentially taste more success. But McCluggage had no intention of turning his back on his Brisbane teammates and Chris Fagan, who remains the only head coach he has played under at AFL level. 'I could see that it was a really tight group. We had some really good leaders here already that probably just hadn't had the opportunity to play in the good side, so I was really keen to help guys like 'Zorks' (Dayne Zorko) and 'Frog' (Ryan Lester) play in some finals,' he said. 'Helping those guys achieve what they deserved was one of the motivating factors, and then also how close I was with guys like Jarrod Berry, Cam Rayner, Zac Bailey, 'Zorks', 'Frog', Dizz (Darcy Gardiner), Harris (Andrews) … the list goes on. 'They helped us when we first got here, we became really close, we've learned a lot of lessons along the way, and I think if you achieve success with people that you've gone through the ups and downs with, there's nothing that can compare to that. 'Probably in our wildest dreams we couldn't imagine we'd do what we've done in terms of the consistency that we've been able to play at, and winning a premiership as well is pretty special.' McCluggage also paid tribute to 'father figure' Fagan. 'In all the ups and the downs, he's been there the whole time. He wraps an arm around you when he when he realises that you need it, but he also is someone that can challenge you, and he's always wanted to help me grow in that way,' he said of the man who guided Brisbane to last season's flag. 'I couldn't imagine having anyone else as a coach because I've had him the whole time, and I've just really enjoyed working with him day in, day out.'
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Unspoken rule behind Brisbane Lions' AFL revival
Hugh McCluggage can only imagine how hard it would have been to tell his Brisbane Lions teammates he was leaving. 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.
Agriland
04-06-2025
- Business
- Agriland
UFU: ‘Alarming absence' of clear communication on A5 project
The Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) has highlighted the challenges and 'prolonged disruption' faced by farm families due to the ongoing A5 Western Transport Corridor project. The UFU addressed the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (AERA) and the Committee for Infrastructure at Stormont yesterday (June 3). It said that it recognises the significance of the project, particularly its potential impact on road safety and regional connectivity. However, the UFU has concerns regarding the scheme's impact on agricultural business, land vesting and the 'dire lack of communication' from government departments and contractors. A5 project The UFU's technical and communications manager, James McCluggage believes that there is an 'alarming absence' of consistent communication from all parties involved. McCluggage said: 'Farmers and their appointed agents are reporting a significant communication breakdown. There are few 'liaison officers' on the ground, leaving landowners without a direct point of contact for their numerous questions and problems. 'Also, road contractors are consistently failing to inform landowners about works affecting their land, leading to frustration about construction schedules, access arrangements and business implications.' The UFU also told the committees that it has concerns about the vesting process and compensation. 'Landowners are demanding transparency on the vesting price, with a clear rationale provided by the district valuer. Many have seen their land vested and works commence, yet they are still awaiting any compensation or even a valuation,' McCluggage explained. 'This is simply unacceptable. We are also deeply concerned about the economic impact this is already having on farmers, with a noticeable decrease in production this year.' According to McCluggage, there was 'significant' confusion for some farmers when updating their maps before the Single Application Form (SAF) deadline on May 15. He said: 'There needs to be some form of force majeure provision for these landowners this year, as mistakes may understandably have been made due to the ongoing disruption. 'We stressed the urgent need for clarity on the planning of essential permanent infrastructure, such as new farm sheds, at an early stage, with the full authority of the Planning Service NI. 'The current method for calculating process contributions in planning applications, particularly for upgrading or replacing existing agricultural infrastructure, is flawed.
7NEWS
30-05-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Brisbane's ‘silent assassin' Hugh McCluggage stamps All-Australian credential in Essendon win
Brisbane's 'silent assassin' has finally revealed himself, with Hugh McCluggage's career night grinding the Lions further towards a premiership defence and his own, overdue All-Australian blazer. The midfielder had a career-best 41 touches in his 194th AFL game in Thursday's 18-point defeat of Essendon at the Gabba. He added 13 inside 50s, 17 contested possessions, 12 score involvements and four tackles as the Lions held off the Bombers' spirited fightback. In his ninth AFL season, McCluggage has been a crucial piece of the Lions' rise from the cellar to the penthouse but he has never worn the blazer. Brisbane coach Chris Fagan hopes that comes soon, the 27-year-old adding some defensive intent to his silky distribution this year. 'Huge. That's a big game. He's worked harder on his pressure, defensive side of his game,' he said of McCluggage, whose six tackles a game this season is almost double his career average. 'He's always been good with the ball and is forever trying to improve. 'We talk about All-Australians. I hope at some point in time he wins one. 'He's been such a consistent player for us for the last six years. 'He goes about it in a quiet manner but gee he's effective, a silent assassin out there, really.' McCluggage and midfielder partner Josh Dunkley had the answers on Thursday in a 13.12 (90) to 11.6 (72) after the Bombers had come from 32 points behind to lead by one in the final term. It meant they avoided another slip-up to a team outside the top eight after losses to Melbourne and a draw with North Melbourne in recent weeks. They are 4-1 against top-eight sides though, Fagan excited for an eight-day break before meeting fourth-placed Adelaide on the road next Friday. They then host the Giants before a game in Geelong and a round-16 bye. 'Our boys will look forward to that; we've performed pretty well against the other sides in the top eight,' he said. Three of the past four premiership winning sides have missed the finals in the subsequent year, while 2021 winners Melbourne made the following post-season but lost both finals games. The Lions (9-2-1) are on track to buck that trend, grinding through the gears with a smattering of AFL talent yet to return from injury. 'Geez, at this time of the year, you're just happy to get the wins,' Fagan said.
