Brisbane Lions head coach Chris Fagan has expressed confidence in star midfielder Hugh McCluggage ahead of the team’s upcoming grand final against Geelong. McCluggage, who has made a significant impact in previous matches, will seek to overcome a challenging tagging strategy employed by Geelong, especially after a subdued performance in their last encounter.
In the preliminary final, McCluggage showcased his talent with 37 possessions, 10 clearances, and a goal, leading Brisbane to a decisive 15.10 (100) to 11.5 (71) victory over Collingwood. His performance was a stark contrast to the qualifying final, where Oisin Mullin of Geelong effectively limited him to just 14 disposals, marking his least productive outing since the start of the season.
Fagan acknowledged McCluggage’s disappointment following that game, stating, “He was really disappointed with the way that he played that last game against Geelong. He’s been tagged before this year, but probably not like that.” The coach emphasized that McCluggage has worked diligently to adapt and improve, noting, “Huey’s gone to work on that ever since that happened.”
Potential Returns and Team Dynamics
As the Lions prepare for their third consecutive grand final, they may benefit from the return of dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale. Initially ruled out for up to six weeks due to a calf injury, Neale’s chances of playing against Geelong are now considered promising. His contribution will be crucial, especially given his standout performance in last year’s grand final.
Fagan is also faced with decisions regarding Jarrod Berry, who dislocated his shoulder for the second time in five weeks and was substituted during the match against Collingwood. In addition, Josh Dunkley and Ty Gallop are recovering from injuries sustained during the preliminary final but are expected to participate in the grand final.
The Lions have demonstrated resilience in overcoming injuries, with six players who participated in last year’s grand final absent due to various reasons. This includes the retirement of Joe Daniher and injuries to key players such as Neale, Jack Payne, Eric Hipwood, and Noah Answerth.
Remarkably, in just his fifth game, teenager Ty Gallop scored three goals, while fellow 19-year-olds Sam Marshall and Levi Ashcroft showed composure in front of a crowd of 96,023 fans. Fagan remarked on the promising future of the team, saying, “We shouldn’t take it for granted, but with so many young players playing, and a lot of them having already played a lot of finals footy, the future is bright.”
Grand Final Preparations and Historical Context
The Lions are preparing for the grand final with a strategy reminiscent of last year’s successful campaign, which ended a 21-year premiership drought. After defeating Collingwood, the team returned to Brisbane but will fly back to Melbourne on Wednesday for the grand final.
Brisbane has become the first team since Hawthorn to reach three consecutive grand finals, a significant achievement in the AFL. This matchup against Geelong marks a historic moment, as the winner will become the first team to secure five premierships in the 21st century.
As the grand final approaches, all eyes will be on McCluggage as he seeks to silence any doubts regarding his ability to handle Geelong’s tagging strategies. The determination shown by both players and coaching staff reflects the Lions’ commitment to success on the biggest stage in Australian Rules Football.
